Meanwhile, at the gym inside Elegant Kings and Queens College, the vast space feels hollow, echoing with a silence that screams louder than noise.
Athena sits against the cold wall, legs folded to her chest. Her eyes are open but unfocused, staring at nothing. Tears slide down continuously, unchecked, as if her body has given up trying to stop them.
The door opens.
Footsteps approach and stop in front of her.
"I heard what happened to Madeline," Harvey says. "How is she now?"
No response.
Athena doesn't even blink.
Harvey studies her for a moment, his jaw tightening.
"I always thought you were the same as your mother," he continues coldly. "But I was wrong."
Still nothing.
"Because the woman I know—your mother—would never sit on the floor crying while her enemy breathes freely. She wouldn't waste tears when blood is what's owed."
That does it.
Athena's lips tremble.
"My whole life…" her voice finally breaks through, hoarse and uneven. "Except for my family… the only person who truly loved me was Madeline."
Her chest tightens painfully as the words spill out.
"When I was abandoned—when even my so-called paternal grandparents left me to fend for myself—she stayed. Every rough day. Every sleepless night. She stayed."
She chose me, Athena thinks bitterly. And I let her pay for it.
"I thought I was finally avenging my parents," Athena continues, tears choking her. "But I didn't realize I was turning myself into a machine. Nothing but revenge. No feelings. No restraint."
Her hands clutch her head as if trying to rip the thoughts out.
"Out of ignorance, I became impulsive. And now… my impulsiveness has put my only family at death's door."
Her voice collapses.
"I'm useless. I'm not worthy of being her friend."
For a second, there's silence.
Then Harvey speaks—and this time, his words are merciless.
"So what?" he snaps. "You'll sit here and rot?"
Athena looks up at him. Her eyes are empty. Hollow. Like something inside her has already died.
"What do you expect me to do?" she asks weakly. "I lost my family to BT Group. And in trying to avenge them, I dragged Madeline into hell with me. Is it until everyone I love dies that I finally understand I can't win against those bastards?"
Harvey laughs—but there is no humor in it.
"Then die with them," he says flatly.
"Because this version of you? This crying, shaking thing on the floor? She's already dead weight."
Athena's breath stutters.
"You think revenge is clean?" Harvey continues harshly. "You think it doesn't cost blood? Innocent blood? You think warriors are born gentle?"
He steps closer, his shadow swallowing her.
"Failure doesn't come from loss. It comes from hesitation. The moment you decide it's impossible, you've already surrendered. And as long as fear owns your heart, BT Group will continue to own your life."
Athena's lips part.
"I'm scared," she whispers.
I'm terrified, she thinks. Terrified that everyone I touch will bleed. Terrified that I'll become worse than them. Terrified that I already have.
Harvey doesn't soften.
"Good," he says. "Fear means you understand the stakes. But don't kneel to it. Use it."
He straightens.
"You don't need to be scared. You need to decide how far you're willing to go."
Something shifts.
Slowly, Athena rises to her feet.
Her tears stop.
Her eyes darken—not with sorrow, but with resolve so cold it's frightening.
If mercy leads to graves, she thinks, then I will abandon mercy.
"I'm ready," she says quietly. "Ready to put everything on the line."
Her voice is steady now. Sharp.
"If killing is what it takes… then I'll kill. If becoming a monster is the price… then I'll pay it."
She looks straight at Harvey.
"Please help me."
For the first time, Harvey nods.
"Even if you didn't ask, I would," he says.
"But wipe that broken look off your face. From today onward, weakness is a luxury you can't afford."
Athena bows her head slightly.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Harvey turns and walks away.
Athena remains standing.
No tears. No shaking.
Only a heart slowly freezing over—
and a ruthless, cold-blooded resolve awakening in the place where grief once lived.