Chapter 221

Eloise gasped sharply, staring at Willow as if her daughter had gone completely mad. She wondered, "Since when is the aconite powder used this way? Even a single dose had been enough to fill me with dread."

Unbelievably, Willow was still determined to marry Michael as planned. She even intended to take the powder again on the very day of their wedding!

Eloise wasn’t the only one shocked. Nicolas, too, thought this was a terrible idea.

"No way," Nicolas cut her off sharply. "Letting you take it once today was already pushing the safety limit, Willow. How could you even consider taking it again?"

Willow wept hysterically, terrified that the hard-won happiness she’d finally found might slip away. She actually lashed out at Nicolas, wailing, “But if I can’t marry Michael, what’s the point of even living? I’d rather die than be stuck like this!”

As she spoke, Willow leaned forward, making it look as if she was about to slam her head against the wall, but Eloise hastily grabbed her. “My dear, what are you doing?” she exclaimed. “Nicolas only wants what’s best for you. Calm down and we’ll find a way.”

Willow fell sobbing into Eloise’s arms, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Clutching desperately at Nicolas’ sleeve, Willow pleaded with tear-filled eyes, “Please, Nicolas… I’m begging you.”

Nicolas’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white as he watched Willow’s suffering. In the end, Nicolas’s resolve finally crumbled under Willow’s repeated cries.

He warned sternly, "I'm allowing this just once. This will never be allowed again under any circumstances, Willow."

Willow was overjoyed and nodded emphatically in response, “I’ll do as you say, Nicolas. But what about the Osborne family… Ever since Willow was injured, the Osborne family had been sending people to inquire about her condition, not out of genuine concern, but to ascertain the severity of her injuries. If the injuries prove serious, they’ll have no choice but to postpone the wedding."

Nicolas sighed and reassured her, “I’ll talk to Michael, and we will have your wedding go ahead as scheduled.”

“Thank you, Nicolas! Thank you!” Willow exclaimed, her laughter quickly dissolving into tears of overwhelming joy. Her long wait had finally paid off.

Nicolas’s brow furrowed slightly as he took in her love-struck expression. Without another word, he strode out.

Nicolas went straight to Michael, and they met at a cafe for a private discussion.

Michael asked absently, “How’s Willow doing after her injury?” He wasn’t marrying Willow by choice, but he felt a sense of duty toward her. Whether he liked it or not, he had to marry her, but purely to.

Nicolas took a sip of coffee before replying, “The injuries aren’t serious, but she’ll need some time to recover. But, there’s no need to postpone the wedding.”

Michael stared at him in disbelief and questioned, “No serious injuries? Are you kidding me?”

Chapter 221

He had seen with his own eyes that Willow’s leg was broken, yet Nicolas claimed it was nothing serious.

Nicolas gave him an exasperated look before sighing. “Willow’s devotion to you knows no bounds. She’d rather endure her injuries than postpone the wedding. So, don’t you dare break her heart."

Hearing this, Michael understood perfectly. He gave a faint, sad murmur, a barely audible “mm” in response.

Nicolas noticed Michael staring fixedly in one direction and actively followed his gaze. At this sight, Nicolas’s face darkened instantly.

Michael’s gaze was fixed precisely in the direction of Allena’s residence.

There was only a street between them, and from where he was, Michael could clearly see Allena’s courtyard. At the corner of the wall, one of the tree’s branches was in full, vibrant bloom.

The estate bustled with activity, and it was vibrant with life. Though Allena herself was nowhere to be seen, even this distant glimpse of her world was priceless for Michael. Even just catching a glimpse of Allena’s figure from afar would be enough for him.

Nicolas snorted heavily and slammed his hand on the table. He snapped, “You’re about to marry Willow, but can’t you keep your wandering thoughts in check?”

Michael tore his gaze away and fixed Nicolas with an icy stare, demanding “What, you think you can boss me around now?”

“Such cutting words!” Nicolas bristled, thinking of how Willow had devoted all her heart to Michael. “Once she marries you, you’ll be my brother-in-law. Who says I can’t intervene? If I ever find out you’ve wronged her, don’t expect me to honor our brotherhood anymore.”

