Chapter 198

Athena’s words cut through Eloise’s hypocrisy like a sharp blade.

Ever since Kurtis’s downfall, Eloise insisted on being addressed as a member of the Monson family. Within the Monson family, she forbade anyone from mentioning her maiden name; not even the servants were allowed to utter it.

Athena just couldn’t comprehend it. Even though her grandfather had been convicted, the king had made it clear that Eloise wouldn’t be implicated.

Athena thought, ‘Why does Eloise want to cut off all ties with them? My heart aches for Grandfather. When Eloise married into the Monson family, Grandfather prepared the most generous wedding gift for her. Although I never witnessed the legendary scene myself, I’d heard all the stories in the estate and even seen the treasures in Eloise’s treasury. Grandfather truly cherished her. Yet Eloise never spared a thought for him; her indifference is chilling to the bone.’

Eloise was utterly humiliated. Her well-maintained complexion was now clouded with panic. Her chest heaved as she gritted her teeth and snapped, “You know nothing! It’s not your place to lecture me,” she declared.

In her fury, she didn’t even refer to herself as Athena’s mother. Instead, she resorted to her status to suppress Athena.

But Athena couldn’t care less. She’d kept these words bottled up for so long; finally voicing them brought her real relief.

Athena stepped forward, casting a contemptuous look at Eloise. She said, “You may choose to be ungrateful, but I won’t. Though I didn’t see much of Grandfather, I know he was a man of integrity. He would wear the same clothes for five years, and there wasn’t a single decent piece of furniture in the house. How could such a person possibly be involved in embezzlement? I swear I’ll get to the bottom of this and clear Grandfather’s name.”

Eloise stumbled back a step under Athena’s unyielding gaze, her face paling as she stammered incoherently, “You… you’re courting death!”

“Why so frightened, Lady Eloise?” Athena said coldly, “I’ve already cut all ties with the Monson family. Even if I’m courting death, it won’t drag you down with me.”

Lady Eloise stood frozen, her eyes wide with terror. “That case was buried years ago; even the Emperor forbids even mentioning it! Do you have a death wish?”

“What’s the matter? Scared now?” Athena caught the panic in Eloise’s eyes. She’d always been so poised and dignified; Athena had never seen her lose her composure like this before. But just the mention of investigating Kurtis’s case left Eloise utterly terrified.

‘What is she so afraid of?’ Athena wondered.

Athena took another step forward, her gaze sharp. “You know something, don’t you? Tell me.”

Eloise recoiled as if struck by lightning, letting out a panicked scream as she stumbled back two steps, shaking her head frantically, “I don’t know! I don’t know anything!” she cried, her voice trembling with fear.

Willow rushed to embrace her mother, soothing her, “Mother, are you alright?”

She shot Athena a sharp look and raised her voice, “Stop asking! You’ll terrify Mother!”

“Oh, really?” Athena sneered. “After weathering so many storms, just a few words are enough to frighten you like this, Lady Eloise? I didn’t realize you were so fragile.”

Though Eloise was visibly shaken, what stood out even more was the rage in her eyes. Athena saw her expression with perfect clarity. She was just putting on an act, pretending to be hysterical to avoid facing the truth.

With Willow’s support, Eloise scrambled into the carriage. They soon fled in disarray.

Athena stood silently at the doorway, watching their retreating figures vanish from sight. Her lips curved into a smile laced with frost.

‘To disregard one’s own father, to even forget his birthday, who’s the real monster here?’ she thought.

“Athena,” Michael’s deep voice came from behind.

Athena turned to look at him and saw his brows knitted tightly together.

Fixing her with a grave look, he said, “Kurtis’s case isn’t as simple as you think. There are too many powerful players involved. Don’t throw yourself against impossible odds.”

“Are you implying my Grandfather was framed?” Athena arched an eyebrow.

Michael felt a lump in his throat and sighed helplessly. “I never said that. I’m just trying to warn you; don’t play with fire.”

Michael took two steps forward, reaching out to touch Athena’s cheek.

Disgust flashed across Athena’s eyes as she stepped back. She recoiled from Michael’s touch, her whole posture radiating rejection.

Michael’s hand hung frozen in midair. He gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. “Do you see me as a monster now? Am I really that repulsive to you?” he asked Athena.

As he spoke, he strode forward, closing the distance between them. He reached out and removed a dead twig from Athena’s hair.

“When did things between us turn out like this?” Michael’s voice trembled slightly with emotion, his gaze full of longing as he looked at her.

Michael thought bitterly, ‘How ironic. Athena used to cling to me, and I’d brushed her off without a second thought.’

Now, it was his turn. Only now did he realize how cruel he’d been back then. She must have felt the same heart-wrenching pain he was feeling now.

Yet, just like him, she just couldn’t bring herself to let go.

Athena flashed a mirthless smile at him. “Lord Osborne, whatever bond we once had, it’s long gone.”

All the passion between them had been eroded by repeated hurts and endless tests. Now, the best thing was for them to stay out of each other’s way.

She thought, ‘Too bad, Lord Osborne still doesn’t get it.’

Athena turned and walked back into the house without another word. Marquita and Trina slammed the heavy gate shut behind her. With a resounding metallic clank, they locked it from the inside.

Michael stood at the doorway, looking as forlorn as a stray orphan left out in the cold. After a long while, he slowly bent down and, with a heavy heart, set the two jars of wine on the steps.

Fireworks burst overhead, lighting up the night sky as bright as day. Children’s laughter echoed all around, while savory aromas drifted from nearby homes. He used to be surrounded by laughter and joy, but now he stood utterly alone.

Snow suddenly cascaded from the branches, causing Michael to freeze in his tracks. A sudden chill brushed the back of his neck, sending a sharp ache straight to his heart.

Unbidden, memories from the past began to play before his eyes.

“Michael, be careful!” Athena used to call out, always holding an umbrella over his head to shield him from the falling snow.

Back then, he would always brush Athena off impatiently. “Athena, don’t you have anything better to do than follow me around all day?”

Athena’s lips would quiver with hurt, but the very next moment she’d stubbornly chase after him, insisting, “Of course I do. My job is to protect you!”

“Since when do I need your protection?” Michael’s face would darken as he left Athena standing there alone in the snow.

Now, with no one to hold an umbrella for him, Michael truly felt how bitterly cold the falling snow was. The chill seeped into his very bones, aching through every joint. Though he was bundled in thick layers, the icy air still pierced through relentlessly.

His teeth chattered uncontrollably from the biting cold. Hunched into himself, he rubbed his hands together desperately for warmth. But it was futile; the cold was so intense that he staggered with each step.

“Lord Osborne!” A guard nearby noticed something was wrong and rushed over to steady him.

Michael looked exhausted, as if he’d been walking for hours. His legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed. Only then did the guard realize his face was abnormally flushed. When he touched Michael’s forehead, it was burning hot.

“Quick, back to the Osborne estate! Lord Osborne has a high fever!” the guard shouted.