Athena actually laughed at Lewis's words. He was so blindly confident as if anyone needed him to survive. She wasn't like Nina, who clung to men like a parasite. Athena knew perfectly well she could live just fine without Lewis. For years, he had believed he was the one supporting her. He never realized she'd simply let him believe that lie. She didn’t need to rely on him. Not at all. Lewis thought his usual threats would make her fold. He shot Kit a cold glare and sneered, "You can barely take care of yourself. You really think that little boy toy is gonna support you?" Athena's patience snapped. "Are you done?" she said sharply. "Get out." Lewis's face twisted in anger, his jaw clenched so hard it trembled. "Athena, don't come crawling back later. I won't be soft on you again." She opened the door wide. "Don't let me keep you." Lewis threw her one last poisonous look before finally leaving. In his mind, she was done for. If she dared spend his money to keep a boy toy, he'd cut off every dime. When she hit rock bottom, she'd come crawling. He was certain of it. Divorce? Out of the question. Athena wasn't going anywhere. She'd always be trapped as his maid. When he was gone, the room finally grew quiet. The suffocating pressure lifted a little, but the atmosphere still felt heavy. Kit glanced at Athena's stormy expression and couldn't help himself. “Ms. Athena, if you hadn't stopped me, I would've flattened that jerk." Athena let out a dry, mocking laugh. "No rush. We'll get our chance." But first, she needed to sever the last tie. Lewis had made it clear he wouldn't agree to a divorce. Which meant she had only one route left—filing for one herself. He truly believed she had no power. That a housewife like her wouldn't dare file. And even if she did, his money and connections would crush her chances.Athena exhaled, weariness slipping through her voice. "I wish I could cut him off right this second." Every time she saw Lewis, she remembered him sneaking around with Nina. The disgust twisted inside her like a blade. "Not yet," Kit sighed. "We already have evidence of him and Nina cheating all these years. But the Belmonts have a whole army of lawyers. If we want the best outcome, we need tighter planning." He added, "You know the truth—law doesn't protect love. It only protects property. And even a cheating man's property is protected. We can't let you walk away empty-handed." Athena's eyes sharpened. She'd endured enough. One more month—just one—and everything would change. Lewis had already humiliated her moments ago. If she didn't fight back now, wouldn't she be admitting defeat? Eight years of lies. Not a day more. "Find out where Lewis is staying with Nina," she said coldly. "Yes, Ms. Athena."Kit moved quickly. Half an hour later, he handed her the address. Athena checked her phone and let out a short, cutting laugh. Lewis wasn't even trying to hide it—he had openly moved that homewrecker into his villa. Athena smirked. She wondered what his overbearing mother, Bridget, would think about this. She dialed Bridget's number and calmly invited her to celebrate her birthday at the villa tomorrow. Bridget had never liked her. Over the years, she'd scolded Athena countless times. Athena had swallowed every insult, believing one day she might earn acceptance. What a fool she'd been. Lewis didn't marry her for love. He married her to shield Nina. Bridget hated Nina, so he threw Athena into the line of fire—let her take the scolding, the humiliation, the suspicion. Let her be the cannon fodder while Nina enjoyed peace. Lewis loved Nina deeply. Always had. When Dion was born, Bridget softened only a little—just enough to tolerate Athena's presence. But Athena had always known the woman didn't truly accept her. Still, she worked tirelessly, hoping to be the perfect daughter-in-law. Lewis never defended her once. As Bridget began refusing the invitation, Athena added calmly, "Dion's been sick. He wants to see you." That did it. Bridget froze, then exploded. "How are you taking care of Dion? You let him fall sick? Useless woman! You're not fit to be his mother! If anything happens to my baby grandson, your life wouldn't be enough to pay for it!" Athena listened in silence, face cold, heart untouched. In the past, those words would've cut deep. She would've blamed herself, pushed herself harder to care for Dion. But now? It didn't matter. She wasn't fit to be his mother—because Dion wasn't her son. After half an hour of scolding, Bridget finally calmed down and agreed—grudgingly—to attend the dinner. Only then did Athena hang up. Kit, who had heard everything, stared at her in disbelief. Bridget's voice had been so sharp it practically pierced through the walls. “Ms. Athena," he asked carefully, "what exactly are you planning?" Athena slipped her phone into her pocket and smiled, slow and mocking. "Oh, nothing. Just playing matchmaker—helping my husband and Nina be together." … Nina had noticed these past few days that Lewis felt distant. She feared he might return to Athena. Lewis loved her deeply—she believed that completely—but who knew what tricks that bitch might pull to win him back? Nina refused to be careless. So today, she called Lewis and sweetly told him she would cook dinner. She asked him to come home early. Lewis agreed. Thrilled, Nina hung up and immediately ordered the housemaid to prepare the meal. She wasn't actually going to cook. Please—ruin her hands like some desperate housewife? She wasn't Athena. Nina was born to be pampered. To have Lewis all to herself tonight, she left Dion at the hospital with a nurse. Then she went out and bought a set of black lace lingerie—a guaranteed knockout. When the maids finished dinner, Nina dismissed them, leaving the entire villa quiet and empty. She slipped into her room and changed into the lingerie, then layered a sheer robe over it. Lewis loved the sheer look. Every time he saw her like this, he couldn't keep his hands off her. Perfect. Nina curled herself onto the couch in the living room, buzzing with excitement as she waited. She even picked up her phone to send Lewis a sweet text: "Lewis, I have a surprise for you tonight." Outside, night deepened. The city lights spilled through the windows.Ding-dong! Nina jumped up immediately. Lewis is home! Why would he ring the doorbell? Did he forget his keys? She didn't think twice and hurried to open the door with a seductive smile— But the moment the door swung open, her smile froze. It wasn't Lewis. It was Bridget, standing tall and furious, her sharp eyes landing squarely on Nina's see-through robe.