The next morning, Athena arrived at the orphanage bright and early, her expression calm but her eyes burning with quiet fury.
The mont she stepped inside, Samantha and Joane approached her, their faces tense with worry.
"The boys are resting," Samantha said. "But their injuries… it's worse than we thought."
Athena nodded grimly. "I'll handle it."
She called her lawyer imdiately, demanding urgent action. Later that morning, she accompanied the boys to a nearby clinic for a dical checkup.
The doctor's frown deepened as he examined each child. Alden had bruised ribs, Darwin's arm was twisted from being shoved down the stairs.
Lester's back was covered in welts from what seed like belt marks. Zion and Kieth had swollen faces, split lips, and dark bruises trailing down their arms and legs.
"This is abuse," the doctor muttered, his voice cold with anger. "These boys need rest, care, and... justice."
Athena's jaw tightened. "They'll get it," she said firmly.
That sa day, Athena hired a private investigator to retrieve footage from the school's CCTV caras. Hours later, the files arrived, and what Athena saw made her blood boil.
The footage showed Alden cornered in the hallway, his bag ripped apart as a group of boys shoved him into the wall.
Darwin was thrown to the ground during recess while others jeered.
Lester had been yanked by his collar and slapped by one of his classmates, while Zion and Kieth were dragged across the schoolyard, dirt sared on their faces as they struggled against their attackers.
Worse still, several teachers were in clear view, watching, yet doing nothing. That night, Athena contacted three lawyers, specialists in child protection and education rights.
The next morning, they gathered at the school's gates, ard with evidence. Athena's steps were asured and composed as she strode through the halls.
The children in uniform stared as the unfamiliar visitors passed by. Whispers followed her like shadows, but Athena didn't falter.
The faculty room door swung open with a sharp creak. Teachers lounged on worn-out couches, sipping coffee and gossiping.
The air slled faintly of cheap air freshener, yet the atmosphere reeked of arrogance.
"I'd like to speak to Andrea Gin," Athena announced coolly.
A woman with short, sleek hair and sharp eyes glanced up from her papers. She smiled, the kind that didn't reach her eyes. "And you are?"
"Athena Derin." Her voice was firm. "I'm here regarding the abuse your students inflicted on the orphans at Zura Orphanage."
Andrea's smile widened mockingly. "Oh… that." She chuckled, as though Athena had just told a joke. "Kids roughhousing, nothing serious."
"Nothing serious?" Athena's voice sharpened. "One child nearly broke his ribs. Another has a twisted arm. They were humiliated and beaten, and you allowed it."
Andrea sipped her coffee leisurely, her smug grin still in place. "Listen, Miss Derin. This is a prestigious private school."
"These 'orphans,' as you call them, don't belong here. They're lucky we even accepted them. Their grades might be impressive, but they should know their place."
Athena's fingers twitched, itching to strike the smile off Andrea's face, but she kept her composure.
"I'm giving you a chance to do the right thing," Athena warned. "Expel the bullies and apologize to my children."
Andrea's laugh was cold. "Your children?" she sneered.
"You think orphans deserve the sa respect as children from powerful families? Those boys you're defending are nobodies. If you keep pushing this, you'll regret it."
Athena's lips curled into a smile, cold, sharp, and unforgiving. "Is that so?"
Without another word, Athena nodded to one of her lawyers, who calmly placed a thick folder on Andrea's desk.
Photos of the bruises, dical reports, and printed CCTV footage spilled out. One image captured a teacher looking directly at Darwin while he was pushed down the stairs.
Another showed a student pinning Alden to the floor while a teacher stood just ters away, unfazed.
"Copies of this evidence have already been forwarded to the local authorities and the education board," Athena said, her voice like ice.
"I'd suggest you prepare a public statent because this school will be answering for its negligence."
Andrea's smug grin faltered. "You wouldn't dare..."
"I already did," Athena interrupted. Her tone held no warmth.
"And if those bullies aren't removed from this school by the end of the week, I'll ensure this institution's reputation crumbles faster than you can beg for rcy."
Andrea shot to her feet, her chair scraping violently against the floor. "You think you can intimidate ?"
Athena's smile returned, calm and unwavering. "No," she said softly. "I'm simply warning you. I'm not soone you want as an enemy."
Before Andrea could respond, Athena turned and walked out, her lawyers following closely behind.
Three days later, the news broke. The school was flooded with furious parents demanding answers.
Reporters sward the gates, pressing teachers for interviews. Parents withdrew their children one after another.
The prestigious school's reputation crumbled like sand slipping through fingers.
The bullies, children of wealthy families, were expelled under public pressure, and Andrea Gin was forced to resign.
The boys returned to school a week later, their confidence still shaken but their spirits slowly rebuilding.
Athena drove them herself that morning. As they stepped out of the car, she knelt in front of them.
"You're strong," she told them. "Stronger than they'll ever be. Don't forget that."
The boys exchanged glances, then one by one, they hugged her.
"Thank you," Alden whispered.
Athena smiled and ruffled his hair. "You're family," she said. "And no one hurts my family."
In the following weeks, the orphanage flourished with newfound hope. The children smiled more often, their laughter filling the once-silent halls.
Marrie, Samantha, and Joane worked hard to create a warm, nurturing environnt. The boys gradually regained their confidence, excelling in school without fear of tornt.
Athena continued visiting regularly, bringing supplies, books, and sotis even cooking als for them.
Each visit strengthened her bond with the children, and they began to see her as more than just a guardian, she was family.
For the first ti in a long while, the orphanage felt like a true ho.
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