Chapter 73

Athena’s face turned icy as she shot Matthew a warning glare. “Fool! Instead of meddling in my affairs, you’d better watch your own steps. Don’t go causing trouble and disgracing the Monson family.”

With that, she shot Matthew one last icy glare before turning on her heel and walking away without a second glance. To everyone’s surprise, Henry made no move to stop her.

Matthew looked at Henry, puzzled. “Father, are you really just going to let her off that easily?”

“Or what?” Henry glared at his good-for-nothing second son, venting all his anger on him. “If you could earn a Prince’s favor like she did, you’d be this arrogant too.”

Matthew froze for a moment; he’d completely forgotten about Athena’s arrangement with Xander. Every five days, Athena was required to visit Xander to teach embroidery. At this thought, Matthew clenched his jaw so hard his teeth nearly shattered.

He thought, ‘If I’d known I was just paving the way for Athena, I never would’ve worn those clothes she made to Xander.’

At Ivory Grove, Eloise’s heart wrenched at the sight of Willow’s bruised and battered body, tears streaming down her face. The estate physician had already tended to Willow’s wounds, but it would take at least ten days for her to heal properly. But with the Osborne family coming tomorrow for the engagement ceremony, they didn’t know what they were supposed to do.

With a troubled expression, Henry pondered for a moment before saying, “We’ll have to tell the Osborne family that Willow has caught a cold and can’t be exposed to the wind. Please ask them to be understanding.”

“But… that won’t do!” Eloise said anxiously, wringing her hands. “It’s Willow’s big day, after all. If she doesn’t show up, people will start gossiping.” Henry and Eloise exchanged helpless glances, both at a complete loss, their faces clouded with worry.

From the bed, Willow let out a feeble gasp. “Father… Mother…” Willow was pale-faced and drenched in cold sweat from the pain.

“Tomorrow… I must be there,” Willow insisted, her face pale but filled with determination, her voice weak yet unwavering. “But… you’re still injured,” Eloise said, her eyes reddening with concern. Deep down, she couldn’t help but think, ‘Athena is just too heartless.’

Willow weakly shook her head. “Father, Mother… I think I know a way to get through this.” Hearing this, Henry and Eloise both turned eagerly to Willow. “What’s your solution?” “Aconite powder,” Willow forced out through her parched lips, each word a struggle.

Eloise’s face darkened instantly. As the mistress of Henry’s household, she was all too familiar with aconite powder. While the aconite powder provided miraculous pain relief, its side effects were dangerously potent. Aconite powder contained a high concentration of datura extract. After ingestion, it first induced mental exhilaration, then extreme fatigue, and eventually plunged the user into hallucinatory dreams. Prolonged use could cause skin ulceration and festering sores, ultimately leading to an incurable condition that claimed one’s life.

Chapter 73

Henry’s eyes suddenly lit up with realization. Without a second thought, he declared, “There’s really no other way right now. Besides, tomorrow is Willow’s engagement ceremony; we can’t have her immobilized by pain.” Eloise wanted to dissuade them, but before she could speak, Willow cut her off.

“Mother, please,” Willow begged, her voice trembling as she gazed pitifully at Eloise, her eyes filling with tears, large drops welling up, on the verge of spilling over. The sight of Willow, so pitiful and helpless, like a wounded fawn, made Eloise’s heart clench as if twisted by a knife. Eventually, her heart softened and she nodded, saying, “Alright, just this once. Don’t do it again.” She reassured herself, ‘There’s an experienced estate physician here. Nothing serious should happen.’

The next day, the Osborne family arrived as promised. Willow was helped up at dawn to prepare for the engagement ceremony, the pain having dulled from the aconite powder she’d taken. Thick layers of gauze tightly bound her wounds, while she doused herself in heavy perfume to mask the lingering scent of medicine. Willow’s face was deathly pale, so the maid dusted a heavy layer of powder on her cheeks and painted her lips with rouge. At first glance, she looked perfectly normal; no one would have guessed anything was wrong.

As Willow emerged from the courtyard, she saw Athena deep in conversation with Kelsey. Kelsey slipped a red silk–wrapped bundle from her sleeve and pressed it into Athena’s hand. Athena flashed her a smile. “Thank you,” she said.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Athena caught sight of Willow, and a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes. Athena thought to herself, ‘After what Willow went through, I was sure she’d be bedridden for days. How is she standing here so steadily? This is truly astonishing.’

Kelsey immediately caught the flicker of surprise in Athena’s eyes. Instinctively, she followed Athena’s gaze, only to see Willow and Eloise slowly approaching from the side gate. Kelsey turned slightly, her gaze landing on Athena with a hint of warning in her eyes. “Now that you have what you came for, I expect you to keep your word: stay away from my son.”

Athena tightly clutched the item in her hand and said earnestly, “Even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have kept my word.” Her words made Kelsey’s brows furrow slightly. She had witnessed firsthand just how obsessed Athena had once been with Michael. She thought, ‘Now that she’s latched onto the McGee family, she cast aside my son without a second thought. What a cold-hearted, ungrateful woman.’

Seeing Eloise and Willow approaching, Athena gave Kelsey a faint, polite smile, then turned and walked away. Early that morning, a messenger from Xander arrived with a letter. He would be sending a carriage to fetch her today. Athena went back to pack her things, getting ready to head to Xander.

As she turned, Michael’s towering figure abruptly came into view. The early morning light gilded him with a golden edge, accentuating the sharp, chiseled planes of his face. His cool, piercing eyes seemed even more mesmerizing in the soft morning light.

Chapter 73

He stood there quietly, tall and straight like a steadfast pine, radiating an innate nobility and composure. His gaze landed on Athena’s hand, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Even from several feet away, Athena could feel the icy hostility radiating from Michael. Maybe she was just imagining things, but for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of pain in Michael’s eyes. Athena wondered, ‘What’s he so upset about? Today is supposed to be the happiest day of his life; he’s finally marrying the woman he loves. He should be happy, shouldn’t he?’

Athena sighed inwardly, filled with helpless frustration. She truly wanted to avoid any further entanglement with Michael, yet fate had placed her on the only path leading to the front courtyard, right past him. Steeling herself, Athena slowly made her way toward Michael.

As she approached, Athena gave a slight, respectful bow and said in a formal tone, “Congratulations, Lord Osborne.” With that, she gave a shallow curtsy, a gesture so cold and perfunctory, it was as if no intimacy had ever existed between them. However, Michael’s face instantly darkened with fury, his expression turning as stormy as gathering thunderclouds. His eyes bulged with rage, as if flames were about to shoot out. Through clenched teeth, he demanded, “Athena, ask yourself, how could you betray me like this?”

Before Athena had a chance to respond, Michael suddenly reached out and seized her wrist in a vise-like grip. Then, his voice rose in furious accusation, trembling with anger and pain. “You actually treated our relationship as a bargaining chip you could trade at will, Athena. What you’ve done makes me sick to my stomach!”