She Outshines Them All



After his call, Zayn returned to the kitchen and found Tina laughing with his younger siblings as they prepped dinner together. She fit in so naturally that it was hard to believe she was meeting his family for the first time.

His family clearly adored her-especially his mother, who looked at her with the warmth usually reserved for a daughter. Zayn couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly Tina had bonded with everyone.

At dinner, Tina savored each bite of the spread on the dining table, her face lighting up with every taste. She kept praising the food, delighting everyone at the table.

"I love to see your smile. Isn't there a saying that happiness is contagious?" Claire said with a smile. "If you enjoy our food that much, you're welcome anytime. Having you here is a joy, Tina"

Clasping her bowl with both hands like a child, Tina beamed back. "Thank you! I love it here with your family!"

Tina then continued to enjoy the food, feeling completely satisfied and full.

After dinner, Tina insisted on helping Arthur clean up, saying it would aid digestion since she preferred not to sit down right after eating.

Once Tina, Harry, and the others left around 9 p.m., Athena suddenly remembered something important. "Oh, I nearly forgot!" she said. "Matthew's gifting each of us a 'Miracle' car. Every family member gets one, whether they drive or not."

She paused, letting the news sink in, then added, "He's also including one for Luna as a wedding gift for her and Jaden. As for Grandpa and Grandma, I suggested just getting one for them since they are always together."

The room fell silent. Even Maria, who had been absorbed in her drama, looked up, and Arthur paused his game, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "A car? The Miracle?" Maria gasped, mouth agape.

Claire's eyes widened. "The one like yours, Athena? I heard the cheapest model costs over twenty million dollars!"

Still stunned, Arthur looked at Athena and said, "We are a big family, and he's giving everyone a car each?"

The entire family stared at Athena in shock until Jaden finally broke the silence. "Athena, why is Mr. Graham giving us such extravagant gifts?"Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

Having just been concerned about money, Brandon expressed his worries about the cost. "We can't accept something so valuable for nothing," he said.

Athena shrugged. "Matthew said I did him a huge favor, and he wants to repay me."

She continued, "Plus, he mentioned that our family's growing popularity could make us an easy target. The Miracle's safety features would help protect us while we're on the go."

Arthur huffed. "But why's he so concerned about our safety?"

Athena smiled knowingly. "Maybe he has a soft spot for us. Or perhaps, for me?"

Arthur dropped his phone, and everyone exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the moment settling over them. 'Could Matthew's gift be more than just gratitude?" he wondered. 'Is he planning to ask for Athena's hand?'

"We really can't accept this," Wesley said firmly. "Athena, if Mr. Graham wants to thank you, one car is enough. The rest of us haven't done anything for him."

Athena looked at her father, her expression determined. "Dad, please. This is for everyone's safety, and I'll find a way to repay Matthew."

She then added, "With everything going on, especially after what happened with Zayn, you haven't been sleeping well, right? This way, at least, we'll feel safer when we're out."

After a long pause, Wesley sighed and relented. "Alright, but only if we repay him somehow."

The family nodded in agreement, each wondering how they'd cover the cost of such expensive cars.

Athena smiled. "Alright, I'll talk to Matthew. We can set up a payment plan if it makes everyone feel better."

"If there are no other objections, I'll get Matthew to send the cars over in a few days for everyone," she continued.

Jaden and the other adults shared wary glances, each sensing that these cars might be Matthew's way of showing he was serious about Athena. Finally, Alaric scratched his head and voiced what everyone was thinking. "Athena, if we accept these cars, does that mean we're giving you to Matthew?"

The room fell silent as everyone turned to Athena, stunned.

Athena laughed, waving a hand. "Not at all. Consider it as Matthew paying for an entrance ticket into our family."

But as the family processed her words, they couldn't help but wonder if Matthew was, indeed, trying to "buy" his way into their lives.

Later that night, as the Donovans

retired to their respective rooms, all the men found themselves tossing, and turning in their beds, their minds

racing with thoughts of Matt

true intentions. Quietly, they wondered what he might be trying to do and, perhaps, even cursed his motives for the extravagant gifts.