6.

Valentino's long strides, who was in a fury, were directed towards the pool where Athena was sunbathing with her friend. When he arrived, he witnessed a man deliberately massaging his fiancée's body, who continued with her head resting on the lounge chair, receiving the sun and the massage that was relaxing her.

Athena knew that Valentino was watching her from a distance, probably with eyes full of fire; however, she did not flinch and the man continued to massage her until she ordered him to stop. This enraged Valentino even more as he was ignored.

"Athena!" he exclaimed in a furious voice, heading towards her. "What do you think this behavior is within my mansion?" he complained, standing in front of her, blocking the sun that was lighting up her face.

"Please, Valentino, step aside, you're blocking my sun," she said calmly. "Why are you shouting so much? All you're good for is causing a scene. I thought you were resting with your mistress."

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her up from the lounge chair abruptly. "I will not allow this behavior within my mansion!"

"Hey!" Layla immediately stood up and broke Valentino's grip. "Who do you think you are to grab her like that? We're just sunbathing. So you have nothing to complain about when you're with your mistress inside your room."

"This has nothing to do with you," he snapped coldly, and Athena laughed.

"It has nothing to do with me, but the person you're violating right now is my friend, and I'm not going to allow it," she bellowed firmly.

"Now what's the problem?" Athena asked serenely, taking off her sunglasses. "Why can't you just leave me alone, Valentino? What's the sin? I'm just sunbathing and getting a massage."

"Is sunbathing letting another man put his hands on you so shamelessly?" He gave a disdainful smile. "That just confirms to me that you're a..."

Before Valentino could finish the word, Athena gave him a strong slap that even turned his cheek, leaving everyone present stunned, including Lirio, who was arriving behind Valentino.

"How dare you!" Lirio exclaimed, annoyed, pushing Valentino aside and pushing Athena on the chest. "You insolent slut! You just behave like a harlot!"

Upon saying that, Layla couldn't hold back anymore and took Lirio by the shoulders, pushing her into the pool and leaving those present surprised by such an act.

"Lirio!" Valentino reacted immediately, jumping into the pool to rescue his mistress, who seemed to be drowning as she didn't know how to swim.

Athena crossed her arms over her chest, watching the scene expectantly without showing any hint of feeling or expression on her cold face. Layla also witnessed the scene without flinching, as did the subordinates present, Martín and Soledad, who made their appearance along with other servants due to the scandal that echoed throughout the mansion.

Valentino, as best he could, pulled Lirio out of the water, placing her on the edge of the pool while she coughed up water loudly, all her clothes soaked, just like Valentino with his fine wet suit.

Some servants brought towels and wrapped Lirio up. Seeing her recovered, Valentino got up and headed towards Athena with long strides, giving her a scathing and harsh look.

"Aren't you ashamed?" he questioned with clenched teeth. "You and your friend are nothing but immature brats. Look at what you did to Lirio! She doesn't know how to swim!"

Athena sighed, tired of the constant complaining and of the same problem always coming from the same person.

"I was the one who pushed her for treating you like that, Valentino," Layla intervened with annoyance. "Aren't you another immature brat here? You come here to complain about just a massage, which makes it clear that the only one who seems to have no control over his actions is you." She briefly looked at Lirio, still on the edge of the pool like a frightened lamb. "You should be thankful that this lack of respect and humiliation hasn't been reported to the Volkovs, because here, the one who should be a priority is your fiancée, not your mistress who only plays the victim."

"You are no one to tell me what I have and don't have to do with my life," he replied rudely. "I don't want you to mess with Lirio again, Layla, and the same goes for you, Athena; she is my woman."

"Well, if you're done with this show, I'm leaving, I'm tired," Athena intervened unenthusiastically. "Come on, Layla, you can't even get a good tan in this mansion."

"You're not going anywhere." Valentino stopped her by the arm. "Let this be the last time you lay a hand on me, brat; the next time, I won't be responsible for my ungentlemanly actions."

"And what am I supposed to do? Cry because of your absurd threat?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow. "Let me tell you something, Rizzo, I won't allow you to insult me, so you had the slap coming. I don't meddle in your business with your mistress, so don't meddle in mine. And if you try again, I won't hesitate to respond in the same way, and even worse."

"What is going on here?" Clodan, Valentino's father, burst into the middle of the situation. "What's all this commotion?"

