Chapter 272
Athena was making her way to the Dear Garden when Trina caught up, frowning in confusion. “Ms. Monson, you actually told those people to demand money from the duke’s estate? Do they even have the guts?”
The duke’s estate was no ordinary place; it was a distinguished noble house. Common folks rarely set foot in the magistrate’s office, let alone a duke’s estate. If they dared to demand money from the duke’s estate, they’d be digging their own graves.
Athena chuckled dismissively. “Do you really think people in this line of work don’t have powerful backers? Besides, debt collection is an art–no one would be foolish enough to confront the Duke’s estate head-on. Just letting the news of their debt get out will be enough to make the duke’s estate sweat.”
Henry has always prided himself on his reputation. If he finds out Matthew caused such a colossal scandal, there’s no way he’ll let him off easy.
Trina’s face lit up with realization. “Ms. Monson, you’re brilliant! Using the duke’s estate to teach Matthew a lesson!”
Athena’s lips curled into a knowing smile, “Oh, that was just the warm-up.”
Athena thought coldly, ‘Matthew still owes me a blood debt. He won’t get off lightly.’
Just then, a page boy came running up frantically to Athena. “Ms. Monson, hurry back to the manor! Your grandma has collapsed from rage!”
“What? How? I asked you to take care of her. What happened?” Athena was immediately alarmed when she heard the news.
As Athena strode forward, the page boy quickly recounted what had happened. Athena’s face turned ashen with rage, but avenging Matthew would have to wait–her grandmother took priority.
An hour later, Athena returned to the manor. Seeing Athena rush back in a flurry, Gwen hurried forward to meet her. “Don’t fret, Ms. Monson. Mrs. Monson is fine now.” As she spoke, Gwen gave a significant glance toward the inner chamber and lowered her voice to a whisper. “On our way back, we encountered Prince Xander. His Highness personally escorted Mrs. Monson home. Mrs. Monson had fainted from sheer rage, but came to shortly after.”
“Prince Xander?” Athena gasped.
“Well, when Mrs. Monson was being helped out, the streets were jammed with people and he couldn’t get through. It was Prince Xander who cleared the way for us so she could leave. His Highness then personally escorted us back to the manor, and now Mrs. Monson is with him, chatting.”
“I must check on Grandmother!” Athena exclaimed, rushing into the house.
In the main hall, Margaret sat in an ornate rosewood armchair, with two maids attending behind her. Xander was seated in the place of honor to her right, engaged in pleasant conversation with Margaret.
Athena couldn’t quite make out what was being said, but she saw a happy smile light up Margaret’s face. Believing her, Athena hurried forward and called out, “Grandmother, are you all right?”
Seeing Athena rush in with hurried steps and an anxious expression, Margaret immediately knew she had heard. Margaret reached out with a gentle, reassuring smile and said, “Don’t worry, dear. I’m as fit as a fiddle.”
Athena leaned in to carefully examine Margaret, gently taking her pulse. Only after confirming that her grandmother was truly all right did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Believing her, Athena let out a quiet sigh, then performed a graceful curtsy toward Xander. “Thank you for your assistance, Prince Xander.”
Xander rose gracefully and gestured lightly with his hand, “There’s no need for such formality.”
Athena took her seat on the left, only then realizing she was drenched in sweat from her frantic rush. Even the tip of her nose was beaded with sweat.
Xander noticed Athena’s face flushed with exertion and realized just how genuinely alarmed she was. Xander offered her a handkerchief with a gentle smile, “Here, wipe your face.”
The handkerchief was pristine white, woven from the finest cloud-patterned brocade. Delicately embroidered in one corner was a small “X”–his personal mark.
This was Xander’s personal handkerchief, and Athena hesitated, unsure whether it was proper to accept it.
“What, you don’t want it?” Xander murmured, his voice low. Athena snapped out of it, quickly took it, and shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Clutching the handkerchief, Athena felt strangely reluctant to use such a personal gift from Xander just to wipe away her sweat.
Noticing Athena’s flustered expression, Xander smiled faintly, produced an invitation from his robe, and presented it to her. “My mother’s birthday falls on the 28th of this month. You and Mrs. Monson must attend.”
Every year, Xander hosts a grand celebration for Alexandra’s birthday. This year was no exception. However, upon hearing the news, Athena felt a twinge of unease. Last time, Alexandra had warned her not to entertain any ideas of cozying up to royalty for her own gain. Clearly, Alexandra disapproved of her.
But Xander was inviting her to Alexandra’s birthday. “Isn’t that just walking straight into the lion’s den?” Athena thought.
Not even the subtle shift in Athena’s expression escaped Xander’s discerning gaze.
Xander asked, “Is there some trouble?”
Athena shook her head, her expression composed, yet her heart was in turmoil. If she were to tell Xander the truth, wouldn’t it just seem like she was trying to come between him and his mother? Alexandra’s current courtesy toward her was merely because she hadn’t yet crossed Alexandra’s interests.
Athena thought anxiously, ‘If I show up at Alexandra’s birthday banquet, she’ll skin me alive.”
Margaret, noticing Athena’s hesitation, immediately understood what was weighing on her mind. Unwilling to voice her concerns in front of Xander, Margaret gracefully stepped in “Lady Alexandra’s birthday? Rest assured, Your Highness, we will certainly attend. Thank you for your kind invitation.”
Xander also noticed something was amiss, but chose not to press the matter directly. Instead, he gracefully steered the conversation elsewhere.
After exchanging some more pleasantries, Xander took his leave.
As Athena escorted Xander to the gate, she hesitated before asking politely, “May I ask what your mother prefers? I’d like to prepare something suitable.”
“There’s no need to bring anything,” Xander said with a meaningful look, his eyes brimming with deep affection. “Your presence alone would be enough.”
Fortunately, Xander didn’t press the matter further. He gave Athena a gentle smile before turning and strolling away, his steps light and unhurried.
Only after Xander had left did Athena finally let out a troubled sigh and head back.
Trina saw Athena looking troubled and couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Ms. Monson, Prince Xander is always so attentive to you–why are you still sighing?”
Before, Trina had only believed that Xander, with his immense power, would surely protect Athena. But as Trina got to know him better, she realized that some people are just naturally outstanding–regardless of their status. Even a servant like Trina could plainly see how much Prince Xander doted on Athena; surely, Athena must have realized his feelings by now.
But how could Trina possibly fathom the depth of Athena’s troubles?
“Ugh, just the thought of Alexandra spotting me at the birthday banquet is enough to give me a splitting headache,” Athena groaned inwardly. “Alexandra would surely think I’m the one clinging to Prince Xander.”
Margaret noticed Athena entering with a furrowed brow and asked with concern. “My dear child, you’ve been so downcast ever since receiving that invitation. What’s troubling you? Tell me all about it.”
Seeing the concern on Margaret’s face, Athena couldn’t bear to trouble her grandmother with her own worries.
Athena nestled into Margaret’s arms like a petulant child, her voice muffled against her grandmother’s robes. “I was just so worried about you, Grandmother. You really gave me a fright.”
Seeing Athena’s genuine expression, Margaret finally let out a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry, dear, I’m perfectly fine. If it weren’t for that good-for-nothing Matthew, I wouldn’t have gotten so worked up in the first place…“
But before she could finish, the butler hurried in.
“Mrs. Monson,” the butler announced, “Eloise and Henry of Suffield are here to see you. They claim to be here to offer their apologies.”
Athena and Margaret both furrowed their brows, their eyes full of undisguised disgust. Margaret had just begun to calm down, but the mere mention of their names instantly reignited her fury. “Send them away! I refuse to see them!”