Chapter 72
Athena’s expression wasn’t just making empty threats; she genuinely wanted Willow dead.
Eloise felt her heart being torn to pieces. She thought, ‘Is this truly the daughter I have carried for nine months? Athena used to be merely jealous of Willow, but she never actually tried to hurt her. After all, they grew up together and shared a true sisterly bond. But then Athena spiraled out of control, she poisoned Willow, schemed against her, doing everything she could to drive her to her death. I’ve never treated Athena unfairly. Whatever Willow had, Athena never lacked a single thing. Why is she still not content?’
Eloise looked at Willow, her eyes filled with disappointment. ‘This daughter of mine… there’s just no saving her anymore,’ she thought.
Henry’s face turned frosty with barely contained fury.
With just a few words from Athena, what was clearly an accident was twisted into Willow deliberately setting fire to the memorial hall.
And to make matters worse, the Osborne family was coming tomorrow for the engagement ceremony. He didn’t know how to explain this to them. They couldn’t possibly let Willow appear before everyone covered in wounds. That would be like announcing to the world that she was the one who burned down the Monson family’s memorial hall.
“On your knees!” Henry ground his teeth, his face livid with rage, and roared at Athena, “How dare you frame your own sister? After all this time, you still refuse to repent!”
Athena stood her ground, her eyes fearless, and shot back defiantly, “What did I do wrong? Didn’t Your Grace always preach that sisters should look out for each other? I was worried Willow might be afraid of the dark, so I specially brought her an oil lamp. Who could’ve known she’d end up causing such a disaster? When I kept my distance from her, you called it jealousy. But the one time I show her kindness, you accuse me of harming her. No matter what I do, it’s always wrong in your eyes, because in your hearts, I never truly mattered. So why did you even bother bringing me back into this family in the first place?”
Athena’s razor-sharp words struck Henry like a volley of daggers.
Henry was struck speechless. His lips quivered slightly as he tried to retort, but not a single word came out. He felt as if an immense boulder was crushing his chest, making it hard to even breathe.
Seeing Athena going too far, Nicolas rebuked sternly, “Athena, don’t cross the line. Even if our parents have made mistakes, they’re still the ones who gave you life and raised you. The debt of life is beyond measure. This you cannot deny.”
Athena exhaled slowly. “So this is how it is, the debt of life is above all else, so I deserve to be your pawn? You knew full well the McGee family was a living hell, yet you still pushed me in. Is this really how I’m supposed to repay you?”
Nicolas’s face froze in shock; he never expected Athena would lay everything bare like this. With his carefully constructed facade torn away, all the darkness he’d tried to hide was suddenly exposed to the harsh light, leaving him burning with shame.
He thought, ‘Sure, Athena’s marriage was arranged for the family’s interests, but it’s still true the McGee family is undeniably a prestigious match, isn’t it?’
Nicolas took a deep breath, trying to clear up Athena’s misunderstanding. “The McGee family isn’t some kind of hellhole. Even if Ferris were to meet an untimely end, you’d still have us. It would be best if you could have a child, but if not, we can have one adopted for you from the Monson family. That way, you’ll have someone to rely on in your old age and won’t be left all alone. And the McGee family’s fortune will still be yours, won’t it? Given your current circumstances, which noble house do you think would ever want you?”
Athena’s eyes widened in mock agreement as she nodded repeatedly. “Wow, Lord Nicolas, you really have everything planned out, don’t you? So, which one of your children are you planning to hand over for me to raise?”
Seeing that she seemed to have come around, Nicolas’s expression softened slightly. He said, “Of course, it would be my own son. This will strengthen the bond between our families.”
He already has a son, but for Athena’s sake, he would have Fiona bear another. If Fiona couldn’t conceive, there were always concubines to turn to. One way or another, a male heir would surely be born. Then he could simply have the boy adopted by Athena.
Athena let out a bitter laugh, her face twisted into a mocking smile. She shot back, “Does your wife even know about this brilliant plan of yours?”
“Her consent means nothing,” Nicolas said coldly, his expression turning icy, “In this house, my word is law.”
Nicolas ruled the household with an iron fist. Though Fiona held the title of lady of the house, her opinions carried no weight whatsoever. To put it bluntly, she was little more than a childbearing tool, expected to obey her husband’s every command, forbidden from having thoughts of her own.
Athena looked at Nicolas with utter contempt. She thought, “I truly feel sorry for Fiona, what a misfortune to be saddled with someone so selfish.”
Just then, Fiona was standing outside the door and happened to overhear these words. Her usually gentle eyes instantly widened in disbelief as she stared fixedly at Nicolas inside the room, a chill running up from her feet.
She thought, ‘For the sake of so-called benefits, he is actually planning to give away his own flesh and blood.’
Fiona stood rooted outside the door, her eyes brimming with tears. Torn between stepping in or turning away, she was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and injustice.
A flicker of surprise crossed Nicolas’s face at Fiona’s unexpected appearance, but his composure returned almost instantly.
Nicolas thought to himself, ‘Everything I’ve done is for the Monson family. Fiona has always been gentle and virtuous; she’ll understand.’
Her sudden appearance annoyed Nicolas. He felt that this was no place for his wife, especially not a lady of the household.
Nicolas frowned, his voice low and cold as he asked, “What are you doing here?”
Fiona forced back the tears in her eyes and replied in a soft, trembling voice, “Cedric isn’t feeling well. I was hoping you could come back and check on him.”
Nicolas never really cared about his children, but since this was his first-born, he paid a bit more attention. He grunted in acknowledgment and stood up. Before leaving, he turned back to Athena and added coldly, “Think carefully about what I’ve said. Both Father and Mother have your best interests at heart, yet you stubbornly refuse to appreciate it.”
Nicolas followed Fiona out.
Athena felt waves of nausea churning in her gut, acid rising sour in her throat.
She thought, ‘Where do they get this delusional confidence? Do they really think I’ll just obediently accept everything they’ve arranged for me, like some puppet on a string? Strengthen family ties through marriage between the two families? What a well-calculated scheme! Once Ferris is gone, I’ll just be their puppet mistress, and the entire McGee family will fall right into their hands. They keep claiming it’s all for my benefit, but every word reeks of calculation. Now it’s crystal clear who the real heartless monsters are.’
At this thought, Athena could no longer contain herself and burst into laughter, at first, just soft, bitter chuckles, but soon her laughter grew louder and wilder until tears streamed down her face.
Matthew watched her in disgust. He said, “She’s gone mad, completely mad… Don’t think acting crazy will get you out of this. Father, lock her up in the woodshed, now!”