Gale frantically pulled Athena behind her, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “Princess, the truth of this matter is still unclear. How can you so easily declare Athena guilty?”

Despite Gale’s status, the McGee family had long since lost its influence. Lizzie didn’t even deign to acknowledge her existence.

Seeing Gale protecting Athena so fiercely, Lizzie’s eyes flared with resentment, but after a moment’s thought, she forcefully suppressed that surge of anger.

Lizzie said coldly, “Mrs. McGee, only Athena and Wade were present. Now that Wade is dead, Athena cannot possibly be cleared of suspicion.”

Lizzie’s sudden civility toward Gale took everyone by surprise. Athena sensed something was off.

Before Athena could process what was happening, Lizzie coldly commanded, “Guards, take Athena to the Federal Bureau!”

Almost instantly, two imperial guards barged in and seized Athena, ready to drag her away.

“Don’t move! Stay back, all of you!” Gale threw herself between the guards and Athena, arms outstretched in a desperate barrier, her voice shaking with emotion.

Lizzie narrowed her eyes menacingly. She warned, “Mrs. McGee, think carefully. Does the McGee family truly wish to be dragged into this mess? If you care nothing for your household, have you no regard for Ferris either?”

“Ferris… my Ferris…” Gale murmured, her expression crumbling as her voice trailed off.

She averted her gaze from Athena, her heart wrung with sorrow and pity. But Ferris was her only son.

In that moment, she found herself utterly torn, caught between her love for her son and her loyalty to Athena.

Athena managed a faint smile at Gale and whispered weakly, “Thank you.”

She was grateful for Gale’s staunch defense and for speaking up on her behalf. Though their acquaintance was brief, Gale’s kindness had brought Athena a rare sense of warmth.

Gale watched helplessly as Athena was dragged away, large tears streaming down her face.

Why… why has it come to this? Athena was supposed to marry my Ferris…, Gale thought in anguish.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Athena…” Gale sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t save Athena. She had let her down.

Athena’s face broke into a serene smile, then she was roughly hauled away by the guards.

Lizzie’s face revealed smug satisfaction. She hadn’t expected to dispose of Athena so easily.

Drawing herself up regally like a victorious peacock, she strutted out of the chamber. She felt that Athena was as good as dead.

Xander shouted, “Who dares show disrespect to my wife?”

Chapter 189

Just when everyone thought it was all over, everything changed in an instant.

Suddenly, a squad of elite soldiers stormed in from outside. With blades drawn, they subdued the courtyard guards in a matter of seconds.

Dazed and disoriented, Athena was suddenly pulled into a broad, solid embrace. The crisp, refreshing scent on the man jolted her awake.

She looked up and saw the man’s strong, chiseled jaw.

Prince Xander? He actually came to save me? Athena thought in disbelief.

Xander frowned down at Athena, his brows knitted into a hard knot. His icy eyes seethed with tempestuous rage, as if he could destroy everything here in the next instant.

Slowly, his gaze swept across the crowd. Through clenched teeth, he demanded, “Who dared to harm Mrs. Cavendish like this?”

A blizzard-like pressure descended, freezing even the air itself.

Instantly, everyone’s knees buckled, dropping them to the ground. The timid ones quivered uncontrollably, not daring to draw breath.

Lizzie frowned involuntarily. Steeling herself against the overwhelming pressure, she stepped forward and performed a deep curtsy. “Prince Xander, greetings,” she said, her voice barely concealing a tremor.

“Are you the one who dared to arrest Mrs. Cavendish?” Xander demanded icily.

Lizzie gasped, her eyes darting nervously to Xander. “Prince Xander, how could you say such a thing?”

Athena is just a disowned woman, since when did she become Mrs. Cavendish? she thought.

Xander didn’t even dignify her question with a response.

Behind him, a trusted aide stepped forward and addressed Lizzie. “His Highness Xander has already requested the Emperor’s permission to marry Miss Monson. The imperial decree granting their union will be issued any day now.”

“What?” The news struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone’s minds reeling in disbelief.

Athena, who was once a cast-off, has suddenly become Mrs. Cavendish? they thought.

Lizzie’s face paled with terror as she thought, Doesn’t this mean Athena is now my aunt by marriage?

“Lizzie!” Xander’s thunderous roar cut through the air. “Answer me, my wife came to this party unharmed. Why is she now so gravely injured?” The force of his fury instantly made Lizzie’s knees go weak.

With a thud, Lizzie dropped to her knees, her eyes darting helplessly, her face pale with terror. “Please calm down, Prince Xander,” she stammered. “It was… it was all Wade’s doing! That vile man tried to assault Mrs. Cavendish, and she only killed him in self-defense!”

Xander let out a cold, disdainful snort, clearly dissatisfied with Lizzie’s answer.

“You’d better give me a satisfactory response.” With that, Xander strode out, carrying Athena in his arms.

His trusted aide swiftly stepped forward and draped a cloak over Athena, concealing her disheveled state.

Right before everyone’s eyes, Xander took Athena away. Some sighed with emotion, some watched with envy, while others had their composure completely shattered.

Chapter 188

We swore we’d share our lives together…. But I don’t regret my decision. Only blood can wash away the disgrace Ferris has suffered.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. “Let us see who dares to commit such disgraceful acts at my royal party!”

The door was violently kicked open, and a swarm of noble ladies came pouring in from outside.

Piercing screams erupted, nearly bursting Athena’s eardrums. No one could have anticipated the gruesome scene that awaited them inside the room.

Wade collapsed in a pool of blood, his throat slit open. His wide, unseeing eyes stared blankly, his face twisted in eternal resentment.

Athena leaned limply against the corner, her entire body covered in wounds and bruises. Her disheveled hair dripped with blood.

Her face was deathly pale, utterly drained of color, with hollow, emotionless eyes. Those numb, chilling eyes stared at everyone like a vengeful specter.

Athena’s hollow stare sent chills down everyone’s spine, and the crowd recoiled in terror, each person stumbling back a few steps.

“Good heavens!” Lizzie shrieked dramatically. “Athena, how could you kill Mr. McGee?”

Lizzie’s eyes gleamed with malicious delight as she looked at Athena. It was as if she hadn’t expected Athena to hand her such a perfect gift. This was more than she could have hoped for.

“Athena…” Gale pushed through the crowd with difficulty and stepped into the chamber. Gale let out a piercing scream and flung herself toward Athena.

Gale’s hands trembled as she reached out, desperate to comfort Athena but afraid of causing her more pain. Gale’s hands trembled uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face. With a panicked look, she cried out, “What happened here? Oh my god, what on earth is going on?”

Athena’s eyes were empty, but her mind was razor-sharp. At this moment, she absolutely couldn’t afford to be associated with Gale. Otherwise, Wade’s death would inevitably drag down the entire McGee family.

Athena pushed Gale away, her expression icy. “Why pretend to care, Mrs. McGee? What happens to me is none of your concern.”

Gale was no fool. She instantly grasped Athena’s intention.

She’s cutting ties with me to shield the McGee family from any trouble, Gale realized, her heart aching.

Gale felt her heart shatter. This is all my fault. I failed to protect Athena, and now she’s suffering because of me. If I were to distance myself from Athena at a time like this, could I even call myself human? she thought in anguish.

Chapter 188

She said, “Don’t be afraid, Athena, don’t be scared. I promise I’ll save you, I swear I will.”

Before Gale could finish, Lizzie abruptly cut her off, her voice sharp and accusing. “Mrs. McGee, what are you saying? Are you trying to cover up for a murderer? Everyone here saw it with their own eyes that Athena killed Wade. There’s no way she can get away with this!”