Chapter 170
Willow’s eyes widened in panic. Michael had never looked at her like this before. His gaze was icy and unfamiliar, as if she were a criminal. He used to stand by her unconditionally, always defending her. “Michael…” Willow’s voice trembled, thick with panic and desperation. Now she finally understood that Michael no longer defended her as before. It felt as if a piece of her heart had been torn out, the pain making Willow wince. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall but lingering there. In the past, seeing Willow like this would have left Michael at a loss. But now, he simply gazed at her with cold detachment; even as tears welled in her eyes, he remained completely unmoved.
Nicolas quickly stepped in front of Willow, shielding her protectively. “Michael, can’t we discuss this properly? You haven’t even heard her side of the story yet, and you’re already interrogating her so harshly. Are you trying to drive Willow to her death?” From behind, Willow’s choked sobs could be heard. “Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know once we ask,” Michael said, his expression unchanged. Eloise gasped in shock, her face filled with disbelief. ‘Michael, is this really your stance? Have you already made up your mind that Willow is to blame?’ Eloise wondered. Osbert rubbed his temples in frustration as he watched their endless bickering. ‘At this rate, will the case ever get solved?’ he thought, exasperated. Besides, Xander had ordered a thorough investigation. They must get to the bottom of this.
Osbert hesitated for a moment, then said carefully, “Well, if there’s nothing else, I shall now escort Lady Willow to the police station.” As he spoke, he cast a cautious glance at everyone in the room. Nicolas frowned, his face darkening with anger. “Do you take the Monson family for some common place where you can just arrest people at will?” Eloise immediately stepped in front of Willow, shielding her like a mother hen protecting her chick. “No! Willow absolutely cannot go to the police station!” Willow sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. Henry’s face darkened with rage as he thundered, “Mr. Larson, you may take your leave now!” As the Monsons closed ranks around Willow, Osbert’s patience began to wear thin. Osbert straightened his posture, his smile cooling. “My lords and ladies, I fully understand your concern for Lady Willow. However, as this matter involves both Lady Athena and Prince Xander, I find myself in a most difficult position.” “What? Prince Xander?” Nicolas blurted out, his eyes wide with shock. He glanced at Henry in confusion, only to find him just as stunned. The two exchanged a wary look, both breaking out in a cold sweat. They thought, ‘Time and again, Xander has come to Athena’s aid. How utterly bizarre is that?’ Michael’s brow furrowed tightly, a sudden wave of alarm surging through him. “Why would Prince Xander involve himself in this?” The barrage of questions gave Osbert a splitting headache. He shook his head with an awkward smile. “I’m afraid that’s beyond my knowledge,” he replied. With a respectful bow, he addressed Henry. “Your Grace, I beg you to grant this favor and allow me to take Lady Willow back for questioning. Rest assured, if she is not involved in this case, she will return unharmed.” With matters having reached this point, any further obstruction from Henry would amount to defying Xander. Though deeply reluctant, Henry had no choice but to relent. He nodded reluctantly, then emphatically warned Osbert again and again, “Lady Willow is delicate. If she loses even a single hair, I will hold you personally accountable.” Osbert bowed and replied obsequiously, “I wouldn’t dream of it, Your Grace. It’s merely routine questioning.” Relieved that Henry had finally relented, Osbert breathed a sigh of relief. With a gentle smile, he addressed Willow, “Lady Willow, would you kindly accompany me for some questioning?” Willow looked at Nicolas in terror, only to see his brows tightly knit with pained concern as he reassured her, “Willow, don’t be afraid. It’s just routine questioning, you’ll be fine.”
“Nicolás, I’m the daughter of the Monson family! If this gets out, how could I ever show my face again?” Willow sobbed, her voice trembling with humiliation. She thought bitterly, ‘I’d rather die than be locked up with those lowlifes!’ “If you force me to go… I… I can only prove my innocence with my death!” Willow cried, her voice trembling with desperation. With these desperate words, she made as if to dash herself against the pillar. Eloise lunged to grab Willow, her face draining of color in terror. Eloise turned pleading eyes to Henry. “Your Grace, you can’t abandon Willow! How could you bear to see her suffer in the police station prison?” Henry heaved a long sigh. “But with Prince Xander involved now, how do you think the Monson family can afford to go up against him?” “But…” Tears streamed down Eloise’s face, her heart aching, while Willow broke down in sobs. Osbert’s brows knitted in frustration. He waved his hand impatiently and barked, “Take her away!” He thought irritably, ‘Now that Henry has made his position clear, if I let them drag this out any longer, we’ll be stuck here till nightfall!’ Two officials stepped forward and said to Willow, “Lady Willow, if you would, please come with us.” Willow stared at the chains in their hands, her knees trembling with fear. She thought anxiously, ‘If I resist any further, they won’t be so polite. They’ll just tie me up and drag me to the police station. That would be even more humiliating.’ Willow walked out with lingering backward glances. Eloise tried to chase after her, but Nicolas held her back. “Mother, it’s just routine questioning. They won’t harm Willow.”
Just then, Osbert added, “Take Lady Willow’s maid into custody as well.” Nona never expected the trouble would land on her so quickly. Nona gasped in alarm and tried to resist, but the official wasn’t having any of it. He slapped her hard across the face and snapped, “Behave!” Nona cowered like a frightened quail, submitting meekly as the shackles were clamped around her wrists and she was dragged away. With the matter settled, Osbert bowed respectfully to Henry with a polite smile. “Your Grace need not see me out.” Henry’s face darkened with rage, but he remained silent. Osbert offered an awkward smile, turned, and quickly strode off. If Osbert had to choose between Xander and the Monson family, he would undoubtedly side with Xander. After all, no one dared to cross Xander. The officials escorted Willow and Nona out of the Monson family. Outside the gates, a crowd instantly gathered, gawking at Willow and Nona as they were led away in shackles. People craned their necks, murmuring in surprise, “What happened? What did Miss Monson do to get herself arrested?” A person said, “Who knows? But it must be something serious if they’re dragging her off to the police station like this.” Willow was so furious at the crowd’s gossip that she could barely contain herself. ‘These lowly peasants, what nonsense are they spouting?’ she fumed inwardly. Though Willow was so furious inside she could practically scream, on the outside, she still managed to put on a pitiful, aggrieved expression. Nona truly proved herself a loyal servant. Even in shackles, she defiantly cried out for Willow. “My lady is wronged! So what if she’s the Viscountess? That doesn’t give her the right to slander anyone!” Osbert frowned and shot a sharp look at his subordinates. “Gag her. Now!” He sneered inwardly, ‘How dare this lowly wretch speak ill of the Viscountess!’ The officials immediately stuffed a rag into Nona’s mouth, silencing her completely. One of them snarled, “Shut your trap! You’ll pay for this soon enough.” Nona’s face went deathly pale. In that instant, she understood the official’s intent. Osbert, wary of Willow’s status, dared not lay a finger on Willow, but had no qualms about making an example of Nona. He barked, “Bind this wretched maid to the flogging rack. Fifty lashes to start with!”