Chapter 89
Athena froze at the doorway, panic flashing across her face before she quickly composed herself.
‘No matter what, I have to stop Michael,’ she told herself.
She took several deep breaths to steady her nerves.
Then, turning to Trina behind her, Athena ordered firmly, “Go now, send a letter to Lady Osborne. Tell her she must stop Michael at all costs.”
Meanwhile, Athena went to find Nicolas. He was the only one who could enter the imperial palace, and every second he could buy them mattered. The rest depended on Kelsey.
Athena hurried back to the main hall, where she found Nicolas already there. It was clear he had heard the news as well. His usually handsome features were now drawn with worry, his brows tightly knit in visible distress. Willow remained curled up in Eloise’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, her grief so profound it seemed as if her entire world had collapsed.
Upon seeing Athena, Nicolas shot her a frosty glare. He demanded sharply, “What on earth did you say to Michael? Why has he suddenly changed his mind?”
Athena was long accustomed to Nicolas’s accusations. She leisurely took a seat, her expression calm as she sipped her tea before speaking. In a measured, crystal-clear voice laced with mock sentiment, Athena remarked, “Who would have thought Lord Osborne is so devoted to me that he’d trade his military medals for an imperial marriage decree? Such profound affection is truly… touching.”
Nicolas, Eloise, and Willow all cried out at once, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. “What?”
Willow, who had been sobbing softly, suddenly let out a shrill, desperate wail. “Mother! What am I supposed to do? How can I possibly handle this?”
Eloise panicked instantly, anxiously wringing the handkerchief in her hands. She shot a frantic look at Nicolas and urged, “Hurry, go stop Michael! You two grew up together, he’ll listen to you, at least a little.”
“Yes.” Nicolas stood, face darkening. He shot Athena a venomous glare before storming out.
Athena maintained a composed facade, but her hand trembled slightly within her sleeve. She thought anxiously, ‘I just hope Nicolas can stop Michael and buy Kelsey some time.’
Athena stood up and walked out. Eloise glanced at her but remained silent.
Willow also stood up to follow.
“Willow…” Eloise called out nervously, afraid Athena might hurt her again.
Willow forced a smile at her mother, her eyes still red. “I just want to have a word with my sister. I’ll be fine.”
Eloise hesitated, recalling how close the sisters had once been. Maybe they could finally resolve things. She stayed behind, but said anxiously, “Athena has a bit of a temper. Please try to be patient with her.”
Willow nodded, then hurried after Athena.
Michael’s sudden move caught Athena completely off guard, leaving her in a daze all day. It wasn’t until Trina tugged at her sleeve that Athena finally snapped out of it.
Trina called out, “Miss, Lady Willow is calling for you.” Her eyes brimmed with disdain; even as just a maid, she could see Athena couldn’t stand Willow. So she wondered why Willow kept throwing herself at her like some desperate fool.
While Athena was lost in thought, Willow had already come up to her. Willow stopped right in front of Athena, her eyes red and puffy, looking at her like a frightened little rabbit. The sight only made Athena more irritated. She frowned and snapped, “What is it?”
“Sister…” Willow choked out, her voice barely recognizable through her sobs.
Athena had no patience for Willow’s act. She turned to leave, but Willow stubbornly pursued her, refusing to give up. Summoning all her courage, Willow demanded, “Can’t you just stop stealing Michael from me?”
Athena snapped out of her daze at Willow’s words, her mind suddenly clear. Her voice was icy as she glared at Willow, eyes blazing with anger. “Willow, watch your tongue,” Athena hissed. “He’s your lawfully wedded husband. Have you lost your mind saying something like that?”
Normally, Willow would never have dared to speak like this. But today, perhaps goaded by Michael, her voice rose shrilly as she pressed on relentlessly, “I saw it! There was a scrap of Michael’s fabric in your carriage. You must have met with him this morning!”
By this point, Willow was sobbing uncontrollably, her face streaked with tears. Clutching desperately at Athena’s sleeve, she suddenly collapsed to her knees.
Willow choked out between sobs, “Everyone has their own destiny. You can’t destroy my marriage just because the McGee family favors you. Please, I’m begging you, don’t take Michael from me. He’s all I have left. If anything happens to Ferris, I swear I won’t abandon you…” Her plea broke off in a strangled cry.
A shriek tore from Willow’s throat. Before she could react, Athena’s palm landed hard across her face.
Athena’s eyes blazed. ‘Damn that mouth of hers, I wish I could rip it apart,’ she seethed inwardly.
She thought, ‘Servants bustle through the garden, yet Willow has dared to claim I have spent the morning with Michael. If word got out, what would become of my reputation? I’d be branded a homewrecker, an adulteress who seduced another woman’s husband. And on top of that, Willow has even cursed Ferris. I’ve been holding back my anger for so long. I’ve wanted to hit Willow for ages.’
Before, Willow was always under such tight security that Athena never had a chance. But today, Willow had practically handed her face over. After several vicious slaps, Willow’s face was swollen beyond recognition.
Chaos erupted instantly, the scene devolving into mayhem. Willow’s piercing screams echoed through the garden. None of the servants dared to intervene; they could only watch from a safe distance, paralyzed with fear.
Nona rushed to shield Willow, but Trina kicked her straight into the pond with a splash. Flailing in the water, Nona gasped out, “Help… Save Lady Willow! Go get Lady Eloise, quick!”
Fearing a death might occur, the servants rushed to alert Eloise.
Moments later, Eloise rushed over, her heart nearly stopping at the horrific scene before her. Willow’s once-delicate face was swollen beyond recognition, blood trickling from her split lip. Her carefully styled hair had been torn loose as Athena gripped it, raining slap after merciless slap upon her.
Between screams and sobs, Willow stretched out a trembling hand toward her mother, pleading, “Mother! Help me!”
“Stop!” Eloise’s face drained of color at the scene. She barked, her voice trembling, “Someone, pull Athena away, now!”
Only then did the servants dare to rush forward, scrambling over each other to drag Willow away. As the two were being pulled apart, Athena landed a brutal kick to Willow’s chest, sending her flying backward. The pain was so excruciating that Willow couldn’t even scream; she just collapsed to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Several servants struggled in vain to restrain Athena as she still tried to kick Willow again. Seeing this, Eloise immediately hurled herself over Willow, shielding her protectively with her own body.
Eloise’s gaze burned with hatred as she glared at Athena. “How could you beat her like this? She’s your sister!”
Athena’s hand had gone numb from the force of her blows, her fingertips completely devoid of sensation, yet her fury remained unsated. Eyes blazing, she glared at Willow. She jabbed an accusing finger at her and, her voice trembling with rage, snapped, “Ask her yourself!”
Willow lay cradled in Eloise’s arms, her voice gone hoarse from desperate sobbing.
Before Eloise could say a word, Trina hurried forward and said, “Lady Eloise, just now Lady Willow stopped my lady and made some outrageous remarks, so my lady had no choice but to strike her.”
Eloise’s face paled in shock. “What kind of blasphemous words could possibly warrant beating her like this?”
Seeing Willow so severely injured, Eloise felt her heart shatter.
“Lady Willow falsely accused my lady of having an affair with Lord Osborne, and even dared to curse Lord McGee.”
Eloise stared at Willow in horror. ‘How could you possibly say such a thing?’ she thought, utterly shocked. If word of this got out, it would be enough to get her killed.