Chapter 237
Eloise was reluctant to leave, but a panting servant rushed up to her in a panic.
“Lady Eloise, something terrible has happened,” the servant said anxiously. “Our Aurora Atelier is in trouble.”
“What happened? Out with it!”
Since its inception, the exquisite crystal glassware crafted by the Aurora Atelier had been immensely popular among the nobility. With its sky-high prices and unique charm, it was truly unparalleled in Pidence City. The Monson family made a fortune from this venture. Naturally, much of the credit went to Willow. Now that the Monson family’s entire livelihood hinged on the Aurora Atelier, how could Eloise not be utterly distraught after hearing the news?
The servant gasped for breath and cried out in panic, “Our entire shipment has been stolen. Many customers have canceled their orders because there’s no stock left.”
Upon hearing this, Eloise’s face went deathly pale. She swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing to the ground.
A maid rushed to steady her. “Lady Eloise, you must take care of yourself.”
“Hurry, help me get to the Aurora Atelier now.”
The maid hurriedly supported Eloise as they rushed out.
Athena was startled, secretly wondering who could be so formidable as to raid the goods of the Monson family. She thought with glee, ‘But whoever it is, this is truly ingenious. How brilliant to have ruined the Monson family’s day on Willow’s wedding.’
With her mood instantly brightened, Athena walked with a brisk pace.
From a nearby loft, a masked man was watching in Athena’s direction. He was dressed in an azure robe, with only half his face visible beneath a silver mask. With long, slender fingers, he removed the mask, revealing a breathtakingly handsome visage.
Standing beside Ferris, a black-clad shadow guard reported respectfully, “Lord Ferris, the mission is accomplished.”
Without turning around, Ferris’s voice carried undeniable authority. “Offload the Monson family’s goods immediately before any complications arise.”
The crystal glassware cost a fortune to produce, but selling it overseas would instantly double the profits. He had chosen this day to strike for one reason only, which was to avenge Athena. The Monson family was nobody to him. He wanted them to learn the true price of crossing Athena. The Osborne family was his next target.
As Athena’s figure vanished from sight, Ferris donned his mask once more. His black hood enveloped him completely as he turned and stepped back into the shadows of the room.
When news of the crystal glassware robbery reached the duke’s estate, Henry was so enraged he nearly collapsed on the spot. Clutching his chest, he was gasping for air for what felt like an eternity. With his voice shaking, Henry asked, “How much of the shipment is left?”
The messenger boy trembled in fear, too terrified to respond as he watched Henry nearly faint from rage. Henry took a few shaky breaths and asked hesitantly. “Half?”
The servant shook his head. Henry closed his eyes and asked again, “Could it be… only thirty percent left?”
‘Surely, no matter how skilled they are, there’s no way they could have stolen everything right under the Monson family’s nose,’ he thought.
But the servant shook his head again. Henry’s eyes bulged in disbelief. “H–how much is left, exactly?”
The servant, terrified, fell to his knees with a thud, his face ashen. He wailed, “Duke Henry, not a single one is left.”
“What?” Henry exclaimed, his eyes rolling back as he fainted.
That shipment was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and now it was all gone in an instant. He remembered the agreement. If they failed to deliver on time, they’d owe triple compensation. Triple compensation would land him in hot water.
Eloise returned with her smile gone. It felt as if her world had come crashing down. On what should have been the happiest day, a heavy gloom hung over the duke’s estate. Everyone looked as if they were at a funeral.
The wedding guests noticed this and began whispering to each other, “What’s going on? Is Lady Willow unwilling to marry, or what? Why are they pulling a long face?”
“Who knows? I’m not going to put up with this nonsense. I’m out of here.”
Many guests, clueless about the real situation, left in a huff. Henry and Eloise tried to persuade them to stay, but their efforts were futile. Given the devastating blow to the Aurora Atelier, Henry and Eloise were barely holding it together. Of course, they couldn’t publicly acknowledge any of this. After all, it was embarrassing.
Willow, secluded in her room, had no idea what was happening outside. She was still waiting for Eloise to bring Margaret back. But after what felt like an eternity, there was still no sign of them. Unable to sit still any longer, she asked Nona, “Hasn’t Grandmother returned yet? The wedding is about to begin.”
With both her brothers still recovering, it was humiliating enough not having them escort her out for the wedding as tradition required. If even Margaret didn’t show up, she’d be buried under all the gossip.
Nona shook her head frantically. “Lady Eloise has returned, but I don’t know what happened. She looked utterly distraught, and even… even many of the guests have already left.”
“What?” Willow shot to her feet in anger. “No, I have to go out and check it out.”
“Lady Willow, you mustn’t.” Nona frantically blocked her path. “The bride mustn’t be seen before the ceremony.”
Willow composed herself and sat back down. “You’re right. It’s my big day. I can’t be seen before the ceremony.”
Seated in her room, Willow was on pins and needles. She felt extremely uneasy.
Chapter 237
The wedding was about to start, but there was still no activity outside. She urged Nona, “Go outside and see what’s going on. Why hasn’t the wedding procession arrived yet?”
Seeing Willow’s genuine distress, Nona said, “Yes, Lady Willow. I’ll find out immediately.”
Willow waited anxiously. Soon, Nona returned. Willow asked urgently, “Did you manage to find out anything?”
Nona shook her head. “It’s utter chaos out there, Lady Willow. I saw Lady Eloise busy entertaining the guests, but I couldn’t get any useful information.”
Upon hearing this, Willow’s unease grew even stronger. She thought, ‘Could it be that Michael isn’t coming to marry me?’
Willow was on edge, and Eloise wasn’t faring any better. It was about time for the wedding to begin, yet there was still no sign of the Osborne family’s wedding procession. Just as Eloise was about to send someone to the Osborne family for news, a messenger from the Osborne family arrived.
“Lady Eloise, bad news,” the messenger said. “Peace Street collapsed without warning. Half the wedding procession fell in. Lord Osborne narrowly escaped injury, and now they have to take the long way around to fetch the bride.”
Eloise’s vision darkened. ‘What a complete nightmare,’ she thought.
Forcing herself to stay upright, Eloise asked, “If they take the long way, how much longer until they get here?”
The messenger thought for a moment before replying, “It’ll take another hour, Lady Eloise. Grandton Street is chock-full of market crowds, so Lord Osborne has no choice but to detour outside the city walls and re-enter through the West Gate.”
“But if he does that, we’ll miss the start time,” Eloise exclaimed, sweat beading on her forehead.
If the wedding didn’t begin on schedule, the groom wouldn’t be blamed, but everyone would pin all the blame on Willow. She’d be criticized and labeled as a jinx. On her wedding day, her grandmother fell gravely ill, and her husband-to-be fell from his horse. Any future mishap would surely be blamed on Willow as well.
Eloise’s eyes brimmed with anxious tears. “This won’t do. We absolutely cannot start the wedding late. Tell Lord Osborne that no matter what happens, he must arrive on time.”
Gritting her teeth, she added, “If he misses the appointed time, the Monson family would rather call off the wedding entirely.”
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the messenger boy dared not delay for even a second. Spurring his horse, he galloped off to catch up with the wedding procession.