Athena's words brought her attention not only to Nikolov, but also to the terrifying man the director had called 'uncle'. Nikolov slid the white paper in front of him and said. "I can't do this. Grandpa handed this position to me. The president is still healthy, there's no reason for you to worry so much, uncle. Besides, Aleksei isn't really suited for this position."
"Are you saying that my son is no better than you? Or did the old man tell you that himself?" While there had been a hint of indifference in the uncle's voice before, his words were now filled with seriousness. It was clear he didn't like the way Nikolov spoke about his son.
"I didn't say anything, uncle concluded it himself." Perhaps it was Athena's sudden outburst when he'd lost himself in his uncle's presence that made Nikolov bolder, and the tremor in his voice had lessened. It wasn't like before.
The uncle slammed the table in front of him so hard, it nearly made Athena jump from her seat. "You're so brave. You completely ignored my warning! Just because I can't touch you doesn't mean I can't make you suffer." The man waved his hands, making the smoke from his cigar move with him.
Someone moved closer to Athena. "I heard your secretary has overwhelmed my people. Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Nikolov? You should be protected by a woman, you've always been great at hiding behind your mother's back." He moved closer and whispered in Nikolov's ear, "to this day you're still a weak, cowardly loser."
"Tie that woman to the chair." One of the large men pulled Athena's hair roughly. The secretary tried to fight back, but her strength was nothing compared to the large man before her. Never mind that Athena was a woman, the men's treatment was far from gentle.
She was pulled, thrown, and tied to a creaking wooden chair. The ropes bound her body until she could barely breathe. Athena closed her eyes, enduring the nauseating pain.
"Uncle, what do you want to do—"
"Shhh..." the uncle put his finger to Nikolov's lips. Ordering his nephew to be quiet. "A loser like you should just enjoy the show, but if you have the courage, you can participate and be a hero."
This time, Uncle Nikolov stood, his steps slow and heavy as he approached Athena, who was already tied to the chair and unable to resist. He bent down, removed the cigar from his mouth, and blew the smoke at Athena, causing the blonde woman to cough.
"I've heard a lot about you, Secretary Athena. Besides doing a good job, you're also known for your charming looks." The man caressed Athena's face with the gleaming tip of his dagger. "A little scratch won't hurt, right?"
"Uncle!" Nikolov shouted, "don't do that," he continued.
The man turned to see his pitiful nephew trembling in his seat. "Didn't I tell you? I won't accept your cries, if you are capable, you come here and save this woman with your own hands." He waited for Nikolov's answer for a while. "You can't, right? Hahaha, you are too weak, and a weakling like you is even playing with me. Be strong before you dare challenge me!" He said, looking back at Athena.
"Hmm.. maybe we'll save the face for last, what about the legs and arms? You don't need them, do you?" The tip of the dagger was pressed deeper than before, producing a small, bleeding wound. Athena stared at the man sharply with her blue eyes that didn't waver even though the pain forced her to wince in pain.
The man grabbed Athena's face, gripping it in his large hands. "You dare look at me like that? Do you want me to gouge your eyes out?" And slapped her so hard that her head throbbed in pain. The corner of her lip was even torn.
"Athena! Uncle, please don't do anything!" Nikolov, still motionless, said in a trembling voice. Sweat was already pouring down his face, and the stench of blood churned in his stomach, forcing him to restrain himself from emptying his bowels.
"I give you two choices; first, you can come here and save this woman with your own hands. Second, you can sign the paper on the table."
"Don't do anything, Director! Don't do anything until help arrives!" Hearing Athena speak, the man kicked her in the stomach. Her blonde hair was pulled back, the beautiful strands scattered in the terrifying hand, "I won't hesitate to kill you if you speak again!"
Athena laughed sarcastically. "You're only brave with a woman like me, you're so cowardly." Another slap landed on her face. Her cheeks, which always blushed when the weather was cold, were now red for a different reason. Her face was bruised, but she remained unwavering. Call her a crazy woman, but she was someone who was very dedicated to her work.
"You should at least feel sorry for yourself, because that coward Nikolov won't save you."
With her injured lips, Athena laughed, she spat out a red liquid from her mouth, right at the man. "Of course the director won't save me, because it's my duty to protect him." A statement that was beyond reason, as if she didn't care if her life would end at the hands of a man who was her own boss's uncle.
"Stop.."
It didn't stop there, Athena received the blow that was thrown at her, her body was already so weak and her consciousness seemed to be no longer able to cooperate.
"Stop!"
Nikolov whispered from his seat, wanting to look away—to avoid seeing the scene unfolding right before his eyes. He wanted to stop them all, but he couldn't.
"Stop!"
That was the last sound Athena heard before all her consciousness faded away, drowning in pain and darkness.
....