Chapter 78

Athena stepped into the Snowdrop Wing, her steps faltering for a moment.

Siena knelt trembling in the middle of the courtyard, her body shaking like a leaf. The instant she spotted Athena, Siena jerked her head up in fright, her eyes brimming with terror and tears. "Miss," she wailed, "I was wrong! I truly know how wrong I was! I swear I’ll never try to get above my station again!"

Siena had witnessed Aliza’s tragic fate firsthand, and she knew in her heart that she too would likely meet the same end. Siena had finally given up on her dreams of climbing the social ladder. Eloise’s heartlessness finally made Siena realize that Aliza’s fate today would be her own tomorrow.

After saying something like that, she feared she’d be sent back to Eloise. Siena desperately didn’t want to go back. She shuffled forward on her knees and pleaded with Athena, "Miss Monson, I beg you, please, don’t send me away!"

'If I go back to Eloise, I’m as good as dead,' she thought in terror.

Athena barely spared Siena a cold, indifferent glance before turning and walking straight back into her chamber.

"Miss!" Siena cried out desperately in the courtyard.

Marquita Huynh spoke calmly, though her gaze was razor-sharp. "Miss Monson gave you chances, but you squandered them all. Now that you’re at death’s door, you suddenly remember you’re her servant. Don’t you think it’s a bit too late for that?"

Terrified into silence, Siena’s body shook violently, curling into a heap. The words sent a chill down Siena’s spine.

Siena’s body trembled slightly at the thought, 'If they find out I tried to seduce Mr. Monson, they’ll beat me to death with clubs.' Aliza’s fate was a grim warning for Siena.

At this thought, Siena crawled forward on her knees, desperately clutching at Marquita’s skirt. With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, "Please, Marquita, put in a good word for me! If Miss spares my life, I swear I’ll be loyal to her till death and never dare to betray her again!"

Marquita glanced at Athena through the window. Athena responded with a subtle nod of approval.

Marquita turned to Siena and said sternly, "Miss wants you inside for questioning. Choose your words carefully. Whatever she asks, answer honestly. If you dare conceal anything, not even God himself could save you.”

"Yes, Marquita, I swear I won’t hide anything anymore. I’ll tell you everything I know!" Siena blurted out, her voice trembling with desperation. Marquita gave a slight nod, motioning for her to enter.

Siena entered the room and immediately fell to Athena’s feet. Prostrate on the ground, her body trembling, she whispered, "Miss…"

Athena sat in the armchair with an icy expression. "Where are Thalia and Macy?"

The estate buzzed with rumors that the two of them had left to get married, but Athena didn’t believe a single word. Besides, she had people make discreet inquiries but found no trace of where Thalia or Macy were supposedly married off to.

Chapter 78

'They lied to me,' Athena thought, the realization hitting her hard.

Athena’s piercing gaze burned into Siena, as if trying to bore two holes through her. Siena’s body trembled, her eyes darting nervously. She stammered, "Miss… they… they got married."

"Still lying to me?" Athena leaned back in her chair, her voice icy as she commanded to those outside, "Drag her out."

Siena shrieked in terror as the old maids outside moved to drag her away. "Miss, I’ll tell you everything, please! Thalia and Macy didn’t get married. They were sold off!"

With those words, Siena completely lost control. Overwhelmed by emotion, she broke down into uncontrollable sobs, tears streaming down her face.

Athena’s fist on the table tightened slightly as she asked in a low, cold voice, "Where were they sold off to?"

'I should have known,' she thought bitterly. If even she could barely survive in this estate, there could not possibly be a place for those two maids.

With a trembling sob, Siena replied, "Miss, I truly don’t know! All I know is they were sold off…"

Athena’s face remained icy as she caught Siena’s evasive gaze.

'She’s hiding something,' Athena thought, noticing how Siena avoided her gaze.

Athena steadied herself and asked coldly, "How exactly did Thalia and Macy leave the estate? Were they punished for some mistake, or was there another reason?"

