Peace Street buzzed with the clamor of crowds.
Suddenly, a volley of curses erupted from a casino. One of the burly attendants barked, “Out of cash? Get lost! You think this is some damn charity?”
Two burly bouncers flung a young man out the door. After a flurry of punches and kicks, the young man could only curl up in a fetal position, arms wrapped around his head, too terrified to fight back.
Not a single soul in the bustling crowd stopped to gawk. After all, such scenes were nothing new. Nine out of ten gamblers would end up losing. That was the hard truth for everyone who came to this casino. At best, they would lose everything. At worst, their families were destroyed. People didn’t think these gamblers deserved any sympathy.
Once the bouncers had left, the man slowly struggled to his feet, still wincing from the beating. He spat viciously toward the gambling den. “Damn bastards! Don’t you know who I am? I’m the brother of Miss Monson! You dare lay hands on me? Just wait, I’ll make sure you regret this!”
His face bruised and swollen from the beating, Blake Holmes limped forward, muttering curses under his breath. Just as he was about to snap at whoever blocked his way, a hefty silver ingot gleamed before his eyes.
“Money!” Blake’s eyes gleamed as he lunged to snatch it, but the other person swiftly withdrew their hand.
He scowled, pissed off, and glared at the newcomer.
Nona Melton leaned in and whispered, “Want silver? Follow me.”
Nona turned and walked away, with Blake chasing after her like a dog after a bone.
Before long, Nona led him into a secluded alleyway.
There stood a woman in a veiled hat, waiting silently.
Blake’s eyes lit up. He strode right up to Willow, showed his hand, and demanded rudely, “I’m out of money. Hand over some more, now.”
Willow’s face turned livid with rage. Blake had always treated her as nothing but a cash cow. He kept pestering her for money every few days. At first, it was just a small amount, but soon he demanded at least thousands each time. Blake indulged in every vice imaginable, including drinking, gambling, and womanizing. He squandered every last bit of his money.
Willow seated, could kill him right now, he thought. But remembering what she still needed him for, Willow forced herself to swallow her anger.
Chapter 166
Willow untied the money pouch from her waist and handed it to Blake.
Blake snatched the pouch with glee, but after being it in his hand, his face darkened. “What the hell? This is not enough?” Peering inside, he found just a dozen coins. He jiggled the money pouch and sneered, “What’s this? I’m your brother, is this how you treat me?”
His shameless attitude made Willow’s blood boil. "From now on…" Willow’s eyes instantly welled up with tears, which began to stream down her cheeks. “Brother, I can’t give you any more money from now on…”
Blake snapped, “What the hell? Are you saying you’re abandoning me and Mom now?”
Blake’s eyes bulged with rage as he snarled, “You little bitch! Don’t forget, it was Mom who paved your way into the Monson family. Now that she’s old, you’re just going to turn your back on her? What kind of ungrateful brat are you?”
With that, Blake reached out to shove Willow. Nona quickly stepped forward to shield her and cried out urgently, “Blake, please calm down! It’s really not Miss Monson’s fault, it was Miss Athena who took most of the family fortune. Miss Monson is barely getting by in the Monson family. She had to scrimp and save every penny just to scrape together this bit of money.”
Nona pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears as she spoke.
Willow began to sob as well. Together with Nona, they looked like a pair of pitiful refugees. They couldn’t have looked more miserable.
Blake eyed her skeptically. “Yeah right. Lady Eloise dotes on you. How could she ever cut you off from money?”
With visible guilt, Willow said, “Brother, during those three years when Athena was in military service, Margaret sent her money every month. But I secretly gave all that money to you, at great risk to myself.”
Willow put on a show of remorse. “I know it’s wrong, but you’re my brother! How could I just stand by and watch my brother wallow in poverty? Ever since Athena came back, I’ve been walking on eggshells. Now even Margaret is starting to suspect me."
Nona chimed in urgently. “The Monson family isn’t what it used to be. Eloise barely has any money left, and with Miss Monson’s delicate position, she can’t keep asking her for money. It would only breed resentment over time.”
Having said this, Nona stole a glance at Willow.
With red-rimmed eyes, Willow gave her an approving look.
Nona’s heart swelled with delight as she pressed on, “Blake, now that Athena has left the estate, perhaps you don’t know, but she’s a miracle healer. Her remedies are worth their weight in gold. Instead of making things difficult for my lady, why not go to Athena? After all, she’s your sister, too.”
“Mona, how could you say that?" Willow hurriedly tried to stop her, her voice trembling with panic. She shot a flustered glance at Blake and pleaded, “Brother, please. I beg you, don’t go after Athena again. Nona’s just making things up, don’t listen to her.”
Nona exclaimed angrily, “Miss Monson, you’re suffering so much, why are you still protecting Athena? If it weren’t for her, you would’ve married into the Osborne family long ago! You may forbid me to speak, but I must say it! Athena has latched onto the McGee family and now holds ten shops in her hands. Why should she get to live the high life out there…”
With a resounding slap, Willow’s hand shot out dramatically and struck Nona across the face.
Willow glared at Nona and snapped, “Silence, you insolent servant! Have I spoiled you so much that you’ve forgotten your place?”
In a choked, tearful voice, Nona sobbed, “Miss Monson, even if you beat me to death, I must speak out!”
Chapter 165
Distracted by their quarrel, Blake’s eyes peered with greed. Even if he was at death’s door, he derided it was Athena who saved him.
Blake stroked his chin, eyes glinting with greed.
Athena’s remedies were worth their weight in gold, almost impossible to come by.
"Where do you think you’re going?”
Athena stepped directly into his path.
Blake barked, “Get out of my way! Since when do I have to report to you where I’m going?”
Without a backward glance, he turned on his heel and strode off.
Willow not only refused to step aside, but put on a solemn face and said, "At least, don’t see Willow! Athena hates me, and she’ll hate you just the same, why court disaster?”
“That just proves how incompetent they are. You’re as pathetic as Willow. I’m not some spineless loser like her." Blake shoved Willow aside and stormed off.
“Brother, don’t you dare do anything reckless!”
Blake’s figure had disappeared into the distance did a faint, knowing smile finally appear on Willow’s lips.
Nona asked in a hushed voice, “Miss Monson, do you think Blake will go looking for Athena?"
Willow shot Nona a look of feigned surprise. “Nona, what are you talking about? How would I know who my brother might go looking for?”
Willow's lips dripped with darkness. Nona immediately put on a fawning expression and said obsequiously, “You’re absolutely right, Miss Monson. How silly of me, I must have been delusional. I merely came out to buy some rouge today and didn’t meet anyone at all.”