The elders thought Athena was mentally unstable, but they couldn't deny that it was precisely this so-called lunatic who had revived the Aurellan family and brought them back to the peak.

Athena might be arrogant, stubborn, even mad, but her ability was something no one could deny.

At last, a female elder spoke softly: "Very well, deal with Sylus if you can—but before that, I hope you can uncover his secret."

Athena sneered, lips curling: "You should have let me do that when you first captured him."

None of the elders said a word.

The truth was, they were still worried and afraid. If Athena succeeded, she could push the Aurellan family one step further. But if she failed, they feared Sylus would take revenge.

Still, thinking carefully, Athena wasn't wrong. The Aurellan family was now flourishing like the midday sun, and no matter how strong Sylus was, he was still just a man. Immortality? So what? That would only bring him eternal torment if he fell into Athena's hands.

Having steadied their spirits, the elders began feeling hopeful about Athena's plan.

Athena glanced at the fools, their expressions shifting constantly, their thoughts written plainly across their faces, and she mocked them inwardly.

It was because they were this stupid that they had always leaned on Sylus's strength.

But she was different. To her, Sylus was only worthy of being a specimen on her laboratory table.

Athena smiled faintly. She raised her hand slightly, and G immediately lowered his head on the table, obediently closing his eyes, pressing his shaggy hair into Athena's palm.

Athena gently stroked his head. At the same time, the device in her hand began transmitting a recorded conversation.

"Sylus, we're lovers. You promised that once everything was over, you'd propose to me..."

Louis's voice rang out, clear and distinct.

G's eyes snapped open, narrowing dangerously. His mouth bared sharp teeth, a low growl rumbling out, looking ready to tear apart anything in his way.

Athena chuckled softly, then suddenly gripped G's hair. His eyes widened as heavy breaths slipped from his lips, his face flushing.

Patting his head, Athena whispered, "Don't be impatient. I'll make sure you have the honor of tearing out Louis's throat—but not yet."

G bowed his head, his voice rough: "Yes, master."

"Louis, Louis... you were so honest, and I treated you so well, yet your heart already belonged to someone else? How pitiful..."

Athena sighed, her eyes lowering as if in sorrow. Louis's appearance did suit her quite well, but a toy that refused to obey—Athena did not need for that.

"Give Louis to Joshua."

Athena spoke softly, delivering the final judgment. Joshua seemed to like Louis very much, so she would let him play with Louis to his heart's content—until the day Louis was meant to die.

"Yes, master," G replied obediently. After receiving Athena's command, he immediately left the room.

Even though it was daytime, Louis slept soundly, the perfect way to recover his strength.

But just then, the door was suddenly kicked open with a thunderous bang. The sound was so loud that even Louis, no matter how deeply asleep, instantly opened his eyes. Yet the next moment, he shut them again, remaining still.

Joshua rushed into the room, brimming with excitement. He strode forward, yanked away Louis's blanket, and laughed loudly: "Ha ha ha, Louis, Sister Athena has given you to me! From now on, you'll follow me. Get up, come on!"

Louis trembled slightly at those words. He lifted his gaze and immediately met Joshua's gray eyes.

The boy narrowed his eyes in a bright smile, baring a few sharp fangs—like a little demon.

Seeing Louis's fearful, trembling gaze, Joshua raised his brows slightly. Usually, if a slave dared to show that kind of expression, he would have already pulled the trigger without hesitation!

But Louis seemed to be an exception. At least for now, Joshua still had the patience to sit down, his small hand ruffling Louis's hair as he tried to comfort him: "Don't be afraid. I was only joking last time. Besides, I didn't really do anything to you, right?"

Louis pressed his lips together, avoiding Joshua's eyes. After a long silence, he finally spoke softly: "Has Athena grown tired of me already?"

Joshua frowned slightly at that. With a jolt, Louis's words made him realize that it felt as though he were playing with Athena's leftovers—yet he had been so thrilled about it.

Annoyed, he glared at Louis and jumped to his feet: "What's so bad about me, Louis? I can give you anything Sister Athena gave you! I'm no worse than her!"

By now, Louis had sat up. He faced Joshua, looking into those bloodshot eyes, not knowing whether they were red from anger or something else. The streaks of dried blood still marked his face, clearly untreated. Who knew what kind of psychological battle he had gone through since returning?

Suddenly, Louis raised his hand and touched the wound on Joshua's face.

Joshua flinched, wanting to push him away—but Louis's hand was gentle, warm. After all, no one had ever treated him so softly before.

Whenever Sister Athena patted his head, he felt like a venomous snake coiled around him, tongue flicking, savoring its prey.

The slaves feared him. Others looked at him with strange eyes.

He knew Sister Athena was right—without her, he was nothing. With his flawed body and chaotic mind, he could never be like her, no matter how desperately he wished to be...

"You're just you, Joshua. Honestly, you already shine brightly. You already hold great power. You don't need to prove anything." Louis spoke casually, as if it didn't matter.

Joshua's eyes widened at those words, suddenly lighting up. His nose stung, his eyes prickled—why did it feel like they were about to water?

His sister's shadow sheltered him, yet it was so heavy that it sometimes felt like it might crush him.

His sister was a towering mountain; he would forever be just a small, insignificant tree that no one noticed.

But today, someone had come to rest beneath that tree, speaking gently, telling him that he was enough and had value of his own...

"I... I don't need anyone's approval! Don't try to flatter me!"

He stomped his foot in anger, but Louis paid him no mind. His thoughts drifted elsewhere as he murmured: "In any case, as long as Athena exists, your position will never be shaken."

Louis's words were like a rude awakening, dragging Joshua out of a dream.

He stared at Louis's sorrowful profile, his gaze turning icy.

Louis was such a fool—yet he had fallen for Athena.

Joshua knew all too well that nothing but cruelty and ugliness lay beneath his sister's gentle, graceful exterior. And yet, this idiot just had to fall in love with that false shell.

Athena, Athena, Athena—it was always Athena!

Why did no one ever love him? Why was it always Athena? Why did no one ever look at him, only at Athena?

By her side, he seemed to vanish, invisible!

Could it be that if he sat in that seat, all eyes would finally turn to him...?

Yes, indeed, without a doubt. If he sat where Athena now occupied, everything she had would also belong to him!

Almost unconsciously, Joshua touched the dried blood on his face.

Sister Athena, Sister Athena... don't worry. Even if I sit in that seat, I'll treat you well—just like you treated me.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. The more he thought about it, the closer that day felt.

He could do it—he could. He knew he had the chance, because he had always been the favored heir, the one their parents had chosen.

Yes, that position should have been his all along. Ha ha ha! He had always been afraid, constantly terrified—but this time, his desire to climb to the highest seat, where every gaze would fall upon him, far outweighed that fear!

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