Chapter 173
Nicolas thought, ‘This really isn’t the place to get into it with Loretta, especially outside the police station.’
Nicolas’s brow furrowed deeply as he glared at Athena, who was clearly enjoying his predicament. His irritation grew by the minute. He felt it all started because of Athena.
Nicolas shot Athena a fierce glare, but she met his gaze defiantly. “Why are you staring at me, Nicolas? I’m not the one who caused this mess; the real culprit is right there in your arms.”
Athena drew in a sharp breath, feigning surprise as she teased, “You and Willow are being so open about your closeness. Aren’t you worried people will gossip?”
Though no one dared to gather around outside the police station, Michael was still present. As Willow’s fiancé, it was reasonable for Michael to have doubts seeing her so intimately embraced by another man.
Nicolas finally pushed Willow away but still glared at Athena with undisguised hostility.
Nicolas turned to Michael and demanded sharply, “Who do you believe, Athena or Willow?” He couldn’t care less about what others thought, but Michael’s stance was what truly mattered.
Athena turned to Michael, waiting anxiously for his response. Michael’s brows were deeply furrowed, his gaze locked solely on Athena, as if, in that moment, she was the only person left in his world.
Athena felt no joy at all under Michael’s intense gaze. She couldn’t help but feel an eerie chill down her spine. Ever since Michael got engaged to Willow, he’d been acting like a lovesick fool, still deluding himself that he could ever win Athena back. Athena would stay as far away from Michael as humanly possible.
“Whatever Athena believes, I believe,” Michael declared, showing not the slightest regard for Willow’s feelings.
Those words struck Willow like a knife to the heart. Already heartbroken, Willow now sobbed uncontrollably, her whole body shaking with ragged, gasping cries. Loretta kept clutching at Willow’s clothes, wailing hysterically, “Give me back my son! Give me back my son!”
The noisy commotion only made Nicolas’s scowl deepen. To calm Loretta down, Nicolas snapped at his attendant, “Fools! Why are you still standing there? Escort Mrs. Holmes back to the manor at once!”
“Nicolas, what are you planning to do?” Willow asked in astonishment.
Nicolas lowered his voice and said to Willow, “Rather than let Mrs. Holmes spread rumors outside, we should keep her where we can watch her closely.”
“You’re always so thoughtful, Nicolas. I’ll do as you say.”
As the attendants led Loretta away, Willow kept turning back to steal glances at Michael, unable to hide the longing in her eyes. Willow realized with growing dismay that Michael hadn’t so much as glanced her way the entire time.
‘He only cares about Athena,’ Willow thought bitterly.
Willow’s eyes burned with venomous hatred, so intense she didn’t even notice it herself, as she openly glared at Athena.
“Miss, it’s time to go,” Nona gently reminded her. Only then did Willow leave, her head hung low in disappointment.
With Willow gone, Athena didn’t stay either. But just as Athena was about to leave, Michael followed right on her heels.
Athena frowned and turned to glare at him. “Lord Osborne, why aren’t you chasing after your fiancée? What do you want with me?”
“Let me walk you home,” Michael said, his eyes blazing with an almost uncontrollable obsession.
Athena thought, ‘If there were no one else around, he’d probably just force me into his arms.’ Athena’s alarm bells went off as she flatly refused, “No need. I’m heading to the Mcgee family. Surely you’re not planning to follow me there, Lord Osborne?”
Michael remained silent, gazing at her with those melancholic, yet broken eyes that seemed to hold a world of unspoken longing.
Athena couldn’t be bothered with his lovestruck gaze. She turned on her heel and boarded the carriage without another word.
The carriage raced toward the Mcgee family estate. The muffled sound of the carriage moving pounded relentlessly in Athena’s chest, fraying her nerves with every step.
‘No matter what I do, I just can’t shake him off. It’s driving me insane!’ Athena fumed inwardly.
Fortunately, after they arrived at the Mcgee family estate, Michael stopped approaching her.
Athena strode into the Mcgee family estate without so much as a backward glance. From a distance, Michael stood rooted to the spot, gazing longingly at Athena like a lovesick statue. Michael didn’t look away until Athena’s figure was completely swallowed by the towering walls of the Mcgee family estate, until not even a trace of her could be seen. Only then did he finally look away.
A sharp pain pierced his chest. It was the sound of his heart breaking.
He thought, ‘Does Athena detest me so much that she won’t even spare me a glance? No matter. I have plenty of time and patience.’ Now that Fermin had finally given his consent, Michael wasn’t about to let this golden opportunity slip through his fingers. He would have Athena, no matter what.
The shadow guard asked in confusion, “My lord, you’ve been so protective of Miss Monson. Why not let her know someone’s been following her?”
Michael forced a bitter, self-mocking smile and shook his head. “There’s no need,” he replied quietly.
Michael thought to himself, ‘I don’t want Athena to think this is just some sympathy ploy. As long as my heart stays true, Athena will eventually come back to me.’
With one last lingering look in Athena’s direction, Michael turned his horse and rode away.
Gale was delighted to see Athena and warmly motioned for her to sit. “My dear, the medicine you gave me has worked wonders. My cough has improved so much in just these few days,” she said with a smile. Compared to her previous sickly pallor, Gale now had a rosy glow in her cheeks and seemed much more energetic.
Athena gave her a gentle smile. “Your Grace, you’ve improved significantly, but don’t get complacent. You still need to keep taking your medicine.”
“Got it, got it…” Gale hastily cut Athena off, dreading another lecture. Gale looked at Athena with puppy-dog eyes and pouted, “Your medicine works wonders, I’ll give you that, but it’s just so bitter!”
Athena couldn’t help but laugh. She thought, ‘Who would have thought Gale would have such a sweet tooth?’ Perhaps out of affection for Ferris, Athena found herself being especially patient with Gale. She coaxed gently, “Tell you what, next time I prepare your medicine, I’ll make some candied fruits for you.”
Gale immediately beamed like a delighted child. “That would be perfect!”
“Looks like we’ve got everything packed up. Why don’t we set off today?” Athena suggested with a smile.
Gale naturally had no objections. If not for Athena having unfinished business, she would have taken her to the hot springs resort long ago. Everything had already been packed, so in less than half an hour, Athena and Gale were comfortably seated in their carriage, ready to set off.
Evening was falling when they finally reached Spring Villa. The entire villa was nestled against the mountainside, complete with all the classic structures, pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls. Steam rose and mist swirled through the mountains, wrapping the scene in celestial veils, as if they had stepped into an ethereal paradise. Thanks to the natural hot springs, the vegetation here was noticeably lusher and greener than elsewhere. Even flowers were blooming all around the villa, adding a splash of color to the lush scenery.
Athena helped Gale alight from the carriage, as a warm, flower-scented breeze greeted them. Gale took a deep breath, enchanted. “What a marvelous place,” she praised. The warm air filled Gale’s lungs, instantly easing the tightness in her chest.
Athena’s dark mood lifted as she moved in with Gale. Even before they set out, someone had already been sent ahead to make arrangements. A private courtyard residence had been arranged for Gale and Athena, with an arched gate dividing their living quarters. There were natural hot springs in the backyard, ready for a soak anytime.
“The finest courtyard residence has already been reserved by another party,” the steward reported carefully to Gale. “Though this one is slightly more modest in scale, it still offers ample space for your comfort.”
Gale said with a hint of displeasure, “Who on earth could have rented such a grand courtyard? Is there really anyone whose wealth can rival that of the Mcgee family?”
Gale frowned in displeasure at having to settle for the second-best courtyard residence.