Three years ago, Thalia and Macy had just turned sixteen, far too young to be sent away from the estate under normal circumstances. That left only one possibility: they must have committed some offense and been banished from the estate.

'But what on earth could Thalia and Macy have done to end up being sold like that?' Athena thought anxiously.

Athena’s icy gaze bore into Siena, her need for answers urgent and unmistakable. Siena was too terrified to even meet Athena’s eyes, bowing her head even lower in fear. No matter how persistently Athena pressed her, Siena remained silent.

She would rather return to Eloise’s quarters than reveal why Thalia and Macy were sold. She clearly knew that revealing the truth about why Thalia and Macy were sold would mean certain death and might even implicate her entire family.

Athena realized she wouldn’t get any more answers. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she ordered Marquita to take Siena back to Eloise’s quarters.

After that, Athena just sat in the chair, staring blankly into space. Thalia and Macy had always been utterly devoted to her.

'No matter what, I will find them,' Athena vowed silently.

But in the Monson family, she had no allies to turn to. Even if she confronted Eloise now, she would never tell her the truth.

Athena propped her forehead on her hand, deep in thought for what felt like ages. Then, all at once, someone popped into her mind, someone who might be able to help.

'Ferris wields real power. If he’s willing to help, finding Thalia and Macy would be child’s play,' Athena thought.

Athena made up her mind without hesitation. Turning to Trina, she commanded, "Come with me, we’re leaving the estate."

Chapter 78

Trina glanced up at the sky, dusk was already settling in.

"Miss, leaving the estate at this hour might anger Henry. With all the chaos in the estate today, this really isn’t the time to go looking for trouble," Trina warned.

Trina advised gently, "Miss, perhaps we should wait until tomorrow?"

Athena’s brow furrowed with urgency. Understanding Trina’s concern, she insisted, "Let’s slip out through the servants’ gate."

Seeing Athena was determined, Trina gave up trying to talk her out of it. Grabbing a cloak, Trina followed closely behind Athena as they slipped out through the servants’ gate.

Athena arrived at the McGee family by carriage, where Trina went ahead to announce their arrival at the gates. An uneasy look crossed the gatekeeper’s face as he replied, "My deepest apologies, but Mr. McGee has taken ill these past few days and truly cannot receive visitors at present."

"Not feeling well?" Athena froze in surprise. "Wasn’t he perfectly fine just the other day?"

'How did he suddenly fall so ill?' Athena wondered in shock.

But the gatekeeper didn’t seem to be lying, his face was full of anxiety as he explained, "Ever since he came back that night, he hasn’t been well. These past few days, he hasn’t even been able to get out of bed."

Athena thought, 'No wonder Ferris’s been so quiet these past few days. Turns out he’s been sick.'

After all, Athena and Ferris had grown up together since childhood. Now that she knew he was sick, she couldn’t just pretend not to hear it.

"I insist on paying my respects to Mr. McGee," Athena said to the gatekeeper.

"But…" The gatekeeper still hesitated. Trina slipped him a silver coin and said quietly, "Just go deliver the message. Whether he wants to see us or not, that’s their decision."

Tempted by the silver, the gatekeeper risked reprimand to deliver the message.

At this moment, Gale sat by Ferris’s bedside with a weary expression, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. Ever since that night when he returned to the mansion, Ferris’s condition had taken a turn for the worse. He had been bedridden ever since.

Gale had hoped Athena would visit, but Ferris adamantly refused. When she brought it up too often, he flew into a rage, so Gale didn’t dare mention it again.

A handmaiden entered quietly from the outer room, leaned in, and whispered in Gale’s ear. Her eyes lit up in surprise. "What brings her here?"

The handmaiden shook her head, indicating she didn’t know either. Whether Athena’s concern was genuine or just for show, the mere fact that she cared was enough.

Lately, Gale couldn’t help but notice that her son seemed quite taken with Athena. Just hearing he’d get to go to the festival with her had him beaming with childlike delight.

Gale huffed softly. "Well, at least she still has some decency. Have her brought in."