Chapter 235

Michael could hardly believe it—a slip of a girl had outmatched him. She looked so young, yet her combat skills were undeniably formidable. She had blocked his path to Athena time and again, raising a single, unsettling possibility: she might be Athena’s shadow guard.

What Michael couldn’t wrap his head around was this: when had Athena crossed paths with someone so skilled in combat, and how had a woman like her become entangled with figures from the martial world?

Michael disliked how distant Athena had grown–she hadn’t always been this guarded with him. Still, he knew he was no match for the girl. Trying to force his way in would only make him look foolish.

Though still hesitant, Michael softened his tone and said to Jessa, “I mean no harm. I wish to see Lady Athena. Please announce my visit–if she knows it’s me, she’ll be sure to see me.”

Michael remained confident. Even if Athena no longer cared for him, after all their years together, she wouldn’t have the heart to turn him away.

Jessa reacted as if she had just heard the most absurd joke. She cupped her round cheeks with both hands and asked mockingly, “Do you think I’m that shameless?”

Michael was left speechless. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, Jessa’s voice echoed again, taunting him: “Even someone as shameless as I am wouldn’t sink that low. Do you have even thicker skin than I do?”

Humiliation. Utter and absolute humiliation. That wasn’t merely striking at Michael’s most sensitive nerve–it was akin to spitting directly in his face.

A mere servant daring to humiliate a marquis like him was an insult Michael could never accept. Furious, he bellowed, “How dare you!” before drawing his sword in one swift motion and thrusting it straight toward Jessa’s face.

Jessa seemed to anticipate his sudden attack–she was prepared for it. With a mocking grin, she nimbly leaped back and taunted, “Shame on you! You can’t win with words, so now you resort to using your fists?”

Michael was furious, relentlessly pursuing Jessa. Just as he was about to grab her, a whip suddenly lashed toward his face.

Michael quickly dodged, but he was still a step too slow. While the whip missed his face, it struck his shoulder. The whip cracked fiercely through the air, leaving a bloody welt behind. The impact was so powerful that it even tore through his clothes.

But at that moment, Michael’s expression changed suddenly. His eyes widened in surprise as he gazed at Jessa before him, a hint of confusion crossing his face. “Who are you, exactly?” he demanded.

Though she appeared youthful, the techniques she utilized were strikingly reminiscent of military practices. The military-grade whip in her hand was something Michael recognized all too well–it was the same whip used in the army to punish unruly soldiers. A single lash could tear through flesh, leaving raw wounds.

Even after the wounds had healed, permanent scars would remain. They were a brand–a mark of complete disgrace–intended to serve as a constant reminder to the transgressor of their failures.

In response to Michael’s question, Jessa coiled her whip around her wrist, lifted her chin defiantly with a smirk, and sneered, “You’re a worthless loser. You’re not even worthy of knowing my name.”

“You-” Michael choked back his rage. As he prepared to chase after her, a bitter taste surged in his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Jessa pointed a finger at him and warned sharply, “Stay away from Lady Athena from now on. If I ever catch you near her again, I’ll make sure to punish you every time I see you.”

The strong owed no explanations to the weak; might made right. After saying her piece, Jessa gracefully returned to the duke’s estate.

Michael stumbled unsteadily, nearly falling to the ground. That single lash had indeed left him with internal injuries.

A distant watchman’s chime echoed through the darkness, startling him as he realized it was already well past midnight. With thoughts of his wedding tomorrow, Michael let out a sigh and turned to walk away. Yet, he couldn’t shake off his anger regarding Jessa. He was determined to uncover her background.

Athena slept peacefully, utterly unaware of the turmoil outside. However, the very next day, some troubling matters came knocking at her door.

“Lady Athena, what nonsense is this from the duke’s estate?” Trina slammed the wedding invitation onto the table, her delicate face pale with fury. “You’ve already severed all ties with them, yet they still dare to send you this!”

‘The Monson family is like a persistent fly–they can’t do any real harm, but damn are they annoying!’ Trina thought.

Athena picked up the invitation and scanned it, immediately recognizing the Monson family’s intentions. Even though Athena had cut ties with the Monson family, Margaret had not.

Although Willow was just an adopted daughter, everyone in Pidence City knew how much the Monson family cherished her. Had Margaret missed Willow’s wedding, it would undoubtedly have stirred gossip among the townsfolk.

Furthermore, the invitation was extended in the name of the Duke of Suffield’s son. Reading between the lines, it seemed to urge Margaret to return to the Monson family and attend Willow’s wedding.

Marquita’s eyes blazed red with fury. “I’ve never seen a family like this!” she exclaimed. “Lady Margaret was so upset at the estate that she fell ill, and now, just a few days after finding some peace, they’re already back to their old tricks!”

Marquita grumbled aloud, but deep down, she felt a sense of relief. ‘At least Lady Athena escaped the duke’s estate when she did,’ she thought. ‘Who knows what kind of misery she would be enduring right now if she were still there?’

Athena was conflicted. She didn’t want Margaret to return, even though the Monsons were putting on a façade for outsiders. Regardless of whether it was just for appearances, she still wished for Margaret to stay away. However, if Margaret didn’t return, Athena worried that the resulting gossip could damage her reputation.

Just as Athena felt conflicted, Gwen assisted Margaret into the room. “Athena,” Margaret called softly. The tender, loving call brought Athena out of her thoughts.

Athena quickly rose to her feet and hurried over to Margaret. She asked in concern, “Grandma, why are you up?”

As she stood up, Athena quickly tucked the invitation into her sleeve. However, Margaret was as sharp-eyed as ever–Athena’s slightest movement did not escape her notice. “Go on, take it out, dear. I saw everything.”

With a resigned sigh, Athena reluctantly placed the invitation back on the table. Margaret looked at the invitation, a brief sparkle in her eyes. However, her response completely caught Athena by surprise.

“They only invited me back to create an illusion of family harmony for outsiders. However, the scandals surrounding them are well-known–you can’t conceal such matters from the world. I have dedicated my entire life to that household, and I have given it my all.”

Margaret noticed the concern etched on Athena’s face and softly patted the back of her hand, reassuring her, “Don’t worry. I won’t allow them to mess around any longer.”

Athena let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you’ve finally come around, Grandma. I wish you didn’t have to deal with all of this.”

If Margaret didn’t show up, she’d likely be seen as unfeeling. Athena thought for a moment, then turned to her. “Grandma, if you’d prefer not to go, I have an idea.”

Margaret smiled and said, “Oh? Go ahead, tell me."

“Grandma, why don’t you pretend to be sick?” Athena said with a mischievous grin. Margaret quickly grasped her meaning and laughed, “You’re always coming up with clever ideas.”

Gwen let out a sigh of relief. “What a relief! At least we won’t have to deal with the Monsons anymore.”

Margaret’s illness struck suddenly, leaving her bedridden. Gwen informed the Monson family that Margaret had fallen seriously ill and would be unable to attend.

When Willow heard the words, her face drained of color, overtaken by fury. Her carefully applied makeup became grotesquely distorted by the anger contorting her features. Willow fumed, “What is Grandma thinking? Of all days, she chooses my wedding day to fall seriously ill! If this gets out, people will say I have caused it!”

The thought sent a chill down her spine. ‘How can I carry the name of someone who made her grandmother ill on her wedding day?’ Willow was so enraged that she broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Nona tried tirelessly to comfort her, but her efforts were futile, and ultimately, she had no choice but to call for Eloise.