The next morning, Athena, tired of the monotonous routine in the mansion where she spent most of her time alone, decided to invite her friend over to share a soda in the living room and chat.

While Layla was engrossed in her phone, swiping her finger across the screen, Athena calmly filed her nails, occasionally looking at her friend who seemed more interested in chatting than paying attention to her. However, Athena finally broke the silence.

"Last night I had an argument with Valentino," she confided, and Layla immediately looked up. "Again, because of that woman named Lirio," she let out a sigh of disinterest.

"Doesn't that guy ever get tired?" Layla exclaimed with discontent. "What's the problem? It's just a marriage by contract; no one is stopping him from keeping that woman with him."

"It's because his father complained to him, since he didn't want to grant me the place that belongs to me in this mansion." Athena yawned, then looked at her friend. "Do you think I should have canceled everything? This is getting a bit boring."

"I already told you, you should talk to your parents. If I were you, I wouldn't put up with that bitter guy; he can keep his mistress and his factory can fall apart. After all, it's not your problem," she commented, shrugging.

Athena smiled broadly, shaking her head, and her friend looked at her with narrowed eyes, recognizing that malicious laugh as a sign that she was planning something, although Athena did not reveal her plans, and Layla chose not to waste time asking her questions.

At that precise moment, the main door opened, breaking the tranquility of the two young women enjoying their space. Two unwanted presences made their entrance: Valentino, who had just arrived from the company, accompanied by Lirio Moretti, who was holding his arm with a triumphant smile on her face.

"How are things going with your 'friend,' Layla?" Athena suddenly asked, ignoring the newcomers. "You haven't told me anything since we arrived."

"Oh, about that..."

"Apparently, your parents didn't teach you good manners," Valentino cut in, interrupting the conversation. "Can't you see that we just arrived?"

"And what do you want, for me to kiss your feet or something?" Athena inquired without looking up from her nails. "Do what you have to do and leave us alone, is that too much to ask?"

"You're still an arrogant and ill-mannered brat," her fiancé replied coldly. "Lirio will stay for dinner tonight."

"Perfect." This time, Athena looked up with a smile on her lips. "I think that's excellent, because it seems that Miss Lirio has quite limited resources to afford the luxury of tasting the exquisite dishes prepared in this splendid mansion. My parents taught me to help others."

"Valentino, I think it would be better if I left..." Lirio murmured in a low tone, lightly squeezing Valentino's arm as if she were embarrassed.

"No, you're not going anywhere; this is my mansion," he dictated, wrapping his arm around her as Lirio discreetly smiled. Layla exchanged glances with Athena, who maintained an impassive expression. "Athena, you'd better treat Lirio with respect; even though you will be my wife, she is the woman I want."

"I know, darling, I know," she sighed in response. "Isn't it charming? The mistress and the future wife under the same roof and at the same table; I only used to see those things on soap operas." She laughed maliciously, while her friend felt like letting out all the curses stuck in her throat. "Alright, as far as I'm concerned, go ahead, I have no problem with that; after all, the mistress will only be that, a mistress."

"Valentino, my love," Lirio spoke to him in a sweet and apparently calm voice, although he looked noticeably disgusted. "Why don't we go to your room? You must be a bit tired; I'll give you a massage."

"Of course," he replied, turning to her, taking her face in his hands, and kissing her on the lips in front of Athena and Layla. "Come on, I want you to rest too."

Thus, Valentino retreated upstairs, giving Athena a harsh look before disappearing from her sight. Once both of them were gone, Layla put down her phone and stood up, heading towards her friend. She grabbed her arm tightly and looked her in the eyes.

"We are getting out of this shit," she said severely. "Are you going to tolerate these humiliations from that man? Look at what he just did in front of us: he brings his mistress here, says she'll stay for dinner, kisses her in front of his fiancée, and now takes her to his room, surely to do I don't know what kind of filth. I can't let you stay here."

"Don't give it so much importance," she pulled away from his grip, sighing. "Don't you know me, Layla? Do you think something like that even tickles me? Let them be; they're laughing now, and later it will be me."

"You really are hopeless, Ate." Her friend ran a hand through her straight hair in frustration. "If I were in your place, I would have poisoned both of them. Those damn people are doing this on purpose."

"What can I tell you, I'm not a complicated woman who wastes her valuable energy on insignificant things like that."

"Hey," Layla looked at her with interest. "Why don't we go to the pool?"

"What's that all about?"

"The weather is good for getting a tan. You've been spending all this time looking at your wedding preparations and putting up with that idiot, and I've been busy with some work stuff. We deserve to relax," she proposed, approaching her while giving a crooked smile. "Besides, show that cockroach that you're not going to give up."

