Chapter 24

Just as Aliza was about to return to her room, she heard a voice from nearby, “Lord Joseph and Lord Matthew are back!”

She paused, her face lighting up with a smile of delight.

Eloise had three sons and one daughter. Her eldest son, Nicolas, was the heir to the duke’s estate. The second son, Matthew Monson, wasn’t as talented, but he had secured a position in the Pidence Guard thanks to Henry’s influence. He was strikingly handsome, inheriting Eloise’s beauty and Henry’s tall, elegant frame. Growing up privileged, with fair skin, he had earned the nickname “The Handsome Man” in Pidence City.

The third son, Joseph Menson, was spoiled by Eloise. He had no official position and no responsibilities, spending his days idly at home. His studies were a mess, and he had often been scolded by Henry for his lack of discipline. Though Joseph shared a resemblance with his brothers, his personality was different. Compared to his older brothers, he lacked both their talent and their looks.

Aliza’s sights were set on Matthew. She didn’t dare dream of becoming his wife, but she believed she could be his concubine.

In the estate, any maid with decent looks was given to the young masters to gain their favor and ensure they had trustworthy people around.

As Aliza thought about this, she returned to her room and emerged a moment later, looking completely different.

The other maids couldn’t help but comment, “Mira, you look stunning today!”

Aliza smiled inwardly, but her face remained composed. “Is your work done? Stop slacking off. If the mistress catches you, you’ll be in trouble.”

As one of the highest-ranking maids, Aliza had a certain authority over the others. Normally, they would have scurried off by now. But nearly everyone knew of her ambitions, and she didn’t mind letting them show it, it was only a matter of time before she secured her place.

The maids shared a knowing smile before teasingly pointing toward Willow’s courtyard. “The brothers are going to see Lady Willow.”

A smile tugged at Aliza’s lips as she made her way toward Willow’s courtyard.

Inside Ivory Grove, Willow was surrounded by her brothers.

“This is outrageous! She’s only been back for a few days, and she’s already causing chaos. Even Nicolas got punished. Does she want to tear this family apart?” Matthew slammed his fist on the table, his tall frame radiating fury, his brows drawn tightly in anger.

Joseph snorted, sounding unconcerned. “I told you, she’s nothing but bad luck. Anyone who gets close to her ends up miserable.”

“Before she came back, everything was fine in the family.”

Willow quickly shook her head, her eyes filled with pleading. “Joseph, Matthew, it’s not Athena’s fault. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have acted this way. The truth is, I took away her place in Father’s heart.”

She reached out, trying to push her brothers aside. “She’s your sister too. Joseph, Matthew, please, can’t you go see her?”

Matthew’s anger grew even more intense. “You’re always sacrificing yourself for others. If we hadn’t come back, would you have just let her bully you without saying anything?”

“No, no, that’s not it…” Willow’s voice wavered, and her eyes began to redden with the effort to hold back her tears. When the tears began to fall, one by one. “Joseph, please don’t think that way. It really is my fault this time. Don’t blame Athena. If you go to Athena, she’ll think I told you everything. I don’t want to cause any more conflict between you all because of me.”

Her voice was soft and fragile, interrupted by bouts of coughing that made Matthew’s heart ache.

He quickly patted her back, letting out a heavy sigh. “From now on, we’ll make sure she never bullies you again.”

“I know you’re pure-hearted, but there are some people you don’t need to be polite with. You want to let her go because she’s your sister, but she doesn’t see you as family. She even plotted to have you punished. People like that deserve to be repaid in kind – an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

Joseph’s face hardened with resolve as he slowly clenched his fists, turning toward Willow. “Fight back. Let her know you’re not someone to mess with.”

Matthew’s anger flared, fully agreeing with his brother. “We know exactly what kind of person you are. This time, we won’t let it slide.”

Willow was their most cherished little sister, and the thought of her being hurt by Athena filled them with fury. The two brothers exchanged a determined glance and stood up together.

Willow seemed to sense what they were about to do and quickly cried out, “Joseph, Matthew, what are you planning to do?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on getting better. Leave everything else to us,” Matthew said, his voice firm as he walked toward the door, with Joseph right behind him.

Willow, coughing heavily, leaned forward on the bed. “No, please come back… Joseph, don’t do anything to Athena. She’s too weak to handle it.”

But neither of the brothers turned back. Willow, panicked, turned to her maid and ordered, “Nona, hurry, help me up! If something happens, I'll be the one to blame.”

Nona looked worried. “My lady, you’re in no condition to go anywhere. Please, just rest.”

“No, I’ll be fine,” Willow insisted, pushing herself up. “Joseph has a bad temper. If he acts out, things will get worse. I need to stop them.”

Nona reluctantly helped her, but Willow was so weak that after taking just a few steps, she needed to stop and rest.

“My lady, even if you go now, it won’t help. You won’t be able to stop Joseph,” Nona said, her voice full of concern.

“Even if I can’t stop them, I have to try,” Willow said, her eyes welling up with tears. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said those things to Joseph, otherwise…”

Another fit of coughing seized her, and her body started to tremble.

Nona broke into a sweat, realizing it would be too late, even if they made it there now.

After leaving Ivory Grove, Matthew was greeted by Aliza, who quickly bowed and said, “Lord Joseph, Lord Matthew.”

He recognized Aliza, recalling that she had once worked in Eloise’s courtyard before being given to Athena.

Seeing her, Matthew furrowed his brow. “Where is Athena?”

“She’s resting. She’s not feeling well.”

“Does Athena not know we’re back?” Joseph sneered. “You know, but she doesn’t? When Joseph and I came home before, she was always the first to greet us. After three years of serving here, she’s now avoiding us. She has no place to blame anyone else.”

Matthew’s frown deepened. The difference in how things used to be left him unsettled.

In the past, before he even reached the house, he would always see a small figure waiting by the doorstep. Even before his carriage got close, Athena would be running toward him, calling sweetly, “Joseph, Matthew!”

But now, after so much time had passed since their return, Athena hadn’t even come to greet them. Not only that, but she was actively avoiding them. It was clear that she was feeling guilty and didn’t want to face them.