Chapter 350
Xander marched straight in with Athena. The servants of Isaac’s residence had never seen such a show of force. They shook with fear, and no one dared block the way.
When they reached Kendra’s courtyard, Isaac’s old madam was standing guard at the door.
Her face was full of panic, yet she still spread her arms across the entrance and refused to let Athena pass. “My granddaughter is badly hurt and still unconscious. You people have gone too far! How can you storm into Porter Mansion like this? Aren’t you afraid my son will complain to His Majesty?”
Her voice trembled as she spoke. At her age, she could hardly bear the strain. If not for a maid supporting her, she might have collapsed on the spot.
Because the opponent was an elder, Athena chose not to press her.
She stepped forward and spoke politely. “Old Madam, please don’t be angry. We heard Miss Porter was injured. His Highness and I have come by imperial order to treat her. If we have caused offense, we beg your pardon.”
She continued, “Miss Porter is precious to you, and you certainly don’t want to see her suffer. If we delay any longer, I cannot guarantee a cure.”
Her words reminded the old lady that she and Xander were acting under the King’s command, so there was no question of forcibly breaking in. She also used Kendra’s wound to persuade the old lady.
As expected, the old lady’s attitude softened.
She eyed Athena doubtfully. “Can you really wake Kendra up?”
“If you don’t trust me, you may watch from the side,” Athena replied softly. Her manner was open and honest.
Worrying about her granddaughter, the old lady finally compromised. “Very well, go in.”
Xander advanced a step and gave the old lady a slight nod. “Thank you, Great-Grandmother.”
The old lady, still wary, glanced at him. When he had split the gates a moment ago, his expression had not been as gentle as it was now.
Xander’s reputation preceded him. She had never regarded him as kin; being called “Great-Grandmother” nearly made her sit down in fright.
“Forgive me. I don’t deserve that address,” she said with a forced smile. In truth, she was terrified. If she enraged Xander, he might burn the estate to the ground.
Inside, Athena asked Xander to wait in the outer room. It was, after all, a young woman’s boudoir, and a man’s presence would be improper.
He sat in a grand armchair, as still and cold as an ice sculpture. The old lady did not even dare look at him. She followed Athena into the inner chamber instead.
Kendra lay on the bed, a white bandage wrapped around her wrist. Her face was deathly pale, lips bloodless, eyes tightly closed.
The old lady hovered behind Athena, anxious yet wary.
She ventured to ask, “Your Highness, are you confident?”
“I can be sure only after examining her,” Athena replied.
She approached the bed and inspected the wound closely.
The cut in the flesh was shallow. Such an injury could never have caused real unconsciousness.
So, Kendra was pretending.
To seize the marriage, she had been willing to go this far, even using her own father. If Isaac knew the truth, he would hardly have charged into the palace in the middle of the night.
‘Poor man, manipulated by his own daughter. Who knows how heartbroken he’d be if he learned the truth,’ Athena thought.
Since Kendra wished to act, Athena would play along.
Athena sighed and frowned. “Miss Porter’s injury…” She trailed off.
The old lady hurried forward, her voice shaking, “What is wrong with my granddaughter? Tell me!”
Athena’s brow knit tighter, her tone tinged with regret. “The cut likely damaged the tendons. I fear her hand may never regain full use.”
“How can that be? The imperial physicians said the wound was shallow. How could it reach the tendons?” The old lady staggered back, bewildered.
Athena could see that the old lady truly had no idea.
She said, “Though the tendons may be intact, the flesh is deeply sliced. A scar will surely form. The dead tissue will hinder movement, and her recovery depends on later care. If it festers, amputation is not impossible.”
With a gasp, the old lady turned pale. She sank onto a stool, hands trembling.
“No wonder she hasn’t woken… such a terrible wound.” She began to weep, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. “She is our only granddaughter. How can we live if something happens to her?”
Athena hurried to comfort her. “Old Lady, please calm yourself. If Miss Porter regains consciousness and cooperates with treatment, I can save her hand.”
“Really?” The old lady stopped crying at once, gripping Athena in excitement. “If you cure her, we will owe you a great debt. Whatever terms you name, we will meet them.”
“You flatter me, Madam,” Athena answered gently.
She returned to the bedside and called softly, “Miss Porter, wake up. If you remain like this, your hand may really be beyond saving.”
Seeing no response, the old lady flustered like a headless chicken. Suddenly, she cried out, “Someone, bring a needle!”
Athena asked in confusion, “Madam, what are you doing?”
A maid placed a needle in the old woman’s hand. With pained resolve, she said, “For the sake of Kendra’s hand, she must endure some pain.”
She jabbed the needle hard into Kendra’s fingertip.
The room fell silent except for the faint wind outside. Kendra’s face twisted in pain. Her finger twitched, and slowly her eyes opened.
The old lady cried out joyfully, “You’re awake! Thank goodness, you finally woke up! Oh, you really gave your grandmother a fright!”
Kendra looked around in bewilderment. “Where am I?”
“Oh, my precious child, you are at home.” The old lady stamped her feet in anxious affection. “How could you be so foolish as to try to take your life? If you were gone, how would I live?"
She sobbed three times for every sentence, weeping until tears streamed.
She sat by Kendra’s bedside, weeping uncontrollably, her face streaked with tears.
Then she pointed hurriedly at Athena. “Only Her Highness can heal your hand. Obey her treatment. Those imperial physicians were useless. Otherwise, why would you still be unconscious?”
Listening to this, Kendra felt a deep sense of suffocation.
She had brought in imperial doctors only to cover…