Chapter 102

Willow was so agitated by Daniel’s words that she nearly fainted. Tears streamed down her face as she glared at him with reddened eyes. “What exactly do you want?”

“I just want a bit of silver to spend. You’re about to become the future wife of a marquis, and you’re still this stingy?” Daniel neered as he extended his hand toward her. “Just hand over the money, and I’ll be on my way.”

In a hurry, Willow pulled a few silver ingots from her sleeve and stuffed them into his hand. “Take all of it and leave now!”

Daniel weighed the silver in his hand, a mocking smile spreading across his face. “That’s all? Do you think I’m a beggar?”

Seeing how shameless he was being, Nona stepped in front of Willow and shouted, “This is a lot! Enough for a regular family to live on for two years! And you’re still not satisfied?”

Daniel slapped Nona across the face. He pointed fiercely at her nose and yelled, “You’re just a servant, and you dare yell in front of me? I’m her father! Keep being cocky, and I’ll beat you to death!”

Nona let out a frightened scream and shrank behind Willow.

Willow’s face turned pale from fear, but she forced herself to stay calm and said, “This is all I have. If you don’t leave now and my mother returns, you won’t be able to leave even if you want to.”

Daniel’s eyes landed on the bracelet around her wrist. Suddenly, he reached out and yanked it off.

Willow cried out and tried to snatch it back, but he had already stuffed it into his chest. “This bracelet looks pretty decent. You’re a rich young lady. You must have plenty of valuables. I’m taking this one.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Stop!” Willow’s voice cracked with urgency. That bracelet was a token of engagement from Michael. There was no way she could let it go.

She quickly moved to block his path and said anxiously, “You can’t take that bracelet!”

As she spoke, she tugged off the gold pendant at her waist and said, “That bracelet isn’t worth much. This pendant is worth a lot more. Take it instead, and return the bracelet.”

Daniel looked at the pendant suspiciously. “Are you trying to trick me? If this pendant is really worth that much, why are you still begging me for the bracelet? Clearly, the bracelet is more valuable, and you’re trying to fool me.”

At this point, Daniel flew into a rage.

With a vicious kick, he struck Willow in the chest. She screamed and fell to the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

Leaning over her, Daniel growled, “Tomorrow at noon, bring 5,000 silver coins to Serene Square. If you don’t, I’ll pawn this bracelet.”

“I don’t have that kind of money. Please, just give it back…” Willow sobbed uncontrollably, her eyes full of desperation. “Please don’t take my bracelet…”

But her tears meant nothing to Daniel. He gave her a wicked grin and left with the bracelet.

“My lady!” Nona rushed over and helped her up, crying as well. “We should call the guards and have him arrested!”

Willow shook her head through her tears. "If we do that, the matter will blow up. I’m about to marry into the Osborne family. There can’t be any scandal."

“But where are we going to find 5,000 coins? That’s no small amount!” Nona cried even harder.

"Why did I have to get stuck with a father like this?" Willow thought bitterly.

Willow bit her lip hard, looking lost and helpless.

Suddenly, Nona suggested, “My lady, go to your mother. She’ll definitely help you.”

But as soon as Willow heard that, she looked terrified, her voice trembling. “No! She must not know about this!"

She gripped Nona’s hand tightly, her voice choked with sobs. “Nona, you’ll help me, right?”

Nona was startled by her extreme reaction.

Willow took a deep breath and quickly wiped her face dry. “Mother already poured her heart and soul into preparing my dowry. I can’t worry her with this."

Nona lowered her head. “You’re right. I didn’t think it through. But how will we find 5,000 coins?”

From the shadows, Athena smirked at the action.

She was curious to see how Willow would come up with the money.

What confused her, though, was that Willow refused to let anyone in the household know about Daniel’s threats.

Everyone in the residence knew she was adopted and that Daniel was a gambler and a scoundrel.

And yet, Willow stopped Nona from speaking out. That was odd.

Eloise would do anything for Willow. No matter how serious the trouble, she’d help her.

It was bizarre how Daniel could rattle Willow so badly.

Athena puzzled over it but couldn’t figure it out.

After returning to her room, she sat in a chair and thought for a long time.

Willow’s reaction was too strange. It was as if she were afraid of Daniel.

"Does Daniel have some dirt on her?" Athena wondered.

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t find the answer.

But one thing Athena was sure of: Willow would stop at nothing to get that bracelet back.

Because it was the token of love Michael had given her.

Athena instructed Trina to keep an eye on Willow. If anything happened, she was to report back immediately.

Four hours later, Trina returned.

Athena eagerly asked, “What’s the news?”

Trina looked disappointed. “Lady Willow kept her composure the whole time. At dinner, she chatted and laughed with the others like nothing happened. Afterward, she went straight back to her courtyard and hasn’t come out since.”

Upon hearing this, Athena bit her finger absentmindedly.

She really couldn’t figure Willow out anymore.

Willow used to cry at the smallest trouble. Now, with her gambler father harassing her, she was acting like nothing was wrong.

She hasn’t asked anyone for help. Could she have a backup plan? The thought kept Athena up all night.

The next morning, she got up early and went to the front courtyard.

When Willow saw her, she looked surprised. “Athena? Why are you here?”

Normally, Athena stayed in her own courtyard and never appeared in front of Willow or Eloise.

This sudden change in behavior caught Willow off guard.

Athena smiled lightly. “What? I’m not allowed to be here?”

“No, I didn’t mean that. This is your home, of course you’re allowed.” Willow’s eyes turned red as she spoke.

Eloise quickly changed the subject. “Athena, you’re just in time. I was about to send for you. Willow’s wedding is coming up, so we’re planning to visit Serene Square. Come with us.”

The nearest temple was in Serene Square.

Athena looked at Willow, whose expression was calm, and asked, "Where are we going?"

"Serene Square. Athena, will you join us?" Willow quickly answered before Eloise could.

Athena caught the hint of urgency in her tone and inwardly smiled.

This kind of invitation normally annoyed her, and she would have refused immediately.

But today, she smiled and said, “Sure.”

The more Willow didn’t want her to go, the more suspicious it was.

Sure enough, when she agreed, Willow’s smile froze.