Love Until Death Do Us Part novel Chapter 9

Athena was all claws and hisses at him, but Newman just scoffed. He had bulldozed his way into the Dempsey family's Mystic Ridge Villa, and he did need to make a personal visit to chat with Mr. Simon Dempsey, to nip any potential beef they might have with the Bradshaw Group in the bud.

Ten minutes later, Newman double-checked on Payne's situation. Stepping out from the hot spring building, there was a black Cayenne parked in the courtyard, its window rolling down to reveal Athena's pretty, radiant face.

"Newman, hop in."

Seeing Newman heading toward the back seat, Athena crossed her arms and gently reminded him with a smile, "Your spot's up front, buddy. Got your license? You can drive, right? The way down the mountain's kinda tricky, so you can take it slow."

With a simmering temper, Newman walked past the front of the car and slid into the driver's seat.

He buckled up, took a deep breath to calm himself, and caught sight of Athena's bold, beaming grin in the rearview mirror. Newman kept a poker face as his irritation bubbled up inside.

As the black Cayenne rolled out, the Bradshaw family's bodyguards at the gate did a double-take at the guy behind the wheel, and boy, did they jump!

The two guards exchanged a look, and only after the Cayenne had left did they start speculating.

"The Dempsey family's driver looks a helluva lot like our Mr. Bradshaw!"

"Yeah, dead ringer! Hahaha, scared the bejeezus outta me just now!"

Both were screaming inside, “We must be seeing things!!”

The big boss of Everglade City, Newman, being Ms. Dempsey’s chauffeur? As if!

Half an hour later, the black sedan pulled into the Dempsey family villa. Driving along the asphalt road lined with plane trees, circling the manicured flower beds and the fountain, the car finally came to a stop in front of the villa's grand entrance.

Dark clouds hung low, and a drizzle began to fall. Newman glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Athena looking at him with a smile, like a pampered pedigree cat waiting to be adored.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car. Newman grabbed the long-handled umbrella from the car door, reaching out to open the rear door for Athena.

His movements were smooth as silk, utterly graceful; beneath the curtain of rain, he was the epitome of a refined aristocrat.

Athena stepped out into the shelter of the big black umbrella, casting a glance at Newman, who held it for her, a mischievous triumph twinkling in her eyes. Newman turned his face away, the umbrella shielding Athena while half of his body got drenched.

The servant from the villa approached, noticing the pair at the stairs. Athena and Newman together, a picture-perfect couple that turned heads.

The servant didn’t recognize Newman, but this man, with his casual elegance and distinguished demeanor, didn’t look like any driver. While the servant was still daydreaming, Athena and Newman had already reached them.

"This is Newman."

Athena introduced him briefly, snapping the servant out of their daze, who quickly bent at the waist, "Newman, please come this way."

Athena and Newman followed the servant into the side hall, where they were told Zoey was having lunch with Simon.

Athena thought to herself, good thing she had eaten her fill before coming. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to stomach anything with Zoey's face in view.

Before they entered the side hall, a soft, inquiring voice reached them, "Is Athena coming over? Should I step out for a bit?"

Hearing this voice made Athena grit her teeth.

"Anna, step out for what? Is Athena a tiger or something? If she dares to be mean to you, I’ll…"

"Grandpa Simon, what are you planning to do to me? Kick me out of the house or make me kneel down?"

Athena breezed in, her voice bright and assertive. Sitting next to Simon, Anna stiffened up when she saw Athena.

Athena was dressed in a black, knitted turtleneck dress with a Y-shaped diamond belt cinching her waist, making her slim figure even more pronounced.