Chapter 36

Desire burned in Michael’s eyes, so intense it felt like it might break free. Athena wasn’t a naive girl anymore; she could plan.

And right after that came the fury.

She thought, “What right does he have to humiliate me like this! Just because I once loved him–does that give him permission to stop all very feelings?”

Everything she’d held in hit a breaking point. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face, hard.

“You think I’m still the same Athena from three years ago?”

Smack.

The sharp sound rang out as Michael’s head jerked to the side.

His eyes were filled with disbelief. Athena, that Athena, who used to have nothing but love for him–had just hit him.

He slowly reached up to touch his stinging cheek, numb from the blow. He couldn’t wrap his head around it. How could all her warmth disappear overnight?

“Move,” Athena said, her voice cold–colder than he’d ever heard. But this time, it carried something else too: disgust.

That look in her eyes made something inside him clench. She hated him now. She didn’t chase after him anymore. She no longer smiled when he smiled or ached when he did. Athena didn’t want him anymore.

Michael’s throat tightened like it was stuffed with cotton. He’d never felt this lost. The thought of never again feeling Athena’s fierce love left an emptiness in his chest.

“I’m not as awful as you think…” he said, though even he didn’t sound convinced.

He thought, I haven’t actually done anything, have I? I’ve just thought about it. That doesn’t count… right?

Just then, a soft, trembling voice called out, “Athena? Are you in there?”

It was sweet and anxious, thick with unshed tears–like she might burst into sobs at any moment.

Athena raised an eyebrow and gave a cold smile. “Lord Osborne, aren’t you going to move? Your fiancé’s about to show.”

Michael stepped aside, dazed. Athena brushed past him without so much as a glance. “Don’t accept the proposal from the McGee family,” he blurted.

But she didn’t slow down. Didn’t even look back. She left him with just one final, frosty sentence: “What’s it got to do with you?”

As she stepped out of the garden, Willow was waiting outside, eyes red and brimming with tears. When she saw Athena, they reddened even more.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask something, but no words came. All she could do was let the tears fall silently, one by one, as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice in the world.

Behind her stood several noble young ladies. Seeing Willow like this, they immediately jumped to her defense. “Athena, who were you just with in there?”

They probably knew it was Michael in the garden, but none of them dared confront him directly. So they took it out on Athena instead.

Willow stood there pitifully, not saying a word. She didn’t need to–others were all too eager to speak for her.

“I saw it clearly,” said Viola Maynard, daughter of the Maynard family. “Athena went into the garden right after Lord Michael! How shameless can you be, seducing your own sister’s fiancé?”

Viola had always been close with Willow, but she had more mouth than sense. Saying something like that here… Osborne Family.

Not that she seemed to care. In fact, she looked almost smug. She’d never liked Athena anyway. In her eyes, someone like Athena had no business being near the future lady of the Osborne family.

Faced with their accusations, Athena looked calmly at Viola. “If you’re going to run your mouth, at least back it up. Which eye of yours saw me attack Lord Osborne?”

“I saw it with my own two eyes!” Viola jabbed a finger at her face, furious. “You’re already ruined–everyone knows you lost your innocence back in the military camp. And now you’re going after Michael? You–”

Before Viola could finish her sentence, Athena slapped her hard.

Viola let out a shriek, clutching her face. She opened her mouth to curse, but froze when she saw the look on Athena’s face–colder than ice.

Her eyes gleamed like blades breaking through the surface. “Lady Viola, are you slandering me and Lord Osborne in hopes of sabotaging the engagement between the Osborne and Monson families? You may not be afraid of offending me, but aren’t you worried about crossing the McGee family!”

Viola went rigid. “What does Ray have to do with this?”

Willow quickly tugged on her sleeve and gave her a meaningful look. “Viola, believe in Athena. She’d never do anything inappropriate with Michael. Ray has already proposed marriage.”

“What?” Fear flickered across Viola’s face. Her voice shrank to a whisper. “…I didn’t know.”

Willow turned to Athena with a soft smile. “Please don’t take offense, Athena. Viola didn’t mean any harm. I trust you too.”

Athena gave a cold smile. “I couldn’t care less whether you believe me or not. If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and spread today’s events all over Pidence City. Let’s see whose name really gets dragged through the mud.”

Her words drained the color from Willow’s face. She lowered her head, blinking hard to hold back tears. “You’ve misunderstood me, Athena. I never thought that way.”

“Whether you did or not… you know the truth better than anyone.” Athena’s gaze felt sharp enough to pierce flesh. Willow trembled, not daring to lift her head.

Viola was still reeling, though a trace of smugness had returned to her face. “So… Ray actually proposed to you?”

Athena caught the mockery in her voice but didn’t respond. Just then, a familiar voice called from behind. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere.”

Eloise approached in a hurry, cutting off Athena’s thoughts. Athena could only push aside her unease.

Eloise came up and linked arms with her warmly. “Come along. I’m taking you to the front hall to greet a guest.”

Athena was about to refuse when Eloise leaned in and whispered, “Gale McGee is here. She asked to meet you.”

Athena had no choice. A request from Gale wasn’t something she could turn down. She followed Eloise without another word.

Behind them, Viola turned to Willow, full of indignation. “Why are you so afraid of her? You’re going to be the future lady of the Osborne family! She’s marrying into the McGee family–she won’t have it easy. One day she might be the one begging you for help!”

“Viola…” Willow quickly cut her off, glancing nervously around. “Don’t say that. Please.”

Realizing she’d overstepped, Viola clamped her mouth shut–but the defiance on her face lingered. She thought, “What’s so great about Athena, anyway? She dares act all high and mighty?”

Still, the more she thought about Athena’s future, the more pleased she felt. Just wait, the best is yet to come.

Naturally, someone like Gale wouldn’t sit among the other noblewomen.

Eloise brought Athena to the main reception hall, which had already been cleared of other guests. The room was quiet, filled with the faint aroma of expensive tea.

Gale sat upright in a carved wooden chair, her posture elegant and composed.

She wore a luxurious brocade gown of sapphire silk embroidered with silver patterns, making her look both regal and refined, her temples styled high and secured with a golden crown, radiating wealth and authority.

Eloise led Athena into the room, and both women offered formal greetings.

Gale lifted her gaze lazily, looking Athena over with a cool, appraising eye. Her tone was clipped and dismissive. “So, you’re Athena.”

Athena heard the disdain in her voice and lowered her head slightly. “Yes, Your Highness.”

But inwardly, she was puzzled. If the McGee family had proposed, they must’ve known her history. Gale had to have approved the match. She wondered, “Why is she looking at me now like I am something that doesn’t quite pass inspection?”