Chapter 215

Natasha’s voice vibrated with excitement as she texted Athena in the gently humid Athena air, “What are you standing there like a fool for? Go greet Prince Xander already! He’s your fiancé, after all!”

Prince Xander never attends such trivial gatherings.

“His sudden appearance could only mean one thing: he was here specifically for Athena,” Natasha thought as she watched Athena in exasperation.

Noticing her inaction, Natasha pondered, “There’s such a golden opportunity right in front of her and she’s not grabbing it. If she waits any longer, the chance will be gone!”

At this moment, she was itching to shove Athena straight into Xander’s arms, just to put Willow in her place.

However, Athena only spared Xander a fleeting glance before quickly averting her eyes.

“My heart is racing,” Athena thought, but she managed to reply calmly, “Why wouldn’t Prince Xander be here? Maybe he enjoys polo too?”

Natasha was at a loss for words, and she fumed inwardly, ‘Prince Xander is cold and aloof, and he never shows up in crowded places like this.’

Yet Athena just calmly said, “He’s only here to watch polo.”

“Why can’t she use that brain of hers and realize Prince Xander came here for her?”

Athena glanced again in Xander’s direction, only to find he was already gone.

“He must dislike showing his face in crowded places and has probably already left,” she thought.

Natasha was about to say more when Athena tugged at her hand and said, “They’re forming teams now. Let’s go join one.”

Polo is played between two teams of eight players each.

By the time Athena and Natasha arrived on the field, Willow had already assembled her team.

She had come prepared, as all her teammates were skilled polo players.

The remaining players on the field looked utterly dejected. After all, facing Willow’s team meant certain defeat.

Just Matthew alone was enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.

He was renowned for his lightning speed and ruthless, unpredictable maneuvers.

Anyone who dared to go head to head with him was lucky to escape with just a minor injury. More often than not, they’d be unseated from their horses.

It was this aggressive prowess that had earned him quite the reputation in polo circles.

Athena scanned the field and she noticed four women and two men.

With herself and Natasha, that made a full team of eight players.

Athena walked up to them and asked, “Wanna team up?”

The leading woman’s eyes widened in shock when she realized it was Athena. She stammered hesitantly, “Athena, you… You’d team up with us?”

To them, having someone as skilled as Athena join their team felt like a waste of her talent.

“Why not? I’m just here to have some fun!” Athena replied with a smile.

Everyone beamed and nodded eagerly in agreement. “That’s amazing!”

Just moments before, they’d been worried about the match, but Athena’s arrival rekindled their hope.

Willow gently bit her lip as Athena appeared.

“Why does Athena always have to compete with me?” she thought bitterly.

“Willow, don’t be afraid. I’ve got your back,” Matthew said, shooting Athena a look full of hatred.

‘If it weren’t for Athena, I wouldn’t have fallen so low,’ he thought bitterly.

He had been demoted from being one of the Providence Guards to a mere soldier on guard duty, and Matthew could hardly bear such humiliation.

He had resigned last winter and had been idle at home ever since.

The Duke of Suffield, who was at his wit's end, had begun considering marriage prospects for Matthew.

When the Beckham family hosted this polo match, the Duke of Suffield saw it as a chance for Matthew to make an appearance and pave the way for his marriage.

Of course, Matthew knew nothing about any of this.

He thought the Duke of Suffield wanted him to protect Willow.

Seeing Athena, a surge of old grudges and fresh resentment overwhelmed Matthew.

Willow looked at him gratefully, murmuring, “Matthew, thank you for always looking out for me.”

Her docile and cautious demeanor tugged at Matthew’s heartstrings.

‘If it weren’t for Athena, Willow and I wouldn’t be in this mess,’ he thought.

Thumping his chest, Matthew said, “Willow, don’t worry, I won’t let Athena push you around.”

At this point, both teams were already on horseback. Matthew spurred his horse forward, flashing Athena a provocative grin.

Athena was his equal on the polo field, and this time, he was charging straight for her.

Natasha couldn’t stand Matthew’s blatant provocation. She brandished her polo mallet, pointing it squarely at him, and Matthew’s face immediately darkened.

Turning to Athena, she warned, “Watch out for Matthew. He plays dirty and ruthless. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”

Athena scoffed, “It’s not my first time playing against Matthew. Why would I be scared of him?”

The moment her words fell, the starting gunshot sounded.

Almost instantly, Athena and Matthew spurred their horses forward, leading the charge. Natasha was right on their heels, riding protectively beside Athena.

True to form, Matthew charged straight for Athena on his horse.

The wild abandon of his charge had everyone on the sidelines holding their breath for Athena’s safety.

Even though Janice didn’t know much about polo, she couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat for Athena. “Why is Matthew playing so aggressively? What if someone gets hurt?” she exclaimed anxiously.

An onlooker just shrugged as they commented, “That’s what polo’s all about; it’s supposed to be rough and competitive. If everyone just held back, what’s the point of watching?”

The person who commented was Viola Maynard, the daughter of the Deputy Justice of the Federal Bureau.

Michael’s mother was her aunt. Although her own family wasn’t particularly prominent, her connection to the Osborne family allowed her to stand among the noble ladies, and it also gave her undeniable confidence when she spoke.

She had always been at odds with Athena, and now that Willow was about to marry into the Osborne family, she naturally sided with Willow.

Upon hearing this, Janice dropped the subject.

The situation between the Monson family and the Osborne family was murky waters, and she had no desire to wade into it.

The sole purpose of hosting this polo match was to network with influential figures.

Befriending Athena, the future wife of Xander, was perfectly reasonable.

But it certainly wasn’t worth offending the Osborne and Monson families just for her.

The horses darted swiftly across the field when suddenly, cheers erupted: “Goal! A goal! Athena is incredible! She scored so quickly!”

On horseback, Athena’s forehead was damp with sweat as she gave Natasha a faint, knowing smile.

Their teamwork had just been flawless, and Matthew was so fixated on Athena that he completely missed Natasha.

He thought Athena would take the shot herself, but just as his horse caught up to her, she unexpectedly passed the ball to Natasha instead.

Without a second thought, Matthew spun his horse around to give chase, only to see Athena slowing down, showing no intentions of pursuing him.

By the time he caught up to Natasha, the ball was already back in Athena’s hands, and just like that, she scored.

Matthew finally realized he’d been outmaneuvered by the two women.

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, and snippets of conversation drifted over to him.

Some called him careless, while others scoffed that his polo skills were nothing but a sham.

Willow’s face fell as she anxiously turned to Matthew and asked, “Matthew, didn’t you say you wouldn’t let Athena score? How did she manage to get the first goal in the very first game?”

Matthew seethed with fury as he watched Natasha and Athena high-five each other, but managed to put on a calm facade. He scoffed, “It’s just one goal. That’s not a big deal. Let her bask in the moment. She’ll soon taste my wrath.”

Willow gazed at him adoringly as she cheered, “Matthew, you’re the best!”

Matthew seethed with rage as he thought bitterly, “Athena is just as devious as ever, to stoop to such underhanded tactics!”