Chapter 132

The rain intensified from a drizzle to a steady downpour, pooling on the roads and merging into rushing streams. The streetlights on either side cast a hazy glow across the rain-slicked pavement, lending the scene an ethereal tranquility and a touch of dreamlike poetry.

Athena sat in the carriage, tilting her head to gaze out the window. Her long lashes fluttered softly, like butterfly wings. A gentle smile played on her lips as she became completely immersed in the picturesque beauty outside.

Trina smirked and teased, “Lady Athena, even in this downpour, Lord Ferris insists on meeting you for coffee. What could be so urgent that he has to tell you right now!”

Athena caught Trina’s meaning and tapped her lightly on the forehead. “You’re such a tease. Lord Ferris must have something important to discuss with me, so he invited me out. Besides, it’s just coffee. It’s not as complicated as you think.”

Trina covered her head, feigning hurt, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Lady Athena, I wasn’t overthinking it. You’re the one blushing. On a rainy day like this, Lord Ferris was so eager to invite you—his affection is obvious enough!”

As she spoke, Trina shot Athena a knowing wink, looking every bit the perceptive observer.

Athena shot her a mock stern look. “You’re getting more outrageous by the minute. If I don’t rein you in soon, you’ll be getting above yourself.”

“Sorry, Lady Athena. Please spare me,” Trina giggled merrily, not the least bit afraid. She had always known Athena was all bark and no bite—tough words, but a soft heart underneath.

Athena shook her head lightly, completely at a loss with Trina. The carriage stopped, and Trina quickly jumped out to hold an umbrella for Athena.

Athena stepped down from the carriage using the small stool. She had barely steadied herself when a strong hand suddenly seized her arm. The damp scent of rain and something achingly familiar enveloped her.

Sure enough, there stood Michael before her, drenched and dripping. Trina immediately moved to shield Athena. “Lord Osborne, release Lady Athena at once.”

Though the street was nearly empty, it was still possible for someone to witness the scene.

Michael barked coldly, “Get out of here!”

Immediately, two shadow guards rushed forward, covered Trina’s mouth, and dragged her roughly aside.

Seeing this, Athena struggled against his grip and shouted, “Let Trina go!”

“Stay put, Athena, and she lives. Struggle again, and I can’t guarantee her safety,” Michael warned coldly.

The two shadow guards pressed their blades against Trina’s neck, making the threat clear.

Athena glared at Michael through gritted teeth, her voice laced with icy fury. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Rainwater streamed down Michael’s hair as he stared at Athena with knitted brows, his voice laced with unexpected pleading. “Athena, you can’t marry Ferris!”

At the sight of Michael’s disheveled appearance, a flicker of surprise crossed Athena’s face. But almost instantly, that surprise gave way to icy detachment.

“Let go of me,” Athena snapped. “I’m sick of hearing the same warnings from you.”

Michael’s patience finally snapped. He urged desperately. “Why won’t you listen to me, Athena? If you join the McGee family, you’ll be walking straight into ruin.”

“Michael,” Athena snapped, her patience wearing thin. “Whether I live or die is none of your concern. And for the record, I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“Even if Ferris is dying soon and you’ll just end up as a puppet, are you really willing?” Michael pressed on.

Without missing a beat, Athena countered, “With me here, Ferris won’t die, and I will never be anyone’s puppet. If anything, Lord Osborne, shouldn’t you be worrying about your own neck right now?”

Michael was momentarily stunned before he grasped Athena’s meaning. As Fermin’s subordinate, his fate was irrevocably tied to the prince’s. The struggle for the throne was perilous. One misstep could spell utter ruin.

A spark of surprise lit up his eyes as his gaze turned fervent. Looking at Athena, Michael asked, “Athena, are you concerned about me?”

Athena was so exasperated by Michael that she actually let out a laugh, though her face stayed icy cold. “Don't flatter yourself, Michael. I’m just stating the facts. Now let Trina go, and stop hounding me.”

“Athena, I was just too worried about you,” Michael said, his voice laced with exhaustion and helplessness.

Athena let out a cold, bitter laugh. “So that gives you the right to have my maid kidnapped and force my hand? Michael, after all these years, I always believed you were an honorable man. Never did I imagine you’d stoop to such despicable tricks.”

As she spoke, Athena yanked her arm hard, trying to break free from Michael’s grip. But Michael wasn’t about to let her go—his hand instinctively tightened around her wrist.

Suddenly, Athena cried out in pain. He released her at once, as if burned. Blood was already seeping from her wrist.

Michael’s breath hitched as he demanded urgently, “What happened? I didn’t know you were injured.”

Athena didn’t answer him. Pain drained the color from her face, but her eyes stayed icy as she glared at Michael. “Let Trina go.”

“Don’t you care about your safety at all?” Michael nearly roared, his voice raw with fury.

Athena stubbornly ignored him. Michael fixed Trina with an icy glare and demanded, “Explain. How did Athena get hurt?”

Trina said flatly, her eyes full of contempt as she looked at Michael, “Matthew kidnapped Lady Athena. Surely you knew that, Lord Osborne? That day, you were too busy fighting Ferris over her to even notice her injuries.”

Michael’s eyes were locked on Athena’s bleeding wrist, his brows furrowed in fury. “How dare he hurt you like this? Tell me, where is he?”

Athena’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “What’s this, Lord Osborne? Playing the white knight for me now?”

“He’ll pay for hurting you,” Michael growled, reaching for Athena’s wrist only to be stopped by a low, dangerous voice, “Get your filthy hands off her.”

At that moment, an ornate carriage suddenly appeared. Ferris strode toward Athena under his umbrella, posture ramrod straight. A stickler for cleanliness, Ferris didn’t even flinch as mud splattered his elegant robes. His house guards followed closely behind.

Ferris’s face was icy cold, the teardrop mole at the corner of his eye appearing even more sinisterly striking with his fury. He stopped ten feet from Athena and held out his hand. “Athena, come here.”

Athena was about to leave, but Michael stood motionless, fixing her with pleading eyes. “Don’t go to him,” he begged.

Michael shielded Athena behind him, then whirled to face Ferris and snapped, “Over my dead body are you taking her anywhere as long as I’m here.”

Ferris’s voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Do you have a death wish, Michael?”

“Ferris,” Michael glared coldly at him, his sword pressed against Ferris’s throat. “Don’t think your title can protect you. That crumbling title of yours? I don’t even see it as a threat.”

Ferris sneered, “Go ahead, Michael. If you dare, try to hurt me.”

The downpour intensified, the splashing raindrops seeming to mirror the crackling tension between them.

Athena had no choice but to turn to Michael and say coldly, “Didn’t you want to avenge me? Matthew is in the dry well at the abandoned shrine west of the city.”

Michael’s expression wavered for a moment, and Athena seized the chance to dash to Ferris’s side. Upon seeing her choice, Michael’s heart shattered.