Chapter 519

Bruce stopped, turned around to look at Nelson, and asked with confusion, "What more is there?"

Nelson handed him the severance letter and said, "Sign it and add your fingerprint."

Now that they had taken the money, they needed to completely cut ties.

Bruce reluctantly took the severance letter, took the inkpad, pressed his fingerprint on it, and handed it back to Nelson.

Nelson examined it and had Trina press her fingerprint on it before allowing them to leave.

After they left, Trina knelt at Athena’s feet, sobbing uncontrollably, and said, “Thank you, Princess Consort, for your immense kindness.”

“What are you doing? Get up.” Athena held out her hand and helped Trina up.

Although they were not related by blood, Athena had always thought of Trina as her sister.

Athena opened the box, took out Trina’s indenture from it, and handed it to her. “From now on, you are free.”

Trina’s eyes were locked on the deed of sale, her pupils narrowing slightly, as if she were frozen in place, and she momentarily forgot to breathe.

Trina extended her hand, feeling as if her throat were constricted by a ball of cotton, leaving her unable to speak for a long time. “Princess Consort, do you truly want to grant me my freedom?”

The condition of being a slave was akin to an invisible shackle; many individuals spent their entire lives striving to escape this status, often at the cost of their own lives.

Trina never imagined that she could obtain the deed of sale and reclaim her freedom.

“Of course it’s true,” said Athena.

Athena placed the deed of sale in her hands, her eyes filled with tenderness. “You have worked diligently alongside me these years, and you possess a clear mind. What is even rarer is that you have a pure character.

“Now that you have cut ties with your family, you can take this deed of sale and pursue the life you desire."

“Whether you decide to stay in Xander Manor or move away from Pidence City, the choice is entirely yours.”

Trina held the indenture contract, her expression filled with excitement. She was finally free.

Tears streamed down her face unexpectedly as she knelt heavily, bowing three times to Athena, her voice thick with emotion.

“Thank you, Princess Consort! I will always remember your kindness for the rest of my life!”

Nelson watched from the side, a gratified smile on his face.

Having followed Athena for many years, he had a deep understanding of her character. Her grace and kindness were truly rare.

Ansel couldn’t help but nod, secretly admiring her. Athena was not only exceptionally intelligent but also possessed a compassionate heart. It was a stroke of good fortune to follow her.

Athena quickly helped her up, gently wiping away the tears from her face, “Get up, you silly girl.”

Trina cried uncontrollably and couldn’t even speak.

“If you choose to stay at Xander Manor, I will find a suitable marriage for you,” Athena said, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I promise I will treat you well.”

Trina just cried and nodded repeatedly. “Everything is up to you.”

Being a slave, she could only marry a family slave or a vendor, or become someone else’s concubine.

But now it was different. Athena said she would find her a suitable marriage.

She would be a man’s legal wife.

Of course, Trina was willing.

In the evening, Athena and Xander cuddled in bed, sharing whispers with one another.

Then, she told him about it.

After listening, Xander understood what Athena meant.

She wanted him to help her with the arrangements.

Xander said, “Since you brought up choosing a man for Trina, I’m happy to help, but…”

He paused deliberately.

Athena propped herself up and looked at him. “But what?”

Xander pointed at his face. “I can’t help for free. Shouldn’t you offer me something in return?”

Annoyed by his rogue–like appearance, Athena pecked him on the face.

Xander immediately beamed, pulled Athena into his arms, and moved to draw the curtain.

“Hey, what are you doing?” she asked.

Athena Monson struggled, but to Xander, her efforts seemed as futile as a fly trying to shake a tree.

He suppressed her in a few moments.

The curtains fell, creating a private, romantic ambiance that shut out the outside world.

They had a restful night’s sleep.

Athena was awakened by the birds chirping outside the window.

She opened her eyes and felt sore all over, as though she had been drifting at sea all night.

In her dream, she struggled to swim to the shore, but just as she was about to reach the beach, an invisible force pulled her back, leaving her feeling drained.

She moved her fingers and realized that she was being held tightly in Xander’s arms.

His chin rested on the top of her head, and his warm breath brushed against her neck, bringing a comforting sense of security.

Athena gently pushed him and whispered a complaint, “It’s all your fault. I’m sore all over now.”

Xander slowly woke up, with a sleepy look in his eyes.

But when he saw Athena’s flushed cheeks, his face lit up with joy.

He reached out and playfully pinched her nose, laughing as he said, “You were so naughty last night.”

“Stop it!” Athena exclaimed, swatting his hand away as her cheeks flushed even deeper in color, turning her head away from him.

She pushed Xander away, but he clung to her like glue once more.

His heated breath brushed against Athena Monson’s neck, catching her off guard.

Xander was unparalleled in bed; while she enjoyed married life, it was a challenge for her to cope with it every day.

Athena pushed him away, firmly resisting his advances.

Flustered, she said, “I still need to pay my respects to Mother, so please don’t act up.”

Xander stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his arms, looking displeased. “Now that both Randolph and Bernie are older, let’s consider having another one.”

He was longing for a daughter. One that was plump, soft and cute.

He dreamed of being a horse for his daughter to ride.

He loved the thought of taking his little daughter horseback riding in the spring.

Athena appeared frightened and quickly ran under the bed.

She said, “Please give me two years to rest before we discuss this further. Also, how can you be so certain that the next one will be a girl?”

Seeing that she was about to run, Xander hurriedly got out of bed and followed her.

Just as he was about to grab Athena, Trina knocked on the door outside. “Princess Consort, Your Highness, the Osborne family has sent a letter, saying that Mrs. Osborne has given birth to…”

Hearing this, Athena and Xander were both stunned.

Michael had an heir.

“Boy or girl?” Xander asked.

“It’s a beautiful little princess,” Trina said outside.

Xander’s expression dropped. “How is it that Michael can be so fortunate?”

Athena glared at him. “Just because you weren’t meant to have a daughter doesn’t mean others can’t.”

Xander said, “I didn’t expect that his first child would be a daughter; he is so lucky.”

The envy in Xander’s eyes was evident.

He grew a bit restless and instructed Trina, “Please prepare a generous gift and send it to the Osborne family. Let Michael know that Athena and I will arrive shortly.”

Trina responded from outside and withdrew.

Athena disapproved and nudged Xander. “They just welcomed a newborn, and you’re already so eager to visit.”

“I’m not going to the backyard. I just want to see Michael,” said Xander.

When he said these words, Xander sounded as if he were gnashing his teeth.

Athena was speechless.

She knew he was making excuses for his envy.

Chapter 520