Chapter 104

Eloise looked around blankly but didn’t see Athena anywhere. Anxiously, sweat broke out on her forehead.

There were crowds of people passing by.

Dorothea, shielding her from the jostling crowd, suggested, “Madam, why don’t we go inside? There are too many people out here. People in the lively square came from all walks of life. Some were decent, some not. If someone were to bump into Llone, the consequences could be serious.”

“But Athena is gone.” Eloise craned her neck, her face full of worry. “She only has that maid, Trina, with her. What if something happens?"

“She should’ve told you before leaving,” Dorothea sighed, clearly displeased. “If only she understood your concern. Don’t worry about her,” Dorothea had been Eloise’s maid since her dowry days and was utterly loyal. Others wouldn’t dare speak so bluntly.

Eloise patted her hand and smiled. “I’m her mother. It’s only natural to worry. Forget it. Let’s go in.”

Inside the church, Willow and Matthew had been pushed onto a high platform. They looked out over the crowd but couldn’t see her. Elsewhere...

“This is bad. We’ve lost Mother. Will she be worried?” Willow’s little face was filled with distress, her eyes turning red.

Seeing this, Matthew felt terrible and quickly comforted her. “Don’t worry. Mother will be here soon. Most of the worshippers are inside the main hall.”

Willow bit her lip anxiously. “That may be, but her health isn’t good. What if she gets hurt in the crowd?”

Willow looked up at him with hopeful eyes. “Matthew, could you go find her? I’ll wait here at the temple and won’t run off.”

But… Matthew hesitated. Willow only had Nona by her side. The other maids and attendants had been scattered by the crowd; it would take time to gather them. He didn’t want to leave Willow alone.

Seeing this, Nona quickly offered, “Don’t worry, Lord Matthew. I’ll protect Lady Willow.”

Knowing that city guards were stationed today, Matthew nodded.

Matthew turned to Willow and said, “Alright. Stay here and don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back soon.”

“I know,” Willow replied sweetly.

Matthew walked away, looking back several times, only moving on once he saw Willow obediently standing still.

As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, Willow and Nona exchanged a glance and separated.

Not far away, Athena saw this and quickly followed.

Behind her, Trina asked in confusion, “Why would she deliberately send Lord Matthew away? She’s not planning to meet her drunk father, is she?”

Athena sneered coldly. “She cherishes her life too much to walk into danger alone. She must’ve made arrangements. Let’s follow and find out.”

The two avoided the crowd and circled around to the back of the building. Willow was heading toward the side quarters.

Behind the building was a grove that was seldom visited by anyone. Willow was clearly going there to meet Daniel.

Athena climbed a slope and hid in a concealed spot. Sure enough, Willow soon appeared alone in the woods.

“Where’s Nona?” Trina said in surprise.

Athena also found it odd. Willow dared to come alone.

Just then, Daniel appeared. The two quickly ducked into the bushes.

“My dear daughter, you’re finally here. Got the money?” Daniel’s greedy eyes were locked on Willow as if she were a walking pile of coins, not his daughter.

The place was deserted, and Willow grew uneasy. She glanced nervously around, then stepped back to keep her distance.

Before speaking, her eyes welled up with tears.

Suddenly, she choked out, “I beg you, let me go. I really don’t have that many coins. I’m your own daughter! Why are you doing this to me?”

Her reaction shocked both Athena and Trina. They never thought Willow was foolish. After all, she had once gotten Athena enrolled to the army for three years.

But this scene made Athena second guess everything. She had thought Willow would have some backup plan, maybe an ambush to beat Daniel up. Clearly, she was wrong.

The two calmed their surprise and kept watching.

Daniel grew angry. “No money, no deal. Don’t forget, I have your secrets. If you don’t obey, I’ll ruin you.”

Athena and Trina exchanged glances. They were right. Daniel held something over Willow. No wonder she obeyed him.

“Five thousand coins? You think that’s nothing?” Willow’s tone turned fierce. “All these years, I’ve paid off your and Brother’s debts. I’ve given you so many benefits, and you know it.”

She added, “If you ruin me, what’s in it for you? Push me too far, and I’ll walk out of the duke’s estate. Then, you’ll get nothing.”

Enraged, Daniel slapped her hard across the face.

She screamed and clutched her cheek, his furious voice ringing in her ears, “You dare threaten me? I’m your father! If you don’t pay up, I’ll beat you to death right now!”

He began beating her mercilessly. Willow curled up, shielding her head and screaming. “Even if you kill me, I won’t give in!”

Just then, Eloise’s voice suddenly rang out, “Willow, where are you?”

“Miss, where have you gone?” Nona shouted.

Eloise and Nona stumbled toward them. They saw Daniel slapping Willow. Eloise’s skirt was covered in grass, her face flushed with anxiety. Clearly, she had hurried the whole way.

Nona followed close behind, her forehead glistening with sweat.

When they saw Daniel attacking Willow, Eloise’s eyes widened in horror. Her face filled with panic and fury. “Stop!” she cried, stumbling toward her daughter.

Seeing her, Willow screamed, “Mother, don’t come closer!”

She dropped her pitiful act, grabbed Daniel’s leg and shouted, “He’s a madman! Don’t come near!”

Daniel’s eyes were bloodshot. All he could think of was money. When he saw Eloise, he kicked Willow aside and stormed toward her.

Willow fell to the ground with a scream. Eloise froze, terrified by his murderous look. She only had Nona with her. They were no match for this brute.

Daniel kicked Nona into a ditch.

In a few strides, he reached Eloise, seized her collar, and growled, “Where’s the money? Give it to me now!”

Eloise had never seen such a terrifying scene. Her head spun and she fainted on the spot.