Chapter 145

“Macy…” A piercing scream tore from Athena’s lips, her eyes wide with panic and disbelief. She couldn’t accept this ending, no matter what.

‘I already found Macy,’ Athena thought. ‘I was so close to the truth. Why? Why did it have to end like this?’

Macy coughed up blood, her trembling hand reaching desperately toward Athena, but Willow viciously kicked her away.

Screaming, Willow scrambled backward, rolling and crawling until she hid behind Matthew. Blood soaked her neck, and it was impossible to tell whether it was Macy’s or her own. Normally, she would have burst into tears by now. But today, whether from sheer terror or something else, Willow just stood there trembling, her wide eyes fixed on Athena in abject horror.

“A–Athena…” Macy choked out, her guilt-ridden gaze fixed on Athena. Her lips moved, trying to speak, but only more blood gushed from her mouth. Her muttering was too garbled to make out any syllables.

Athena was sobbing uncontrollably, her face streaked with tears as she desperately clutched Macy’s hand, pressing it against the gushing wound on her chest. “Don’t talk, Macy. I’ll save you, I promise. I’ll save you…” But the blood kept seeping through her trembling fingers, and she couldn’t stop it. Athena had never felt so helpless before. Cradling Macy in her arms, she wailed in anguish. It was a far cry from her usual composed self.

Macy’s mouth fell open as she gasped for air. “M–Miss…” She struggled to speak, but no words came out. Finally, her gaze turned toward Willow, and she went still. The raw hatred in those dead eyes made Willow’s blood run cold.

Willow clung desperately to Matthew’s sleeve, her whole body shaking with terror. “Matthew, save me! Please, Matthew, save me…” Matthew finally snapped out of his daze and barked at Willow, “Run! Now!”

‘With Macy dead, Athena will come after me and Willow first,’ Matthew thought. He steadied himself and attempted to placate Athena. “It was just an accident. I wouldn’t have hurt her if Macy hadn’t suddenly gone mad.” No sooner had he spoken than Athena swung her longsword at him. Her strikes were wild and frenzied, fueled by brute strength alone. There was nothing in her eyes but hatred.

Matthew barely dodged. The blade grazed past his hair and, to his shock, actually severed a section of his long hair. “Athena, have you gone mad?” Matthew roared, desperate to bring Athena back to her senses. “It’s just a maid, for god’s sake! I’m your brother. Are you going to kill me over this?” But no matter what he said, Athena wouldn’t listen. Her eyes were blood-red with madness, and her blade whirled with increasing frenzy. Matthew retreated frantically, refusing to strike back. He dismissed Athena as no real threat. ‘She’s just a weak woman,’ he thought. ‘She can’t possibly hurt me.’ He didn’t strike back because of his guilty conscience.

Athena snarled through gritted teeth, “A life for a life. Why can’t I kill you?” The hatred in her eyes was practically overflowing. The fire raging in her chest burned even fiercer. “Matthew deserves to die,” she thought. “Willow even more so.”

Suddenly, Athena flung a throwing knife at Matthew. Matthew never expected her to use hidden weapons. As the throwing knife flashed toward his face, he barely managed to raise his arm to block. Bracing for a crippling wound, he was stunned when, "clang," the blade got deflected away.

Willow looked up in shock to see Michael standing ahead, his expression dark with fury. “Michael!” Willow sobbed, rushing toward him like a drowning woman reaching for her lifeline. Before Matthew could react, Athena charged at Willow, sword flashing. With a vicious slash, she brought the blade down, aiming straight for Willow’s jugular.

Eloise, who had just arrived, was so shocked by the scene that she let out a horrified shriek and instinctively clapped her hands over her eyes. Michael never expected Athena to be so murderous. With no other choice, he pulled Willow protectively into his arms. Yet before they could even catch their breath, Athena’s blade was already upon them again. Left with no alternative, Michael kicked Athena away. As a seasoned warrior, his raw strength was formidable. Even folding back, his kick still sent Athena sprawling to the ground.

“Athena,” Michael murmured, his eyes filled with pained reluctance. He wanted to check on Athena’s injuries, but Willow clutched his arm in a death grip. Deathly pale, Willow stared up at him with terrified eyes. “Michael, save me. Athena is trying to kill me!” she cried. Her iron grip pinned Michael’s arms, and he couldn’t move an inch.

Just as Athena tried to rise again, Matthew attacked the side of her neck, knocking her out. “Oh, Athena,” Eloise gasped, rushing to Athena’s side as she saw Athena collapse. Just as Eloise was about to examine Athena’s injuries, she heard Willow’s soft, frightened sobbing. Trina also rushed to Athena’s side, helping her up. “Athena, please wake up!”

Only then did Eloise turn to Willow, taking in her disheveled appearance, clothes torn and splattered with blood. Terror filled Willow’s clear eyes, and her whole frame trembled slightly. Eloise’s heart ached as she looked Willow over, then pulled her into a tight embrace. “Shhh… It’s okay now. You’re safe.” “Mother,” Willow whispered faintly before collapsing backward.

Reluctantly, Michael tore his gaze from Athena and caught Willow as she collapsed. He scooped Willow into his arms and ordered the servants, “Take Athena back to her chambers, now!” Matthew finally regained his composure and issued a deadly order, “If a single word about what happened today goes out, all of you will be dead.” The word “dead” sent shivers down the servants‘ spines. They nodded frantically, too terrified to even breathe loudly.

Michael carried Willow away, with Eloise and Matthew following close behind. Trina supported Athena, tears streaming down her face. ‘My poor lady,’ Trina thought, ‘she finally found Macy, only to watch her die right before her eyes. How could she not go mad?’

Meanwhile, Ferris arrived at the gates of the duke’s estate with his men. But the gates were tightly shut. No matter how hard he knocked, no one responded from within. Ferris’s brow furrowed in frustration as he asked sharply, “What’s going on? Why won’t they open the gate?” The servant replied helplessly, “Lord Ferris, the duke’s estate is closed today, no visitors allowed.”

Ferris was frantic with worry. He rushed over immediately upon receiving the news. He never expected to be turned away at the duke’s estate. Unable to force his way in, Ferris had no choice but to order his attendant, “Go and see what’s going on inside the estate.” The attendant nodded and slipped around to the back gate. To his surprise, the back door, usually left unattended, was now tightly guarded. Before he could say a word, someone shooed him away.

Hanging his head, he returned to report, “Lord Ferris, everyone inside the duke’s estate is tight-lipped. I couldn’t get any information.” “No information at all?” Ferris felt a surge of anxiety, his mind racing. ‘Could something have happened to Athena?’ After a moment’s hesitation, Ferris stepped down from his carriage and personally approached to knock on the door. He waited for a long time before a grumpy gatekeeper finally opened it. Upon recognizing Ferris, the man forced a pained expression and said, “Please forgive me, Lord Ferris, but the duke’s estate isn’t receiving visitors today. You’d best return.” “How dare you! I am Athena’s fiancé. I demand to see her. Open this gate at once,” Ferris urged. However, the gatekeeper stood firm. “My apologies, but I can’t disobey orders. Please leave.” With that, he slammed the door shut decisively.

Ferris was so angry that he kicked the door hard, his face twisted with helplessness.