Chapter 329

Athena looked at Ferris and felt lost and helpless. The sheer vulnerability in her eyes sent a sharp pang through Ferris’s heart.

Then, Ferris flashed Athena a playful smile and said, “Come on, Athena, I was just messing with you. Did you really take me seriously?”

Athena thought, ‘As if I couldn’t tell whether he was joking or not!’

Athena let out a soft sigh and said to Ferris, “Ferris, think carefully. Marriage is for life. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t try to talk you out of it, but Lizzie isn’t right for you. She doesn’t deserve you.”

Athena genuinely wanted to help him. She felt that a man like Ferris deserved far better than this.

Ferris gazed into Athena’s crystal-clear eyes, and a wave of bitter remorse suddenly washed over him.

He thought, “If only I’d married Athena sooner, would we have spent our lives together?

But life is full of missed opportunities. Back then, I was too cowardly and too weak-willed. I only have myself to blame!”

Ferris looked out the window as a carriage approached in the distance, his eyes flashing with something unreadable.

When Ferris looked at Athena again, his expression was tinged with guilt. “Athena, there’s no need to persuade me further. My mind is made up.”

Athena was at a loss for words.

She really didn’t know what to say.

A heavy silence fell between them, broken when Jessa entered the room. She cast a penetrating glance at Ferris.

Then, Jessa stepped up to Athena and whispered urgently, “Princess Lizzie has the entire building surrounded. Her people are swarming outside. If you try to leave now, you’ll walk right into her trap.”

Athena nodded slightly, making it clear she had no intention of clashing with Lizzie.

Athena thought to herself, ‘She came prepared. Of course, I should avoid direct confrontation with her, especially now, with her wedding to Ferris just around the corner.’

Jessa paused briefly, then whispered urgently, “Prince Xander is here too.”

“Prince Xander!” Athena’s face registered surprise, as if a sudden realization dawned on her. Her gaze instinctively flickered to Ferris.

Ferris, however, gazed out the window with feigned nonchalance. Remembering the subtle shift in his expression earlier, Athena let out a slow breath.

Now she finally understood why that flicker of guilt had crossed Ferris’s eyes just moments ago.

Athena said sharply, “You’re the one who tipped off Prince Xander, aren’t you?”

A flicker of panic flashed in Ferris’s eyes. “Athena, why would you say that?”

Athena bit her lip. She thought, I don’t want to think ill of Ferris, but I can’t just stand by and let him use Prince Xander.

With Ferris now wielding immense power, it was hardly a challenge for him to keep his movements hidden.

Under Athena’s clear and piercing gaze, all of Ferris’s schemes were laid bare.

Ferris finally came clear, "Only Prince Xander can rein in Lizzie. I just wanted to teach her a lesson."

Even as he spoke, Ferris’s words lacked conviction. Disappointment flashed across Athena’s eyes.

Athena slowly shook her head and said to Ferris, “You can use me if you must, but don’t you dare use Prince Xander for your own schemes. Ferris, I’m starting to think I don’t really know you at all.”

Ferris called out in panic, “Athena, are you angry with me?”

Athena didn’t turn back, her delicate brows knitting. “But you shouldn’t have schemed against Prince Xander. If he lays a hand on Lizzie now, it will surely rouse the Emperor’s wrath.”

With the fall of the Monson and Osborne families, there was no one left in court who could keep Xander in check.

The imperial family abhorred any monopoly of power. That was precisely why Arthur granted Ferris the title of Prince of Westmount.

Arthur wanted Ferris to compete with Xander, so he could be the ultimate winner.

Xander was far too sharp not to have seen through this.

But Xander simply let Ferris reap the easy gains and chose not to say a word.

In other words, had Xander not deliberately turned a blind eye, Ferris would never have risen through the ranks so swiftly.

Athena didn’t expect Ferris to feel grateful to Xander. However, she felt that the least Ferris could do was not bite the hand that fed him.

He was exploiting Xander’s feelings for her, making Xander do his dirty work.

Athena turned to Jessa and asked urgently, “Is there any way you can get me out of here?”

Jessa shook her head. “Both the front and back doors are blocked. Princess Lizzie came prepared. There’s no way she’ll let you slip away that easily.”

Athena knew that the moment she showed her face, Lizzie’s people would nab her instantly.

Athena fixed her gaze on Ferris. “You’ve got a backup plan for yourself, haven’t you?”

Ferris was no longer the man he used to be.

Every move Ferris made was carefully calculated.

Athena didn’t believe that Ferris wouldn’t have a backup plan.

Ferris clenched his fists tightly, staring at Athena with deep reluctance. “Athena...”

“Let me go,” Athena said with an unwavering expression. “No matter what schemes you’re plotting, I won’t let you harm Prince Xander.”

Ferris’ face twisted with urgency. “Does he really mean that much to you!”

Athena said, her voice hardening, “Ferris, you can’t repay his kindness with betrayal. If Prince Xander hadn’t secretly sent guards to protect you back then, you’d never have made it back to Pidence City alive. Do you have any idea how many enemies were watching your every move?

“You’d have been dead before you even left the city."

Ferris couldn’t deny Athena’s words.

He knew he was being stalked the whole way back to Pidence City.

He owed his safe return to Pidence City entirely to Xander.

But he could not possibly just let Athena walk away.

Knowing Lizzie’s temper, she wouldn’t rest until she caught Athena.

Xander’s heart ached for Athena, so he’d shield her from all harm.

If those two clash, Lizzie would only end up provoking Xander and bringing trouble upon herself.

However, Ferris could not possibly bear to see the disappointment in Athena’s eyes.

Outside, a commotion erupted. Lizzie’s people had already reached the door.

Loud knocks pounded on the door.

Lizzie’s haughty voice boomed from outside the door. “Guards, break this door down at once!”

“Lizzie, what are you doing here?” Just then, Xander’s deep voice resounded from beyond the door.

As expected, Xander had been watching over Athena from the shadows all this time.

Athena’s face flushed with urgency, “Ferris, what are you waiting for? If Lizzie barges in now, I won’t be able to clear my name. Can you really just stand by and watch me get framed?”

Ferris was torn inside, silently weighing his options.

In the end, he relented.

“Neil,” he called out.

Neil entered and gave Ferris a respectful bow. “Prince Ferris,” he said.

“Take Athena through the secret passage,” Ferris said, his expression heavy with defeat.

He looked utterly drained, as if every ounce of strength had been sucked right out of him. Only dejection remained.

Neil shot Ferris a surprised look, then glanced at Athena. In the end, he said nothing and simply told her, “Miss Monson, follow me.”

Athena fixed her gaze on Ferris for a moment, then followed Neil to the wall.

Neil reached out and twisted the vase. With a soft click, a hidden passage emerged behind the cabinet.

Neil said quietly to her, “Just follow this secret passage. It leads straight out of Star Pavilion.

“Thank you.” Athena slipped swiftly into the secret passage, Jessa right behind her.

The moment they entered, the secret passage sealed seamlessly behind them.

Ferris stood frozen, staring blankly as Athena’s figure vanished into the secret passage. A hollow ache spread through his chest; it felt as if she’d taken a piece of his heart with her.

He knew that Athena’s heart wasn’t his anymore.

It seemed she had taken a liking to Xander.

The argument at the door raged on. Ferris steadied himself and strode out.

“Xander,” Lizzie challenged, her tone sharp. “I’m here to find my husband. Why are you blocking my way? Are you?” Lizzie wouldn’t rest until Athena was publicly humiliated today.

Chapter 330