The commotion was so intense that it immediately alerted Gale.
Flustered, Gale sent her maid to inquire. The maid soon returned and reported, “Your Highness, Lady Willow of the Monson family is in trouble”
“What happened to her?” Gale asked, frowning in confusion.
The maid, eyes wide with panic, stammered to Gale, “Your Highness, they say Lady Athena and Lady Willow were in the hot spring together, but somehow Lady Willow got hurt. When they found her, blood was still gushing from her chest, and she was already gone.”
Gale gasped sharply, “She’s dead?”
Gale’s scalp tingled, and for some reason, Athena suddenly popped into her mind.
Gale thought, ‘Athena was the one who insisted I come to the hot spring.
‘Then Willow tagged along too.
‘It all seems too deliberate to be a coincidence.
‘Could it be that Athena set this whole thing up on purpose?‘
At this realization, Gale broke out in a cold sweat.
Gale never expected that someone as gentle–tempered as Athena could be so utterly ruthless when she got serious.
Yet now, Gale couldn’t help but think, ‘I actually admire Athena.
‘The entire Monson family must be blind and heartless, protecting an adopted daughter while banishing their own flesh and blood!
‘If it were me, I’d have fought them tooth and nail long ago.
‘How could I ever let that adopted daughter usurp my rightful place and enjoy privileges that should be mine?‘
After reaching this realization, Gale composed herself and ordered, “Secure the gates. No one enters without my permission.”
They came with their guards.
If Nicolas insisted on seeking justice for Willow, Gale would undoubtedly stand by Athena.
Gale thought, ‘Not because she’s Ferris’s beloved, but purely for Athena’s sheer grit.!
The maid acknowledged and quickly went to relay the order.
Just then, Athena returned.
Gale hurried forward two steps, scanning Athena up and down before asking softly, “Are you hurt?”
Her words sent a wave of warmth through Athena’s heart.
Gale didn’t ask why she’d done it, only whether Athena was hurt.
This unreserved favoritism filled Athena with a long–lost warmth she hadn’t felt in years.
Meeting Gale’s anxious,gaze, Athena slowly shook her head.
Like a triumphant child returning from battle, Athena’s eyes sparkled with pride as she declared to Gale, “Not a scratch on me,”
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Chapter 177
Gale scrutinized Athena once again. Only after confirming there were no signs of injury did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
The maid had already closed the door and left. Gale pulled Athena down to sit beside her and let out a sigh of relief. “You silly child, why didn’t you tell me what you were up to? If you wanted to deal with Willow, you could’ve just asked me for help, no need to get your own hands dirty”
Athena’s eyes welled up with emotion as she looked gratefully at Gale, her voice resolute. “Macy and Thalia weren’t just anyone. They were like my family. Willow took their lives. How could I possibly let her go unpunished? Only by killing her with my own hands can I truly avenge them.”
Besides, Macy and Thalia were brutally murdered by Willow. If Athena didn’t make her pay for this, she would never find peace for the rest of her life,
Gale’s heart pounded as she kept patting her chest, clicking her tongue in disbelief. “That nearly scared me out of my wits,” she said, “But don’t worry, even if they come after you, I will protect you.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Athena said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Somehow, without either realizing it, Gale and Athena had grown even closer.
At that moment, even though they weren’t officially family, Gale and Athena were closer than any mother–in–law and daughter–in–law could ever be
Gale’s unwavering protection warmed Athena’s heart.
Athena absentmindedly traced the rim of her cup with her pale fingertips, deep in thought. “I stabbed her right in the heart, and she was left soaking in the water for so long. There’s no way she survived,” she mused.
Gale thought, ‘This girl kills without a second thought, so ruthless. But perhaps this is for the best, I’ve always been too indecisive myself, lacking that kind of iron will.
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