Chapter 35

Kelsey gave a soft smile, her hands crossed over her abdomen as she spoke with biting sarcasm. "Your daughter really is something else. Instead of agreeing to an annulment, she wants to break off the engagement."

At this, both Eloise and Willow stared at her in shock.

They exchanged surprised glances, and Eloise quickly asked, "How could she want to break off the engagement?"

"She’s your daughter. Why ask me? You should be asking her," Kelsey replied, her tone growing sharp. She had never made a mistake in all her scheming, yet now, Athena had managed to outmaneuver her.

Willow’s heart tightened with worry. She tugged gently at Eloise’s sleeve, her distress palpable. Eloise, sensing the anxiety, patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry."

Turning back to Kelsey with a polite smile, she said, "Perhaps my daughter misunderstood. I'll speak with her and get back to you."

"By the way, I recently acquired some Moonlight Silk. The fabric looks exquisite, and it would complement your complexion perfectly. I’ll have someone send it over to your house."

Eloise’s tone was sweet and flattering, and Kelsey clearly appreciated it.

Moonlight Silk was a rare and valuable fabric. Not only was it soft to the touch, but it shimmered like moonlight when the wearer moved, lending them an ethereal beauty.

Kelsey’s demeanor softened, and she smiled at Eloise. "You’re too kind."

They exchanged a smile, and the conversation shifted, the engagement issue effectively brushed aside.

But in her heart, Kelsey couldn’t help but sneer. Eloise thought she had the upper hand, but what she didn’t realize was that her seemingly innocent daughter Athena had learned how to fight back.

The flower hall had fallen silent, and Athena stood alone, almost untouchable, like a poison no one dared approach.

In contrast, Willow basked in the attention, surrounded by adoring guests. The difference between the two was glaringly obvious.

Just as Athena was about to leave, a maid came over to clear the coffee set and accidentally spilled some coffee on her.

Athena frowned slightly but didn’t speak. The maid, terrified, immediately bowed and begged, "Lady Athena, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!"

"Get up," Athena said, her voice calm, showing no intention of scolding the maid. "Trina, let’s go back and change."

The noise in the courtyard had grown unbearable, and Athena had been eager to leave. This was the perfect excuse.

She began walking toward her courtyard, with Trina following closely behind.

Though Athena’s departure turned a few heads, no one paid much attention. After all, today was Willow’s day.

As Athena passed through the corridor and approached a flower gate, she was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.

Michael stood in her way, as imposing as a mountain, his expression as cold as ice.

Athena’s first instinct was to turn and leave, but when she looked back, she saw Trina was no longer behind her; instead, there were two of Michael’s guards.

Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist, the sharp pain making her flinch. She frowned and, in a low voice, said, "Let go."

"If you don’t want your maid to get into trouble, you’d better keep quiet."

Without saying another word, Michael dragged her to a quiet, secluded spot. Athena, with a swift movement, wrenched her wrist free.

Her hair had come loose and was now falling over her face, which she roughly brushed aside. Though her expression remained calm, there was a hint of agitation. "Lord Osborne, please show some restraint."

"Restraint?" Michael’s eyes were filled with mocking amusement. "When you were chasing after me, you didn’t talk about restraint. Now that you’re aiming higher, you cast me aside as if I'm nothing?"

His gaze fell on the gold hairpin in Athena’s hair, and without a word, he reached for it. Athena, quick as ever, slapped his hand away, her voice icy as she questioned him, "Don’t you find it laughable, Lord Osborne?"

The bitterness in her heart nearly overwhelmed her. She fought to maintain her composure, pinching her palm until the sharp pain helped her regain control.

Athena took a few steps back, creating some distance between herself and Michael, and gave him a slight curtsy. "If you have no further business, I shall take my leave."

The garden was bustling with activity, and if anyone were to see her with Michael here, no amount of explaining could clear the misunderstanding.

Michael remained where he stood, not budging an inch; it was clear he wasn’t willing to back down.

Athena furrowed her brow, genuinely confused. She couldn’t understand his intentions.

She thought, "He loves Willow, and I have already made concessions regarding the engagement. So why is he still clinging to me?"

Michael reached out his hand toward her. "Give it to me."

Athena was momentarily baffled. "Give you what?"

Then it hit her. He must be asking for the jewel pendant.

A mocking smile tugged at the corners of Athena’s mouth. "I understand you’re in a hurry, Lord Osborne, but there’s no need to rush."

For Willow, he was willing to sacrifice everything.

In truth, Michael had always protected Willow, refusing to let her suffer in the slightest. As children, he had acted as her protector.

Meanwhile, Athena had always been the one chasing after him. Now that she was no longer chasing, he was the one unwilling to let go.

Athena found it strangely amusing. But to Michael, her smile felt like a slap in the face.

He thought, "What is she smiling at? Is she mocking me, thinking she is about to rise above me? Does she even realize the gravity of her actions?"

In frustration, Michael raised his voice. "Athena, do you really think you’re going to climb higher now? Do you think someone like you could ever deserve Ray's attention? Do you even think things through!"

Athena had been on her way out, but hearing his words, she couldn’t help but fire back, "A person with a dirty heart sees everything as tainted."

Those were the very words Michael had used before. Now, Athena was returning them to him.

Irritation flashed across Michael’s face. He hadn’t meant to say that. He thought, "Why is it that my words always come out so wrong?"

If only Athena were more like Willow—obedient and kind—he wouldn’t be treating her this way. But no, she had to be difficult. All he wanted was for her to submit. He wondered, "Is that too much to ask?"

Athena’s eyes met his with a cold stare. "Lord Osborne, are you still clinging to me here in this quiet corner? Could it be that you haven't gotten over me?"

Her words struck Michael like a sharp blow to the chest.

A voice inside him almost admitted it, but the mocking glint in Athena’s eyes made him retract the thought and instead snap back, "Athena, you’re really that full of yourself!"

He paused for a moment before adding, his voice dripping with disdain, "Do you really think you’re worthy?"

The second the words left his mouth, Michael regretted them.

Athena, always proud and stubborn, looked at him, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

For a split second, the tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, and just when Michael thought they might fall, Athena forced them back with resolve.

She lifted her chin, a cruel smile forming on her lips as she addressed him. "I'm lonely and unworthy, of course I don't deserve you. But right now, your actions are far more disgraceful than mine."

In that instant, Michael’s heart seemed to shatter. He wasn’t sure if it was his heart breaking or Athena’s.

"Get away from me," Athena said coldly, pushing at him. But he remained as immovable as a mountain.

He should have been angry, yet he couldn’t summon any strength to push her away.

His fists clenched tightly as he stared at Athena, so close to her. He could hardly contain the urge to press his lips to hers in a punishing kiss. And that’s exactly what he did.

As he stepped forward, his eyes bloodshot, he cornered her against the wall, gritting his teeth. "Say that again?"