Chapter 82

The next day, Athena went to visit Margaret. When she arrived, Lucky was in Margaret’s arms, drinking milk. After a period of rest and care, Lucky was looking much more energetic. As soon as Athena walked in, Lucky wagged his tail excitedly at her, clearly thrilled to see her.

“Athena, you’re here!” Margaret beamed, waving her over. “Come quick, look how much better Lucky is doing now.”

Margaret was in high spirits, her complexion rosy. Seeing this, Athena felt a wave of relief. Athena settled beside Margaret and playfully teased Lucky. The puppy responded by giving her hand a few licks with its tiny tongue, its tail wagging even more enthusiastically.

Seeing this, Margaret chuckled even more heartily. “This little fellow is truly grateful,” she said warmly. “He remembers you saved his life, and that’s his way of thanking you, Athena.”

Athena smiled and gently stroked Lucky’s fur. Suddenly, Margaret grasped Athena’s wrist. Her heart ached as she noticed the tiny, unhealed wounds. Looking at them with concern, she asked tenderly, “Does it still hurt, dear?”

These were the wounds she got when she smashed the rockery with a hammer the other day. Although they had healed, the skin was still red. The wounds were minor. Athena didn’t give them a second thought. Compared to what she’d suffered before, these were nothing but scratches.

“Just a few scratches, Grandma,” Athena said with a light shrug. “No need to make a fuss, it doesn’t hurt a bit.”

Athena’s hands were nothing like those delicate, porcelain-white hands of noble ladies. Hers were marred with scars, and her palms were rough with thick calluses. Though she had been recuperating for some time, her hands remained rough to the touch.

Margaret’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Athena. “My dear, you’re a young woman after all. You must take better care of yourself. Please, don’t go risking your life like that again.” Even though no one had told her the full story, Grandmother had already caught wind of it.

With Willow being punished, Margaret knew Athena was involved. Her heart ached for Athena, worried she might be wronged or come to harm.

Seeing Margaret in tears, Athena quickly grabbed a handkerchief and gently wiped them away, reassuring her over and over. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I promise I’ll be more careful from now on.”

Margaret sniffled and nodded. Then Margaret gently asked about Athena’s marriage, “How is your engagement with Ferris progressing?” This matter had always weighed on Margaret’s mind. When she heard yesterday that Gale had come to the mansion, she thought it was to make a formal marriage proposal. But after that, there was no word.

Meeting her hopeful gaze, Athena’s heart ached with a mix of guilt and sadness. She didn’t know how to tell Margaret about her situation. Athena thought to herself, ‘In this lifetime, I never planned on getting married again. But if Grandmother ever found out how I really felt, it would only make her worry.’ Margaret had always hoped to find Athena a dependable partner, so she would have security in her later years and wouldn’t be left alone.

After a moment’s thought, Athena said tactfully, "Grandma, Gale seems quite pleased with me."

At these words, Margaret felt her worries ease. If Gale was pleased, then the match was promising. Margaret gently patted Athena’s hand and said, “In a few days, why don’t you bring him over to meet me? I only saw him a few times when he was little. After he moved to Athkar with his mother, I never saw him again.”

“Athkar?” Athena looked surprised. “What did he go there for?”

Margaret thought for a moment and said, “They say the McGee family took another wife in Athkar, and Gale was so upset that she took her son and went there.” At this, Margaret burst into laughter. “Oh, it’s all just hearsay, who knows if it’s true? But after that, Ferris vanished for years and only recently returned to Pidence City.”

Athena frowned in thought. ‘Yeah, that seems about right,’ she mused to herself. Before Athena joined the military camp, Ferris had already left Pidence City. She did see him once before his departure. He cast her a distant glance before turning away.

Ferris had always been aloof and distant by nature. Back then, Athena was completely preoccupied with Michael, so she barely gave Ferris a second thought. Little did Athena realize, his family had fallen into turmoil. But by the time he returned, nothing was the same anymore.

Athena’s heart grew heavy as she thought, ‘Perhaps because, like me, Ferris has suffered life’s cruel twists of fate. With him, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of kinship, a bond born of shared hardship.’

When lunchtime came, Margaret insisted Athena stay to eat with her. Margaret had prepared Athena’s favorite dishes. Athena ate with relish. Seeing how much she enjoyed her meal, Margaret found herself eating more than usual.