"Good idea." Athena smiled with complicity. "Let's go, I need a relaxing massage."

The decision made, both women excitedly went upstairs and entered the room in search of their bikinis to enjoy the sun by the pool. Athena chose a rather revealing two-piece set, just like her friend Layla, who chose a yellow one. Athena, for her part, opted for a red bikini, modern and simple. Both sets had triangle-shaped tops that highlighted their figures, and the high-cut bottoms elegantly and boldly revealed the curve of their hips.

Once ready, they wrapped themselves in sarongs and headed for the pool. There, they ordered some refreshing drinks that were placed on small tables next to each lounge chair. In addition, they requested sunscreen and sunglasses to fully enjoy the day.

"Scott, please apply the sunscreen on my body," Athena kindly requested to one of her subordinates present.

The man, pleased, proceeded to carry out the order. Athena lay on her back on the lounge chair, her head slightly tilted to receive the sun, while Scott rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to gently apply the cream to his hands and spread it on Athena's back.

She smiled maliciously, while her friend was engrossed in reading a magazine with her sunglasses on, enjoying a fruit juice. On the other hand, Athena was aware that, in the distance, through one of the mansion's windows, other eyes were watching her.

"Please, spread it all over my back and also on my legs," she instructed him, noticing Valentino standing near the window of his room, watching her as he brought a glass of liquor to his lips.

Scott, following Athena's instructions, began to apply the sunscreen all over her body, delicately massaging her bare back, as well as her legs and thighs. He made circular movements, relaxing every muscle while Athena let herself go and kept her eyes fixed on the window. The male silhouette of Valentino continued to watch her closely, his jaw clenched tightly and anger silently consuming him.

"What are you planning, you bitch?" her friend asked her, who noticed her intentions. "Do you want to make a man who hates you jealous? Don't waste your time, believe me."

"Only I know what I'm doing," she replied calmly, as the man continued with his work. "I want him to be filled with rage, to see another man touch the body of his future wife, and not out of jealousy, but out of pride. My intention is to hit his ego directly. To make him realize that nothing he does with his mistress affects me at all."

"What a way," her friend murmured without giving it much importance.

Valentino went up to his room with Lirio and took off his jacket, leaving it on the bed. Meanwhile, she sat down on one of the sofas, hiding her anger and annoyance after receiving unpleasant comments from Athena. Despite wanting to express her truths directly to her, she chose to restrain herself, showing an image of fragility and helplessness to Valentino.

"Are you okay?" she asked Valentino, approaching him. "That woman is very rude; she only says all that to annoy me because she doesn't want me to be here with you."

"Don't give it any importance. I already made it clear to her that the woman I want is you," he replied, caressing her cheek, but then he moved away to pour himself a drink.

"Won't your father be upset by my presence tonight?" she inquired cautiously.

"It's most likely, but I don't care," he said coldly, approaching the window of his room to look at the garden. "I talked to him and told him I would be willing to marry that woman if she didn't meddle with you or try to drive you away."

"Thank you very much, my love." She smiled broadly and hugged him from behind. "I just want all this to end so we can finally be together, as we've wanted all along."

"Yes... me too," he replied, lost in his thoughts, without giving it much importance.

At that moment, he saw two women heading to the pool, and he noticed how they settled on the lounge chairs, ordering drinks, putting on sunglasses, and requesting sunscreen to get a tan. However, his eyes were especially focused on a small figure with fair skin, dark hair, and a perfectly shaped body, like a model's. The perfect curves, a large and round behind, and breasts that were outlined through the red bikini, caught his attention.

He frowned when he realized that it was her, his fiancée, who smilingly requested the attention of one of the men present to apply sunscreen on her practically naked body, since she only covered the essential areas with two layers of fabric.

He felt disgusted, because he was unable to stand her arrogant behavior, especially when trying to get involved with Lirio, he thought.

His frown deepened even more when he saw a man deliberately massaging his fiancée's body, running his hands over her bare back and legs, touching every inch of her skin as if he were not touching the body of his future wife. What bothered him most was Athena's shameless smile, as if she were enjoying the situation, not knowing that she was only enjoying him watching her from a distance.

"Is something wrong, Valentino?" Lirio asked him, noticing his unusual silence.

"Yes, a lot is wrong right now," he replied, putting the glass of liquor aside and freeing himself from Lirio's grip to leave.

"Where are you going?" she inquired, surprised, but he had already left the room, annoyed. She couldn't understand it until she looked out the window and saw Athena, in the distance by the pool, with that man who was massaging her in an inappropriate way.

The brunette clenched her fists in rage and left the room to follow Valentino, aware that he would surely cause a scandal because of Athena's brazen behavior in the mansion.

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."