Chapter 188 At the McGee Family.
A row of carriages stood at the entrance, led by an extravagant, spacious coach. The coachman set down the step stool and drew back the carriage curtain. Draped in an elegant fox fur cloak, Ferris emerged gracefully from the carriage. After being away from the McGee family for over a month, Ferris was desperate to return home. The moment he wrapped up his business, he rushed back without wasting a single moment, eager to see Athena again. With a gentle smile, Ferris called out softly, “My Atheny, I’m home.”
The butler rushed forward, both startled and overjoyed. “Mr. McGee, you’re back?” The servants bustled about, busily carrying Ferris’s belongings into the mansion. Without breaking stride, Ferris asked with concern as he walked, “How has Mother been these days?” The butler beamed from ear to ear. “Mrs. McGee is in excellent health, all thanks to the medicine Miss Monson prepared for her. She hasn’t had a single cough all year!” “That’s good to hear.” Ferris maintained his composure, but the mere thought of seeing Atheny again made his heart soar with joy. The butler noticed Ferris heading toward Gale’s courtyard and kindly reminded him, “Mr. McGee, are you going to see your mother?” “That’s right,” Ferris confirmed. “I’m afraid you’ve just missed them, Mr. McGee,” the butler replied with regret. “Mrs. McGee has taken Miss Monson to Spring Garden for the princess’s party.” Ferris halted in his tracks, his brows knitting together. “Princess Lizzie’s party?” “That’s right,” the butler affirmed. A sudden unease flashed through Ferris’s mind, followed by a dull, throbbing pain in his chest. ‘Why do I feel like something terrible is about to happen?’ he thought. He clutched his chest, panic flickering in his eyes. Ferris thought anxiously, ‘Why… why does my heart feel so heavy? It’s as if some terrible disaster is unfolding right now!’
Seeing this, the butler rushed forward and supported him anxiously. “Mr. McGee, what’s wrong?” he asked. Ferris shook his head vaguely. “Just travel fatigue, I suppose.” “Mr. McGee, perhaps you should go back and get some rest,” the butler advised gently. Ferris shook his head. “No, I’ll go to Spring Garden to fetch Mother and Athena myself.” All he wanted now was to see Athena as soon as possible; he couldn’t wait another second.
After taking a few steps, Ferris turned back and instructed the butler, his voice brimming with excitement. “Start decorating the mansion at once. In two days, I’ll be marrying Atheny.” The butler’s jaw dropped in astonishment, then he immediately broke into an ear-to-ear grin. “Congratulations, Mr. McGee! This day has finally arrived!” The surrounding servants all knelt in unison, showering Ferris with congratulations. Ferris’s face lit up with a smile. “Make sure the place looks perfect. As soon as Athena returns, I’ll propose to her myself.” “Rest assured, Mr. McGee,” the butler declared, thumping his chest proudly. “Leave it to me. I guarantee Miss Monson will be absolutely delighted!” The joyous congratulations from the servants eased Ferris’s unease. With renewed determination, he strode purposefully toward the entrance and climbed back into the carriage. ‘Atheny, I’m coming for you,’ Ferris thought urgently.
Wade was gasping for breath, while Athena lay beaten to a pulp, her flesh torn and bleeding. With a vicious grin twisting his face, Wade advanced and began tearing at Athena’s clothes. Athena’s bloodied hand suddenly clamped onto his wrist with surprising strength. Wade was astonished by Athena’s tenacity. Even after being beaten to within an inch of her life, she still had the strength to fight back. “Mr. McGee…” Tears rolled down Athena’s cheeks as she gazed up at Wade, her eyes full of pitiful desperation. “Please… have mercy…” Wade’s eyes widened in shock as he thought, ‘Athena is actually throwing herself at me!’ A smug sense of triumph swelled in his chest. ‘Sure enough, there’s no woman I can’t conquer,’ he thought, his smugness swelling uncontrollably.
Seeing Athena’s delicate figure beneath her tattered clothes, Wade’s Adam’s apple bobbed rapidly as he swallowed hard. Wade sneered, “If you’d just behaved like this from the start, do you really think I would’ve needed to hit you?” Wade tore off his clothes in a lustful frenzy, pounced on Athena, and began yanking and ripping at her garments in a desperate, animalistic rush. Just as Wade pinned Athena beneath him, an icy blade instantly slit his throat. Blood gushed forth, splattering across Athena’s face and body. She watched as Wade clutched his throat, making desperate, choking sounds while blood kept bubbling from his mouth. Athena’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. She spat through bloodied teeth, “Scum like you doesn’t deserve to live. Rot in hell…” The hairpin slipped from Athena’s fingers as she slumped against the wall. With cold detachment, she watched as Wade convulsed before her, until he finally went still. Athena’s victorious smile dissolved into silent tears, indignant resentment burned within her. She thought, ‘Why does fate always play such cruel tricks on me, just when I think I might finally have a peaceful life? Happiness is like sand slipping through my fingers; no matter how tightly I try to hold on, it always slips away. If I die… what will Ferris do?
‘We swore we’d share our lives together… But I don’t regret my decision. Only blood can wash away the disgrace Ferris has suffered.’
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. “Let us see who dares to commit such disgraceful acts at my royal party!” The door was violently kicked open, and a swarm of noble ladies came pouring in from outside. Piercing screams erupted, nearly bursting Athena’s eardrums. No one could have anticipated the gruesome scene that awaited them inside the room. Wade collapsed in a pool of blood, his throat slit open. His wide, unseeing eyes stared blankly, his face twisted in eternal resentment. Athena leaned limply against the corner, her entire body covered in wounds and bruises. Her disheveled hair dripped with blood. Her face was deathly pale, utterly drained of color, with hollow, emotionless eyes. Those numb, chilling eyes stared at everyone like a vengeful specter. Athena’s hollow stare sent chills down everyone’s spine, and the crowd recoiled in terror, each person stumbling back a few steps. “Good heavens!” Lizzie shrieked dramatically. “Athena, how could you kill Mr. McGee?” Lizzie’s eyes gleamed with malicious delight as she looked at Athena. It was as if she hadn’t expected Athena to hand her such a perfect gift. This was more than she could have hoped for. “Athena…” Gale pushed through the crowd with difficulty and stepped into the chamber. Gale let out a piercing scream and flung herself toward Athena. Gale’s hands trembled as she reached out, desperate to comfort Athena but afraid of causing her more pain. Gale’s hands trembled uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face. With a panicked look, she cried out, “What happened here? Oh my god, what on earth is going on?” Athena’s eyes were empty, but her mind was razor-sharp. At this moment, she absolutely couldn’t afford to be associated with Gale. Otherwise, Wade’s death would inevitably drag down the entire McGee family. Athena pushed Gale away, her expression icy. “Why pretend to care, Mrs. McGee? What happens to me is none of your concern.”
Gale was no fool. She instantly grasped Athena’s intention. ‘She’s cutting ties with me to shield the McGee family from any trouble,’ Gale realized, her heart aching. Gale felt her heart shatter. She thought in anguish, ‘This is all my fault. I failed to protect Athena, and now she’s suffering because of me. If I were to distance myself from Athena at a time like this, could I even call myself human?’
She said, “Don’t be afraid, Athena, don’t be scared. I promise I’ll save you, I swear I will…” Before Gale could finish, Lizzie abruptly cut her off, her voice sharp and accusing. “Mrs. McGee, what are you saying? Are you trying to cover up for a murderer? Everyone here saw it with their own eyes that Athena killed Wade. There’s no way she can get away with this!”