Gwen teased with a warm smile, “Miss Monson, you should come keep Mrs. Monson at meals more often. She’s had such a better appetite today with you here!”

“Alright, Grandma. I’ll come eat with you whenever I’m free, as long as you don’t mind my big appetite!” Athena said with a grin.

Margaret laughed heartily and said, “Even if you came every single day, I’d still be more than happy to feed you.”

After chatting with Margaret for a while longer, Athena finally took her leave.

After leaving, Athena had just reached the front garden when she spotted Fiona sitting alone in the gazebo, lost in thought. Athena never really felt anything in particular toward Fiona. Fiona was nearly invisible in the household, as if she barely existed. The only thing Athena really remembered about Fiona was how quiet and reserved she was. She hardly ever spoke and was rarely seen around the house.

But today, Fiona unexpectedly stepped up to her, forcing a stiff, ingratiating smile onto her face. “Miss Monson,” she greeted awkwardly. Her expression was uneasy, and when she looked at Athena, a flicker of fear flashed in her eyes. She looked as if standing there in front of Athena took every ounce of her courage.

Athena remained composed, a faint smile touching her lips as she greeted, “Mrs. Monson.”

Fiona didn’t care about Athena’s form of address. She extended a small box toward Athena with a tentative smile. “This is just a token of my regard. I do hope you will accept it.”

When the box was opened, a stunning pair of exquisitely crafted hairpins was revealed inside. The kingfisher feather hairpins gleamed with vibrant hues, their meticulously arranged feathers revealing exquisite craftsmanship, clearly worth a fortune at first glance.

Athena looked at her, puzzled. “Mrs. Monson, why are you giving me something so valuable?” There was no real conflict between her and Fiona, if anything, their only connection was the superficial in-law relationship. ‘But why would Fiona give me such an extravagant gift?’ Athena wondered.

Athena pushed the box back, unwilling to accept an unearned gift. “I can’t take this,” she said firmly.

Fiona’s eyes reddened slightly in distress as she shook her head. “I mean no offense, Miss Monson,” she said urgently. “Please don’t misunderstand, you really must accept this.”

Flustered and barely coherent, Fiona was so afraid Athena would refuse that she thrust the box into her hands. Then, forcing an apologetic smile at Athena, she hastily retreated with her maid.

Athena watched Fiona’s flustered departure, confusion flickering across her face. After thinking it over, it suddenly clicked.

Athena thought, ‘Fiona must have overheard Nicolas that day. She’s afraid he’ll have her son adopted by me. That’s why she’s trying to curry favor.’ Fiona feared that one day her son might end up under Athena’s care, and that Athena would treat him poorly.

Athena gave a wry smile, her eyes turning icy cold. ‘Does Nicolas really think everyone should just dance to his tune?’ Athena thought to herself, full of disdain.

The box in Athena’s hands felt like an unwanted burden. She called Trina over. “Take this back to her,” Athena instructed. “Tell her, what’s hers will always be hers, no one can take it, and I wouldn’t accept it even if she offered.”

Trina nodded and left with the box. The garden was bursting with vibrant blooms, yet Athena had no mind to appreciate the view.

Nicolas strode over, his face dark and stormy. His target was clearly Athena. His men had blocked off the roads ahead and behind her. Clearly, he had something to say.

Athena stood her ground, watching as Nicolas stormed toward her. "Athena!" he barked.

Athena shot Nicolas a cold, disdainful look. Fiona’s pitiful expression only deepened her disgust toward him. ‘He’s a complete and utter scumbag,’ Athena thought to herself. Everyone around him was just a stepping stone for his ambition. Athena thought bitterly, ‘He’d even exploit his own flesh and blood. Such an irresponsible husband, such a heartless scum, how is he even qualified to serve in court?’

“Lord Nicolas, you’re positively fuming today.” Athena paused, feigning sudden realization. “Let me guess, could it be that your precious little brother’s promotion just went up in smoke?”

“Shut your mouth!” Nicolas glowered at her, his face dark with fury.

Athena let out a mocking laugh. “Looks like I hit the nail on the head.”

Seeing her like this, Nicolas’s fury burned even hotter. He snapped coldly, “What exactly did you say to Gale? Why is the engagement that should’ve been finalized by now still hanging in the air?”