Henry found himself caught in the crossfire, and at this critical moment, he could no longer afford to consider any bond that remained between him and Athena.
Henry said to Fermin, “Your Highness, don’t listen to her wild accusations. I once hoped she would turn over a new leaf, but now it’s clear she’s beyond redemption. I leave everything entirely to Your Highness’s discretion.”
Fermin’s gaze locked onto Athena, his eyes alight with sudden interest.
He said, “Fascinating, truly fascinating. Henry, your daughter is… rather intriguing.”
Henry stared at Fermin in astonishment, unable to decipher his true intentions.
Could it be that Fermin has taken a fancy to Athena? Henry wondered anxiously.
Just as he was lost in thought, he heard Fermin declare, “I will give you one chance. But let me make one thing clear, if you fail to prove your innocence, then…”
Before Fermin could finish, Athena cut in firmly, “I’ll accept whatever punishment Your Highness deems fit.”
“Excellent.” Fermin’s face showed approval. “Escort Athena to Ivory Grove.”
Athena departed with the matron, while Fermin remained gazing at her retreating figure with contemplative intensity.
Henry watched Fermin’s expression carefully. Fermin murmured thoughtfully, “In all of Pidence City, no noble lady possesses Athena’s courage. My judgment of her was not mistaken.”
Henry asked tentatively, “Then, Your Highness, what are your intentions?”
Fermin murmured, “Such strong-willed individuals may be hard to tame, but once conquered, they pledge unwavering loyalty. I have need for such assets.”
Henry drew a sharp breath, anxiety flickering in his eyes. “But what if she remains unyielding?”
Fermin cast a cold glance at Henry, his voice dripping with menace. “What use is there in keeping someone alive who cannot serve me? I may value talent, but if too much time is wasted on a single matter, it simply isn’t worth it.”
Fermin thought coldly, If I can’t have it, I’ll destroy it.
Henry broke out in a cold sweat. He knew Fermin’s true nature all too well.
People said that wolves were untamable, but Fermin defied all expectations and tamed them.
Rumors said Fermin had captured a pack of wolves and brought them back to his estate. He starved them and forced them to fight each other.
When only three of the strongest wolves remained, Fermin had one skinned alive right before the other two.
The two wolves were utterly terrified.
Fermin then ordered an experienced beastmaster to train the two remaining wolves. Only the obedient would be spared.
Thus, the wild wolves, having learned the price of defiance through his ruthless methods, dared not rebel again and submitted meekly.
Henry shuddered at the thought. He dared not imagine what unspeakable fate might await Athena if she fell into Fermin’s hands.
The others followed to Ivory Grove, eager to see how Athena would bring Willow back to consciousness.
They were all eager to witness how Athena would turn the tables when the odds were stacked against her.
“Your Highness, Duke, if you please,” Athena said, stepping forward to block their path just as Fermin and Henry moved to follow her.
Displeasure flickered across both men’s faces. Henry rebuked sharply, “Such insolence! How dare you block His Highness’s path?”
Athena put on an innocent face and replied, “Well, since I need to perform acupuncture on Lady Willow, she’ll have to remove her clothes. If gentlemen don’t mind being present for that, I certainly have no objections.”
Fermin and Henry stood dumbfounded, exchanging awkward glances before reluctantly turning back to the anteroom.
Nona volunteered eagerly, “I will attend to Lady Willow.”
Henry nodded approvingly.
Athena said, “I can’t have any distractions during acupuncture, not even a fly, let alone a person. If anything throws off my concentration and I make a wrong move with the needles and harm Lady Willow, don’t blame me.”
Nona’s face flushed crimson with anger. She wasn’t fooled for a second. She knew Athena’s words were nothing but a thinly veiled insult.
Henry let out a weary sigh and motioned for Nona to withdraw.
Nona snorted with resentment and stepped aside.
Athena closed the door behind her, a faint smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
Athena strode to Willow’s bedside and, without hesitation, produced silver needles from her pouch.
Without even glancing at the proper acupuncture points, Athena recklessly jabbed the needles into Willow’s body.
The so-called acupuncture treatment was pure fabrication. Willow remained unconscious simply because of her frail constitution.
In truth, she was fully aware. She simply couldn’t wake up.
To put it bluntly, it was half pretense, half genuine injury.
Willow’s face twisted in agony as Athena haphazardly jabbed needles into her.
Moments later, Willow’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
Athena leaned over Willow, a cold, mocking smile on her lips. “Finally decided to wake up, have we?”
“You…” Willow’s eyes widened in terror as she stared at Athena. She tried to scramble away, but her limbs refused to obey.
The slightest movement sent sharp, searing pain radiating through her chest.
Willow pleaded, her voice trembling, “No… please, stay away…”
She trembled violently, like a desperate, cornered rabbit.
Her wide eyes brimmed with tears, spilling endlessly down her cheeks.
She looked at Athena as if she were facing a monster.
Athena settled herself onto the chair with unhurried grace, watching Willow with the taunting amusement of a cat toying with a mouse.
Athena watched with cold amusement as Willow struggled for breath before her, trembling in abject terror like a cornered mouse.
But Athena felt not the slightest trace of satisfaction, only a deep, burning hatred.
Athena’s voice cut like ice. “Did it ever cross your mind, when you murdered Thalia and Mary, that you’d end up like this yourself?”
Willow’s eyes flew wide with shock. She had no idea why Athena was suddenly in her room.
She’s come to kill me! Willow thought in terror.
“Help! Someone! Please, save me…” Willow screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice growing hoarse from calling out again and again, yet no one came to her rescue.
Athena gave a cold laugh. “Save your breath, they’re not getting in. If I really wanted you dead, do you think I’d have let you open your eyes?”
Willow trembled violently, curling up into a ball and sobbing uncontrollably. “Athena, please believe me! I had nothing to do with Thalia and Macy’s deaths. It really wasn’t me!”
“Still clinging to your lies, Willow? You’re truly beyond redemption.” Athena’s gaze was full of mocking pity. “The underworld judges will decide when you reach hell. And liars get their tongues cut out.”
Willow shrank into the corner, gasping for breath between sobs. “Please… please don’t kill me,” she pleaded, her voice shaking with terror.
“Your hands are drenched in blood, you even dared to kill your own father. What wouldn’t you dare do?” Athena spat, her voice thick with contempt.
Athena leaned in abruptly, murmuring coldly, “No audience here. Why play the fragile victim for me?”
At these words, Willow’s tears dried instantly.
Willow fixed her red-rimmed eyes on Athena, feigning innocence as she asked tentatively, “I truly don’t understand what you mean, sister.”
Athena said, “I saw everything at the back hills of Guardian Church. It was all you. You orchestrated Daniel’s visit to the church, then made sure Matthew saw him attack Eloise. In a fit of rage, Matthew killed him and dumped the body in the back hills.”
With each word Athena spoke, Willow’s eyes grew wider and wider.
Willow shook her head frantically, her voice trembling. “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t! You can’t blame me for this, he was just too greedy!"
“Tell me,” Athena demanded abruptly, “why did you murder Thalia and Macy?”
Athena couldn’t fathom why. She thought, Even if Macy and Thalia are Willow’s trusted aides, if Willow didn’t like them anymore, she could’ve just sold them off. Why go to such lengths?
But why did she torture and murder them both, even cutting out Macy’s tongue?
What secrets was Willow so afraid Thalia and Macy would expose?
The question had tormented Athena for too long. She leaned in, her voice razor-sharp. “Tell me. Why?”