"Father-in-law." Athena freed herself from her fiancé's grip and went to her father-in-law with a sad face. "I'm sorry you have to witness all this; there was an altercation with Valentino and his mistress, but don't worry, it wasn't very important."

"It wasn't very important? This guy does nothing but throw insults at you," Layla intervened. "Mr. Clodan, with all due respect, I don't think your son Valentino's despotic and rude behavior is appropriate. He just causes unnecessary scandals because of that woman."

"What does this mean, Valentino?" His father addressed him in a stern voice. "And what is Lirio Moretti doing in the mansion? Explain this to me once and for all."

"I have nothing to say," he replied, going to Lirio to help her up. "I won't allow these two women to mess with Lirio and act shamelessly in this mansion. We've already talked about this, Father, I accept all your demands, but with one condition, you have to fulfill your part."

With that, he walked away with Lirio, who was shivering from the cold. With a hand on her shoulders, Valentino helped her walk into the mansion, while Layla gave him a death glare and Athena's attention was on her father-in-law.

"Mr. Clodan, what is your son talking about? What is the condition he's talking about?" Athena asked, surprised.

"That's precisely what I wanted to talk to you about." The man sighed, loosening the tie on his jacket and letting out a tired sigh. "Valentino agreed to marry you and carry out the contract on the condition that that woman would be by his side, since I have always shown my displeasure with that relationship."

"Wow, he must love that woman very much," Layla scoffed.

"So that's what it is," Athena said thoughtfully.

"Would you have a problem with that?" her father-in-law asked her.

"Ah, no, don't worry about me, father-in-law, you know I don't interfere in Valentino's relationship even if this situation is a little out of place. What worries me is that all this will become a scandal in all the media and reach my parents' ears; they are a little strict."

"I've already talked to him about that; the relationship he has with Lirio must be kept out of the public eye to maintain our image above all else. Even if it's a political marriage, the reputation must be maintained," he explained. "The wedding will be soon; I hope everything is going well with the preparations."

"Everything is going excellent," Athena replied, while Layla had an expression of disgust. "By the way, have you already arranged everything with my parents? Well, although that's already a matter for both companies about the commercial investment."

"We have already communicated, and we have prepared a board meeting; everything is going according to what was agreed. All that's left is to finalize the wedding."

The conversation concluded, Clodan entered the mansion with the intention of talking to his son. Despite being aware that his attitude would not change suddenly regarding Athena, Clodan tries to empathize and understand him. His son has been in a relationship with Lirio since his mother passed away from an illness, becoming a strong support during difficult times and maintaining a lifelong friendship. However, the factory was on the verge of collapse, forcing them to find a quick and beneficial solution for both the Rizzos and the Volkovs, who also benefited greatly.

Although they are aware that it is only a temporary marriage contract, and Valentino has the option of being with the woman he "loves," why does his hatred for his fiancée persist? It is a question that only he keeps in the depths of his being.

"Athena, I don't understand how you can remain calm after all this fuss. I'm about to go crazy," her friend expressed, taking a seat back on the lounge chair. "I wish that pool had piranhas to eat that scavenger Lirio.

I hate her."

"You were quite reckless about it," Athena took a seat next to her. "Your action only made that monster angrier at me."

"And what did you want? I couldn't stand it. He came here to yell at you as if he had the right when he's just a nobody who's nothing more than a mistress. Besides, she pushed you. Didn't you see her?" she blurted out with frustration and anger. "Just remembering it, my blood boils. I want to give that bitch what she deserves. She was behaving like a helpless and silly idiot. I can't stand her."

"Are you done?"

"Yes."

"I already told you, Layla, don't let them get to you. That's what they want," she said, lying back on the lounge chair. "A cold mind and ovaries in place so no one can mess with you. I've always told you that."

"What are you planning to do? Your calmness scares me a little, you know."

"I'm trying to find my enemy's weak points," she smiled, putting her sunglasses back on. "I think I've found one."

"Apart from his mistress being a bitch?"

"No, I don't care about that," she scoffed. "I don't know the full story between them, but I will, and through that, I'll know where to attack. What I'm going to do now is a deal that we are both going to sign."

"What kind of deal?" her friend inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"You'll see. I'll tell you soon. Just let me put the pieces of my puzzle together," she gave a crooked smile. "When I, Athena Volkova, attack an opponent, it is to take them down. I will have him under my heels, so wait patiently. Valentino Rizzo will be mine."