Chapter 64

The moment she received the news, Athena hurried toward Starling House, anxiety gnawing at her.

By the time she arrived, she saw Starling House already packed, layer upon layer with people. Eloise and Willow stood side by side, their eyes swollen and red from crying as they dabbed at the tears streaming down their cheeks with handkerchiefs.

Inside, Henry paced anxiously back and forth, his face etched with worry. The three brothers, usually so relaxed, now wore grim expressions. Even Joseph, who was always the wild one, had shed his usual nonchalance and was huddled in the corner, as timid as a mouse.

The room was heavy with silence, every face shadowed by worry. Athena’s heart clenched at the sight. She quickened her pace and hurried inside.

Seeing Athena arrive, Gwen Denison hurried forward and called out in a trembling voice, “Miss Monson…”

But just as the words left her lips, the rest caught in Gwen’s throat as if something had lodged there, leaving her unable to say another word.

“What’s going on?” Athena demanded, forcing herself to sound steady despite the panic rising inside her, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. Upon closer inspection, one could see Athena’s hands trembling slightly.

Athena thought anxiously, “Just yesterday, Grandmother was lively and chatting with me about household matters. How could she have suddenly collapsed today?”

Gwen finally managed to steady herself and, sobbing, said, “Lucky is missing. I searched the whole mansion but couldn’t find him. I meant to keep it from Mrs. Monson, but she seemed to sense something was wrong. She just asked where Lucky was, and when I realized I couldn’t hide it anymore, I stayed silent… Then she suddenly fainted…”

“Lucky is Grandmother’s darling, she cradles him in her arms every day and even has Yvette specially look after him. How could such a little dog just vanish?” Athena’s tone turned cold and sharp as her anxiety made her harsher with Gwen.

Gwen, tears streaming down her face, choked out, “It’s all this old servant’s fault. This morning, Yvette took Lucky for a walk in the garden, but somehow he suddenly vanished. We’ve searched everywhere, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

Athena took a deep breath, silently telling herself, ‘Stay calm, stay calm.’ “Grandmother fainted from distress. The immediate priority is to find Lucky. Once we do, she’ll recover on her own.”

“Where’s Yvette?” Athena demanded anxiously.

Yvette Andrus, with red-rimmed eyes, hurried forward and said respectfully, “Yes, Miss?”

Athena stepped closer and demanded, “Where exactly did Lucky go missing, and who first noticed his disappearance?”

Yvette, her round face pale with fright, was trembling uncontrollably as she stammered, “It was by the rock garden in the backyard where Lucky went missing. Lady Willow was there too. When she heard me calling for Lucky, she helped me look for him.”

Athena shot Willow a frosty glare. Though she didn’t want to assume the worst of her, Athena couldn’t help but think, ‘Willow’s reputation in my mind is already beyond redemption.’

Athena’s piercing gaze made Willow flinch, her whole body trembling as she stammered, her voice choked with fear and grievance, “Athena, why are you looking at me like that? I was just as worried when Lucky went missing, I even sent people to help look for him…” Her voice was thin and fragile, as if she had suffered some grave injustice. Willow’s words caught in her throat as tears cascaded down her cheeks, falling like unstrung pearls.

Eloise instinctively shielded Willow behind her, shooting Athena a displeased look. “Athena,” she said firmly, “I can vouch for her, Willow did help with the search.”

Athena couldn’t be bothered with the two of them. Finding Lucky was all that mattered.

Athena immediately ordered, “Seal off both the front and back gates. Everyone, search for Lucky, leave no stone unturned!”

Lucky was just a small dog, so there was absolutely no way he could have gotten out through the main gate. Athena thought firmly, ‘Lucky must still be somewhere in the mansion.’ “Maybe it’s already hurt, maybe even barely hanging on."

“If Lucky was all right, he would have come running the moment Yvette called him.”

Nicolas shot Athena a disapproving look as he saw her targeting Willow again. “Athena,” he said, “we’re all worried about Grandmother after she fainted. Stop blaming everything on Willow, she’s not who you think she is.”

Matthew scoffed, his face full of disdain. “Don’t act like you’re the only one who cares about Grandmother.”

Joseph, too, pursed his lips but kept quiet. The welts from his last beating still ached faintly. Knowing how much Margaret favored Athena, Joseph didn’t dare talk back to her now.

Too anxious to find Lucky, Athena shot her siblings a cold glare and snapped, “If I find out anyone used dirty tricks to harm Lucky and caused Grandmother to faint, I won’t let them get away with it.”

Everyone knew exactly who she meant.

With that, Athena rushed off to find Lucky.

Willow’s sobs grew even louder as she threw herself into Eloise’s embrace, gasping for breath between sobs. Eloise quickly soothed her in a gentle voice. “There, there, my dear, don’t cry. Mother’s here now, no one would dare harm you.”

The sound of Eloise and Willow’s weeping filled Henry with impatience, but when he recalled Athena’s threatening words, his expression darkened even further.

“How outrageous! Who does she think she’s threatening?” Henry bellowed, slamming his palm heavily on the table. Margaret was already enough to worry about, and now the rest of the household just wouldn’t give him a moment’s peace. Especially that icy glare Athena just shot them, it was as if she could tear everyone in the room to shreds.

Nicolas’s face was grim, but remembering that Margaret was still ill, he held his tongue. Turning to Matthew and Joseph, he said, “Let’s join the search.”

The three brothers also stood up and headed outside.

Seeing the three of them leave, Willow stammered between sobs, "I'll go too. Otherwise, Athena will pick on me again." Willow pulled herself out of Eloise’s embrace and started toward the door, but had barely taken two steps when a violent coughing fit seized her. She looked so fragile, as if she could drop dead any second.

Eloise’s eyes were full of concern as she gently coaxed, “You’re in poor health, and it’s windy outside. Besides, you’ve already helped search for Lucky, your concern is enough, Grandmother won’t blame you.”

Willow coughed violently, her face flushing crimson as tears sprang to her eyes.

Willow’s fragile, sickly beauty made Henry’s heart ache. With a gentle sigh, he said, “Your help isn’t needed. Just focus on getting better."

“But…” Fear filled Willow’s eyes, making Eloise’s heart ache. She gently wiped away Willow’s tears with a handkerchief and reassured her, "She's just making empty threats, she wouldn't dare do anything to you, sweetheart."

Henry’s frown deepened at the sight. He thought, ‘Athena is becoming utterly outrageous! Just look at how terrified she’s made poor Willow! Before Athena returned to the mansion, Willow used to be as lively as a little bird. When has she ever looked so afraid!’

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Henry turned his frustration on Eloise. “Finalize the marriage with the McGee family as soon as possible. I can’t stand having Athena around any longer. She’ll be the death of me!”

Eloise’s eyes reddened with unshed tears. She gave a small, resigned nod. “Understood.”

She thought, ‘I truly want to be fair to everyone, but every single thing Athena does just breaks my heart.’

“Perhaps once she’s wed, the bitterness in her heart will finally ease a little."