Chapter 297

By late afternoon, Michael returned to the family estate. Gone was his usual confident demeanor; Michael entered with his head hung low.

Having not seen him for days, Willow hurried forward the moment she spotted his return. “My lord…” she called softly.

Michael merely cast her an indifferent glance and said nothing.

When Willow tried to cling to him, Michael firmly pushed her away.

Kelsey, seeing his demeanor, couldn’t help but stand up for Willow. “Where on earth have you been these days? Willow has been so worried about you that she couldn’t sleep at all. Now that you’re finally back, is there any need to give her the cold shoulder?”

Michael had always been loyal to his family. He would never defy his mother.

But today, defying all expectations, Michael fixed Kelsey with an icy stare and said, “Mother, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Kelsey’s heart sank the moment she saw his expression. She sensed something was wrong.

Her eyes flickered away, heavy with guilt. “What is it? Go ahead,” she said.

“Did the Osborne family meddle in General Perkins‘ case back then?” Michael suddenly raised his voice.

Kelsey’s eyes nearly bulged out in terror as she bellowed, “Everyone out, now!”

The servants promptly withdrew outside the courtyard and firmly closed the doors behind them.

Kelsey’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Have you lost your mind? How could you spout such reckless talk? His Majesty took care of General Perkins‘ case. What could it possibly have to do with our family?”

“Are you absolutely certain?” Michael pressed, his resolve unwavering.

Kelsey nodded emphatically. “Even if the Osborne family sought to curry favor with the Queen, we would always leave ourselves an escape route. General Perkins‘ family served with unwavering loyalty. Our family would never stoop to such unconscionable deeds.”

Truth be told, while the Osborne family didn’t get involved, they did catch wind of the situation.

They simply chose to turn a blind eye.

Therefore, she wasn’t lying.

Michael breathed a sigh of relief at her words. “That’s for the best.”

All the way back, Michael was coiled with tension, dreading that Kelsey might reveal the truth he feared most.

He thought, ‘There is already a rift between Athena and me. I can’t afford to let any more animosity come between us.’

Willow noticed the deep frown on Michael’s face. He was clearly thinking about Athena again. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

Willow thought, ‘Even though he’s married me now, he still can’t stop thinking about Athena. I just don’t get it. What kind of spell has that witch cast on Michael to make him so obsessed with her?’

Willow’s chest constricted with rage as she dug her nails deep into her palms.

She said, “But you’ve ruined the Queen’s plans this time. She won’t forgive you easily. For your safety, stay inside the estate for the next few days. The day after tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to the palace to beg Her Highness‘ pardon.”

Before Willow’s offering was ready, the Queen was sure to be furious.

Only by presenting the gift could they prove their sincerity.

Willow felt that such a precious gift might just soften the Queen’s wrath a little.

Michael didn’t argue, but solemnly cautioned Kelsey, “There’s a chance General Perkins‘ case might be reopened. For your safety, Mother, you’d better stay indoors in the coming days.”

Michael thought to himself, ‘Knowing Athena’s temperament, she would surely petition the Emperor directly to clear General Perkins‘ name.’

With the Queen implicated in this case, Michael couldn’t help but fear for Athena’s safety.

He did not know if this would work out.

Kelsey drew a sharp breath, her face paling in shock. “Athena has uncovered something, hasn’t she?”

Michael nodded trustingly. “Back then, General Perkins was falsely accused of embezzlement. But before the military payroll arrived, he’d already started selling off his assets to support the troops.

“General Perkins was the epitome of integrity. How could he possibly have committed embezzlement? But at the time, the evidence was irrefutable. Even if His Majesty had wanted to protect him, there was nothing he could do. What was originally a death sentence was commuted to exile. It was a mercy that his life was spared.”

After he finished speaking, Michael shot a wary glance at Kelsey and sternly repeated his warning. “Under no circumstances can this reach a third person’s ears. If it does, Athena will be in grave danger.”

Willow clenched her jaw in silent fury, her eyes alight with resentment.

Willow thought bitterly, ‘He hasn’t even looked me in the eye since coming back, yet keeps calling Athena so affectionately.’

Kelsey nodded, a wave of belated fear washing over her. “Rest assured, the Osborne family only seeks to protect itself. We certainly won’t meddle in such affairs.”

‘So that’s why Michael rushed to save Athena. The Queen actually wanted her dead,’ Kelsey realized with a chill.

A wave of belated fear washed over Kelsey.

Kelsey couldn’t help but secretly resent Athena for being such a constant source of trouble. In the past, Athena had hounded Michael. Now, Michael couldn’t seem to let her go.

Kelsey felt utterly drained. With a weary wave of her hand, she said, “I’m quite exhausted. You two should head back to your room.”

“Yes, Mother,” Willow answered respectfully, though inwardly pleased.

Once Kelsey had departed, Willow stepped closer to Michael and called out in a soft, gentle voice, “My lord.”

Michael responded with an indifferent grunt and left it at that.

Willow boldly linked her arm through Michael’s before gazing up at him with hopeful eyes. “You must be so worn out after all these days. Let me draw you a hot bath to ease your weariness.”

Michael didn’t give it much thought. Travel–worn and weary, he really needed a hot bath.

Michael nodded wearily. “Alright.”

Willow’s eyes sparkled with triumph. Upon returning to their courtyard, she immediately ordered the maid to draw a bath.

Willow shot Nona a meaningful glance, and Nona nodded knowingly.

Nona then went to the incense burner and lit the incense.

Fragrant smoke curled from the bronze incense burner, filling the air with its heady aroma.

Michael sat in the bathtub with his eyes closed when suddenly a pair of soft, delicate hands crept around his neck.

Pressed against Willow’s soft body, Michael felt his skin flush pink.

Michael frowned slightly as he opened his eyes, only to find Willow standing before him, wearing nothing but a thin, revealing undergarment.

“My lord, let me attend to your bath,” Willow murmured coyly, her cheeks flushed with anticipation as she gazed at Michael.

Michael suddenly felt a wave of heat rush through his body, an unfamiliar desire stirring deep within him.

Willow slowly drew closer, her hand reaching for Michael’s face. However, his hand suddenly shot out and seized her wrist in a vice–like grip.

A sharp pain shot through Willow’s wrist, making her frown.

Willow looked at Michael, her eyes brimming with hurt and confusion. “My lord, you’re hurting me,” she murmured plaintively.

Michael fixed her with a piercing stare, his gaze turning icy. “What did you do?”

Willow’s heart lurched as Michael’s piercing gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

Still, Willow forced herself to deny it. “Nothing at all.”

Michael’s keen eyes saw right through the panic in Willow’s gaze.

Michael demanded, “If you’ve done nothing, then why won’t you look me in the eye?”

Willow whimpered, her eyes red–rimmed with tears. “Michael, please don’t talk to me like that. I’m scared.”

In the past, whenever Willow put on this pitiful act, Michael’s heart would always ache for her unbearably.

But now, Michael’s icy stare bore into her as his grip on her wrist tightened. “Tell me!”

With a deep, commanding bark, Michael’s military authority erupted, making Willow shriek in pain.

When she looked up again, tears were streaming down her face.

She thought, ‘How could I say it? If Michael ever found out about the despicable tricks I used, he’d surely despise me even more.’

Gritting her teeth against the pain, Willow shook her head wildly. “My lord, I swear I didn’t do anything!”

With one powerful shove, Michael sent Willow sprawling onto the floor.

Michael sprang out of the tub, hastily threw on his clothes, and stormed out.

His sharp gaze swept across the room before locking onto the incense burner.