Michael snorted at his threat and shot back, “Why don’t you worry about yourself instead of me?”

Another word and their fragile truce would collapse. Seething with frustration, Nicolas bit his tongue, though his eyes still blazed with fury. Neither would yield, but for the sake of the marriage alliance, both forced themselves to rein in their anger. In the end, they parted ways in bitter silence.

“Miss Monson,” Trina called as she walked briskly into the courtyard of the Monson’s residence with a box in her hands.

Athena lounged on the garden swing, swaying gently with a contented smile. The warm sunlight was just right, and it made her feel pleasantly drowsy. It was only when Trina approached that Athena barely opened her eyes and asked languidly, “What is it?”

“Miss Athena, it’s from Fiona. She sent you something." Trina reported as she presented the box to Athena, who roused herself to lift the lid.

Athena froze at the sight. To her astonishment, all she found inside the box were a few simple pieces of cake.

Athena blinked in surprise and wondered, “Why would Fiona suddenly send me cakes? Even if she wanted to give a gift, would she really just send a few pieces!"

Chapter 221

Puzzled, Athena picked up a piece and turned it over in her hand. This is just an ordinary butter cake, and there’s nothing unusual. She broke it open with her fingers, but there was no filling inside either.

“Miss Monson, is there something amiss with these cakes?" Trina asked in confusion.

Athena shook her head, “Am I just being paranoid?” she wondered.

Athena picked up the last two pieces of cake and broke one of them open. This time, she made an unexpected discovery. A tiny wax pellet tumbled out from inside the cake.

“Miss Monson! There’s something inside!” Trina gasped.

Trina picked up the wax pellet and handed it to Athena, who carefully unrolled it, only to discover a tiny slip of paper inside. Inside were a few tiny handwritten words: “Do not return to the Duke’s Estate.”

Trina frowned in confusion and asked Athena, “Miss Monson, what does Lady Fiona mean by this? Why doesn’t she want you to return to the Duke’s Estate?”

Athena was also completely at a loss, but she knew Fiona wouldn’t have risked sending her a secret message for no reason at all.

Athena thought, Fiona must be warning me not to return to the Duke’s Estate. But I had long since severed all ties with the Duke’s Estate: Why on earth would I go back?

A quiet unease gnawed at Athena, stealing her sleep all night. At the crack of dawn the next day, Gwen came knocking at her door.

“Miss Athena!” Gwen burst in, her face etched with panic, eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears. “You must return to the Duke’s Estate at once. Lady Margaret is fading fast!”

The sight of Gwen’s distraught appearance made Athena’s heart leap to her throat. Athena gently tried to calm her and probed, “Gwen, don’t panic. Take your time. What’s happened to Grandma?”

Gwen, who was clearly terrified, wiped away her tears and stammered, “Lady Margaret suddenly coughed up blood late last night! The estate physician came and said that her vitals are weak, and she’s at death’s door.”

Athena prompted, “But Grandma was in perfect health just days ago. So, how could her health deteriorate so suddenly…?”

Athena’s heart turned to ice as she suddenly recalled Fiona’s warning, and this set off blaring alarms in her mind. She thought anxiously, Someone must be plotting against Grandma. Otherwise, her condition wouldn’t have deteriorated so suddenly.

Athena forced herself to stay calm. Turning to Trina, she ordered firmly, “Fetch my medical kit and gather the household guards. We’re heading to the Duke’s Estate immediately.”

Trina looked at Athena anxiously and urged, “Miss Monson, if you go back, won’t you just be walking straight into the lion’s den?”

“Even if it’s walking into the lion’s den, I have to go,” Athena declared resolutely. She knew all too well the true nature of those at the Duke’s Estate.

Athena thought, Grandma’s sudden illness is no accident.

Just then, a realization hit her: This was aimed at me. Now that Athena knew their true intentions, she certainly wasn’t about to meekly walk into their trap.

Chapter 221

Athena turned to Maiquita and instructed, “Send Lance to the Xander Manor with a message. Tell them I’ve returned to the Duke’s Estate on business. If Prince Xander runs out of medicine, have someone come to the Duke’s Estate to get it from me.”