The commotion was so intense that it immediately alerted Gale. Flustered, Gale sent her maid to inquire. The maid soon returned and reported, "Your Highness, Lady Willow of the Monson family is in trouble."

"What happened to her?" Gale asked, frowning in confusion.

The maid, eyes wide with panic, stammered to Gale, "Your Highness, they say Lady Athena and Lady Willow were in the hot spring together, but somehow Lady Willow got hurt. When they found her, blood was still gushing from her chest, and she was already gone."

Gale gasped sharply. "She's dead?"

Gale’s scalp tingled, and for some reason, Athena suddenly popped into her mind.

Athena was the one who insisted I come to the hot spring. Then Willow tagged along too. It all seems too deliberate to be a coincidence. Could it be that Athena set this whole thing up on purpose?

At this realization, Gale broke out in a cold sweat. Gale never expected that someone as gentle-tempered as Athena could be so utterly ruthless when she got serious.

Yet now, Gale couldn’t help but think, I actually admire Athena. The entire Monson family must be blind and heartless, protecting an adopted daughter while banishing their own flesh and blood! If it were me, I’d have fought them tooth and nail long ago. How could I ever let that adopted daughter usurp my rightful place and enjoy privileges that should be mine?

After reaching this realization, Gale composed herself and ordered, "Secure the gates. No one enters without my permission."

They came with their guards. If Nicolas insisted on seeking justice for Willow, Gale would undoubtedly stand by Athena.

Not because she’s Ferris’s beloved, but purely for Athena’s sheer grit!

The maid acknowledged and quickly went to relay the order.

Just then, Athena returned. Gale hurried forward two steps, scanning Athena up and down before asking softly, "Are you hurt?"

Her words sent a wave of warmth through Athena’s heart. Gale didn’t ask why she’d done it, only whether Athena was hurt. This unreserved favoritism filled Athena with a long-lost warmth she hadn’t felt in years.

Meeting Gale’s anxious gaze, Athena slowly shook her head. Like a triumphant child returning from battle, Athena’s eyes sparkled with pride as she declared to Gale, "Not a scratch on me."

Chapter 177

Gale scrutinized Athena once again. Only after confirming there were no signs of injury did she finally let out a sigh of relief. The maid had already closed the door and left. Gale pulled Athena down to sit beside her and let out a sigh of relief. "You silly child, why didn’t you tell me what you were up to? If you wanted to deal with Willow, you could’ve just asked me for help, no need to get your own hands dirty."

Athena’s eyes welled up with emotion as she looked gratefully at Gale, her voice resolute. "Macy and Thalia weren’t just anyone. They were like my family. Willow took their lives. How could I possibly let her go unpunished? Only by killing her with my own hands can I truly avenge them."

Besides, Macy and Thalia were brutally murdered by Willow. If Athena didn’t make her pay for this, she would never find peace for the rest of her life.

Gale’s heart pounded as she kept patting her chest, clicking her tongue in disbelief. "That nearly scared me out of my wits," she said. "But don’t worry, even if they come after you, I will protect you."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Athena said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Somehow, without either realizing it, Gale and Athena had grown even closer. At that moment, even though they weren’t officially family, Gale and Athena were closer than any mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could ever be. Gale’s unwavering protection warmed Athena’s heart.

The room was cozy as they sipped drinks to calm their nerves. Gale finally ventured cautiously, "Is Willow truly dead?"

Athena absentmindedly traced the rim of her cup with her pale fingertips, deep in thought. "I stabbed her right in the heart, and she was left soaking in the water for so long. There’s no way she survived," she mused.

That hairpin was a gift from Xander. Athena had witnessed firsthand how sharp it is.

As long as Willow was mortal, she couldn’t possibly survive that, Athena thought with certainty.

Gale regarded Athena with growing admiration.

This girl kills without a second thought, so ruthless. But perhaps this is for the best. I’ve always been too indecisive myself, lacking that kind of iron will. The McGee family is in dire need of a capable lady of the house like her.

The two women waited for what felt like ages in tense silence, but there was still no sound from outside.

Trina tiptoed into the room and, in a hushed voice, reported to Athena and Gale, "Lord Nicolas has taken Willow and hurried back to Pidence City. It seems they’re heading straight for the royal physician."

"Willow’s still alive?" Athena’s brows knitted tightly in disbelief.

By all rights, Willow should’ve already been dead when they pulled her out. Yet somehow, Willow had managed to endure the grueling journey back to Pidence City? Could Willow be… a monster? No, no, that can’t be right. The idea of monsters or anything supernatural is just ridiculous.

Trina, picking up on Athena’s words, said, "Judging by how bad she looked, it’s unlikely she’ll make it. With injuries that severe, she might not even survive the trip back."

Gale also nodded repeatedly, her tone firm and reassuring as she turned to Athena. "She won’t survive. You can rest easy," she said with conviction.

Chapter 177

Athena couldn’t help but chuckle at how perfectly Gale and Trina were playing off each other.

For several days afterward, no news came from Pidence City. A few days later, news finally arrived from Pidence City.

A spy said, "After Lady Willow returned to Pidence City, her life was saved, but her injuries were so severe that she has yet to regain consciousness."

The spy stole a glance at Athena, then hesitantly added, "I heard it was Lord Osborne who gave her a life-saving medicine. That’s the only reason she’s still alive."

Hearing this, Athena couldn’t help but show a wry smile.

That life-saving elixir was, after all, the very one I had given to Michael. She had tucked that elixir into a pouch and given it to Michael three years ago. To think that very elixir ended up saving Willow’s life.

Athena looked utterly devastated as she slumped back into the chair.

Gale’s face paled in alarm at the sight of her. "Atheny, what’s wrong?"

"That life-saving elixir can bring the dead back to life. Willow probably won’t die after all," Athena said calmly, making Gale gasp sharply.

Gale glanced at Athena’s pale face and muttered with a sigh, "What a shame… It’s always the good who die young, while the wicked live on forever."

Everyone thought Athena would be down for days, but to their surprise, she bounced back in no time, fully recharged.

Athena gathered herself, determination flashing in her eyes as she declared, "If I could kill Willow once, I can do her again. She owes me far more than just one life."

Besides Thalia and Macy, doesn’t Willow still owe me a life?

If it hadn’t been for her, Athena would never have endured three agonizing years in the army camp.

A few days later, Athena received another urgent message. [Margaret is gravely ill. Return to Pidence City at once.]

Upon seeing the message, Gale immediately grew wary. She cautioned, "Atheny, you mustn’t lose your composure. Willow just got injured, and now Margaret is gravely ill. Regardless of whether the news is true or not, don’t you think that’s far too much of a coincidence? This is nothing but a trap to lure you back to Pidence City."

That merciless bunch at the Monson family, if Athena really goes back, she’ll be walking straight into a death trap.