Chapter 49

Athena wasn’t genuinely seeking advice from Margaret; she simply felt a pang of guilt.

Athena thought, ‘Today’s incident has troubled Margaret; no wonder she’s upset. I should find ways to lift her spirits.’

To her surprise, Margaret took it seriously and advised, “Everyone has their Achilles heel. When someone pokes at yours, strike at theirs. Violence is the most useless and inferior way. Sure, it might feel good in the moment, but all it does is cause a little pain and no real harm.”

Margaret smiled and said, “If I were you, I wouldn’t be so direct. Instead, I’d redirect the conflict to your father, have him pressure Matthew, and through him, discipline Ferris. There’s no need to get your own hands dirty when you can let others do the work for you.”

Athena’s eyes lit up with sudden realization, admiration written all over her face. Looking at her, she said, “Just like what you did just now, Grandma!”

“Your father cares most about his reputation, my girl. How could you forget?” Margaret chuckled softly, as if amused by Athena’s naivety.

Athena thought, “So that’s what Grandma meant. If I pressure Henry like she did, I can walk away clean.”

“Margaret is right. I really am too naive. Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother,” Athena said, performing a deep curtsy to Margaret.

Margaret quickly helped her up, and the two slowly walked along the covered walkway. With Athena’s heart now at ease, even the scenery around them seemed to bloom with new beauty.

Athena felt a weight lift from her heart, her mood suddenly much lighter. But one question still lingered in her mind, refusing to go away.

Athena couldn’t hold it in any longer. She gnawed at her lip hesitantly.

Noticing her uncertainty, Margaret smiled gently and said, “Is there something else on your mind, child? Go ahead and ask me anything.”

“Grandma, why are you so kind to me?” Logically, since she wasn’t raised under Margaret’s care, Margaret should have little affection for her.

But ever since Athena returned to the manor, Margaret has treated her with nothing but warmth and kindness.

Although she was raised outside the family, Margaret never showed Athena any estrangement. She was the only one in this household who truly gave her warmth.

Athena resolved, “I must cure Grandmother’s illness. May she live a long and healthy life.”

Margaret turned back with a gentle smile, holding Athena’s hand and giving it an emphatic pat. “You silly girl, asking such a question again. You’re the blood of the Monson family. Though I’m old, I’m not senile yet. Who else should I be good to if not my own granddaughter?”

Athena’s tears fell abruptly. Even Grandmother understands this simple truth, yet Father and Mother remain oblivious, she thought bitterly.

Margaret gently wiped away Athena’s tears and then said, “Athena, if you don’t want to marry into the McGee family, I will turn down the proposal for you.”

Margaret truly cared about Athena and sincerely hoped she would have a happy and secure future.

Athena thought to herself, “Even if Grandmother turns down the McGee family’s proposal for me, there’ll always be others.

Rather than rejecting the marriage outright, I might as well use this marriage proposal as a temporary shield. Once Grandmother recovers, I’ll find a way to break free.”

Besides, I can pretty much guess what’s going on with Ferris.

Athena turned to Margaret and said, “Grandmother, thank you for your kindness. As for the marriage with the young lord, I’d like to keep my options open for now.”

Margaret raised her brows in surprise and looked at her. “Athena, be honest with me, do you really not like that boy Michael anymore?”

Margaret had always been well aware of how Athena felt about Michael.

Ever since she was thirteen, her heart belonged to Michael.

Athena was like Michael’s shadow, following him wherever he went.

In other words, Athena had poured all her youthful passion into Michael.

He was the light that brightened her youth.

A wave of bitterness welled up in Athena’s heart, but it soon faded away, leaving her feeling at ease.

She gave Margaret a gentle, sincere smile. “Those were just silly things I did when I was young and foolish. Now that I’ve grown up, I can’t act like a lovesick girl anymore. Besides, Ferris isn’t so bad either…”

“Are you really over him?” Grandmother asked skeptically.

Athena gave a firm nod. “I don’t like him anymore. I’ve long since moved on.”

Not far away, Michael’s smile froze as his heart constricted violently, leaving him breathless.

He thought, ‘What did she just say?

Athena actually said she’s already moved on? I knew this was coming, so why does it still hurt so damn much?

Who does she think she is, just moving on so easily?’

His expression darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes.

“Athena, you heartless wretch,” Michael thought bitterly.

An hour later, as Athena stepped out of Margaret’s courtyard, she immediately spotted Michael standing nearby.

He stood beneath the sycamore tree, his face livid.

The moment Athena saw him, her first instinct was to flee.

She spun around to leave, but Michael was faster; he stepped right in front of her, blocking her path.

“Athena,” he called softly, a hint of hurt in his voice.

This left Athena puzzled. “What exactly is Michael feeling wronged about?

Besides, he shouldn’t be looking at me with that expression.”

Athena fixed him with a cold stare. “Lord Osborne, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”

As Athena stepped forward, Michael stood his ground, refusing to yield. Barely three paces separated them.

Athena stepped forward again, closing the gap even further.

She was so close to Michael that she could see every pore on his face and the torment swirling in his pupils.

Michael’s burning gaze stung Athena’s eyes. She instinctively stepped back to put some distance between them, only for him to step forward, closing the gap again.

Athena’s anger flared. She snapped coldly, “Michael, what the hell do you want?”

He suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice laced with fury as he demanded, “Athena, are you really this naive? How could you not see that someone of Ferris’s noble lineage would ever stoop to notice someone like you?”

Before he could continue, Athena cut in sharply. “Exactly. A ruined woman like me deserves nothing better than some lowly peddler to waste away my days with. No need for Your Lordship to come all the way here just to tell me.

I’m sick and tired of hearing this kind of crap.”

Michael’s brows furrowed. “Who said you’re a ruined woman?”

Athena’s lips curled in derision. “Lord Osborne, stop lying to yourself. Do you really think I could emerge unscathed from a place like the military camp? You know damn well what happened, so quit pretending in front of me.”

Athena stared at Michael and demanded, “Can you honestly say you never once looked at me with disgust after I came back?”

Athena’s mocking smile made Michael choke on his words. Seeing his hesitation, her smile only grew sharper. “Do you remember what you said when you brought me back?” she pressed, her tone icy.

Michael was momentarily dazed.

“Didn’t you call me filthy back then?” Athena sneered, her voice dripping with mock courtesy.

Her mocking smile stabbed deep into Michael’s eyes.

Almost without thinking, he blurted out, “I just wanted you to be nice to me like before, to smile at me, to follow me around…”

But his feeble explanation lacked conviction and failed to sway Athena.

Athena’s smile froze, the disgust welling up in her eyes so strong it nearly made Michael recoil. “So that’s it?

You used such humiliating words just to provoke me?”

She reached out, grabbed him by the collar, and spat out each word through clenched teeth, “How are you any different from those bastards in the military camp? You’re all the same filthy breed.”