Chapter 167

Willow gave Nona a grateful smile, plucked the hairpin from her bun, and pressed it into Nona’s hand.

“Nona, I don’t know what I’d do without you by my side. Truly, I wouldn’t know how to go on,” Willow said softly.

The exquisitely crafted hairpin was gilded and adorned with pearls, making it exceptionally precious.

Nona’s eyes gleamed with greed. “Miss Monson, this is too much,” she protested.

But even as she spoke, her fingers clung to the hairpin in a death grip, clearly unwilling to let go. Willow took in Nona's greedy expression, a flicker of contempt flashing in her eyes.

Willow said to Nona, “I’ve never treated you as a servant, but as my own sister. I can trust you, can’t I, Nona?”

Nona was deeply moved by Willow’s sincere words and nodded emphatically. “I am utterly loyal to you, Miss Monson, and would never waver,” she said.

But in her heart, she thought, “As long as Miss Monson can marry into the Osborne family, my days will be much easier. And if I could become Lord Osborne’s concubine one day, I could even help Willow in return.”

Willow was certain she would become a concubine, but Willow didn’t necessarily think so.

On the surface, Willow and Nona appeared to be the picture of a devoted employer and her maid, but beneath it all, each was hiding her own agenda.

Athena returned to her courtyard and instructed Trina to pack their belongings.

We’ll be leaving for the hot springs villa in a few days, she thought. Once everything is packed, we can set off at once.

Trina gathered her frequently worn clothes and placed them neatly into the trunk. She turned to Athena, only to see her seated by the window, pen in hand, quietly penning a letter.

Every few days, Ferris would send a letter to Athena with a small gift, sometimes a beautifully shaped leaf, other times a smooth pebble from the river. Though of little monetary value, they always touched Athena’s heart.

Athena kept them in a keepsake box. Each chop that Ferris left Athena to track Ferris's current whereabouts, he must have tracked Hovala by now.

“Wealth,” Athena thought.

Then Athena took out the dried fruit she had prepared in advance and carefully packed it.

When Trina saw Athena come out carrying something, she grinned and asked, “Miss Monson, what have you prepared for Mr. McGee today?”

“Just a little something to eat. Go on, take it to him quickly,” Athena replied, her smile dazzling and bright.

Trina couldn’t help but sigh as she watched Athena’s radiant smile. “Miss Monson, it’s been ages since you smiled like this.”

The night grew increasingly chilly, so Marquita hurriedly instructed the maids to bring in two more charcoal braziers.

“Miss Monson should live just like this, free and happy, doing whatever brings her joy. Now that she’s away from all those toxic people and messy situations, I can see her getting lovelier every day,” Marquita murmured to herself.

Having known Athena since she was a child, Marquita felt truly happy to see her gradually letting go of her emotional burdens.

Margaret was also keeping a close eye on Athena. Every few days, Marquita would send her updates.

Just then, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. At first, there were only a few scattered flakes, but soon they grew larger and more numerous.

Marquita quickly called out to Athena, “Miss Monson, come inside quickly, it’s getting cold!”

“Coming,” Athena replied cheerfully.

She stepped into the house, briskly rubbing her chilled hands together.

Trina hurriedly pressed the hand warmer into Athena’s hands. “Miss Monson, warm up quickly!”

Athena sat down with a hand warmer in her arms and instructed Trina, “This trip will take a good few weeks at least. Make sure you’ve packed everything we might need.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Monson, I’ve already packed everything,” Trina replied with a smile.

Athena nodded, gazing at the heavy snowfall outside. She said to Trina, “Tell them to add two more charcoal braziers for the night watch tonight.”

“Already taken care of, Miss Monson,” Trina replied as she made the bed. “Only you are so kind-hearted. Other families give their servants just one brazier a night, but you provide three. Everyone in the courtyard appreciates your generosity.”

Athena chuckled, “Life’s hard enough as it is. If we start skimping on their benefits too, how’s anyone supposed to get by?”

Only she knew how she had endured those winters in the barracks. She’d curl up in a pile of firewood with no warm clothes and no fire. Yet even then, she often woke up shivering from the cold. Those days were no different from hell.

Having endured the same hardships herself, Athena truly understood their suffering.

Outside, a blizzard raged. Inside, warmth enveloped the room. Before long the room fell into complete silence, with only the soft sound of breathing remaining.

Some time later, a hushed voice came from outside. Athena's eyes snapped open.

A shadow flickered past the window.

When Ferris left, he secretly left shadow guards behind to protect Athena. These guards remained unseen in ordinary times, only revealing themselves in moments of true crisis.

The room was dimly lit, and Athena could make out nothing more than the shadowy outline of the hidden guard.

“What is it?” Athena asked calmly.

“A few thugs are sneaking toward your courtyard, Miss…” The shadow guard faltered, his voice trailing off.

Athena frowned slightly, sensing something was off. “Just a few thugs? Is it really necessary to report this to me in person?”

“Miss, they were brought here by Blake,” the shadow guard added hesitantly.

Athena instantly realized what was going on. Blake was her foster brother.

Fearing Athena might show mercy because of their past ties, the shadow guard came for her orders.

Athena chuckled lightly. “Don’t hesitate. Tie them up and deliver them to the police station.”

“Yes, Miss Monson,” the shadow guard acknowledged, turning to withdraw.

Athena paused, sensing something amiss. “Wait,” she said sharply.

“What further instructions, Miss Monson?” the shadow guard asked respectfully.

“Don’t act yet. Keep watching covertly, I want to see if he’s here for money or for my life,” Athena instructed.

Blake wouldn’t show up here for no reason. Someone must be whispering poison in his ear, stirring up trouble behind the scenes. If I follow this trail, maybe I can reel in the real mastermind.

Though surprised, the shadow guard complied immediately.

It wasn’t long before the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard. The footsteps hushed as they reached the gate, and a long blade slid silently through the crack in the door.

By the pale light reflecting off the snow, a shadowy figure deftly released the latch until it clicked open.

Trina watched from inside, her heart racing and face turning pale. “Miss Monson, they’re armed! This is no ordinary robbery!” she whispered, voice trembling.

Athena reassured her, “Stay calm. We’ll be fine.”

Those shadow guards weren’t just for show.

Seeing Athena’s composure, Trina gradually steadied herself.

The courtyard gate burst open with a kick, and four masked men swaggered in.

To their surprise, the yard stood completely deserted, not even a night watchman in sight. The intruders froze for a moment, then wisely let their guard down.

One of the men, burly and gruff-voiced, slapped the scrawny kid on the shoulder and barked. “You sure you got the right place, kid? This tiny yard…”

Blake shot back, “Relax, Jeremy. A daughter from a rich family is recuperating here. Word is, she brought several chests of silver. We get in, grab the goods, and get out quick.”

Jeremy Hartley’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Is she pretty or what?” he asked eagerly.

Blake forced a laugh. “Ugly as hell, face full of pimples, fat and plain. Why else would she be dumped here?”

Jeremy grunted, finding the logic sound.

He nodded dejectedly and grumbled, “Alright, alright, let’s just find the damn money.”

At his order, his three men fanned out to search.