The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 261

Chapter 261

Willow’s request gave Michael pause, but recalling it was for his mother, he nodded in agreement.

With her goal achieved, Willow flashed a satisfied smile at Michael.

‘Not a chance I’m letting those two rekindle their old flame,‘ Willow vowed to herself.

Kelsey was gravely ill, so Michael and Willow rushed out immediately.

In no time, they arrived at Athena’s manor.

The attendant stepped forward and knocked. After a long wait, the door finally creaked open, and Lance’s head peeked out cautiously.

“Lord Osborne and Lady Willow request to see Viscountess Athena,” the attendant announced with forced politeness.

The entire household knew about Athena’s plight.

They all knew Michael had betrayed her.

The Osborne family went back on their word and shamelessly married Willow instead.

Though Athena never uttered a complaint, the household had already branded the Osbornes as enemies.

‘What on earth are Michael and Willow doing here together?‘ Lance couldn’t help but wonder, his resentment simmering.

‘Are they here to flaunt their happiness, or just to spite Athena?‘

Lance’s resentment reached its boiling point, but his lowly status as a servant kept him from acting out.

With a perfunctory smile that held no real respect, he said, “Viscountess Athena isn’t at home.”

Then he immediately moved to shut the door.

Michael’s attendant frowned. He blocked the door with his arm, urgency in his voice as he said, “This is a matter of life and death. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”

The Osborne family’s power meant even their servants acted superior.

Their tone was devoid of courtesy whenever they spoke.

The door was forced open. Lance scowled and snapped, “I already told you–Viscountess Athena isn’t home. Are you seriously trying to barge in?”

Lance seethed with resentment. ‘If Jessa were here,’ he thought, ‘these guys wouldn’t be worth a damn!’

The attendant was about to speak when Michael cut in, “Mind your manners.”

He alighted from the carriage and approached Lance. “I have urgent business with Viscountess Athena. Kindly inform her of my visit,”

he said.

As he spoke, he offered a piece of gold, equivalent to half a year’s wages for an ordinary servant.

This generous gesture made it clear just how lavish Michael could be.

However, Lance didn’t even spare the gold a glance, utterly unfazed. He stated firmly, “Viscountess Athena truly isn’t home, Lord Osborne. Please come another day.”

‘A piece of gold might be a fortune to others, but to me, it pales in comparison to Viscountess Athena’s generosity, Lance thought.

Athena paid them double what other families did, and even bought land so they could grow vegetables, raise fish, and keep poultry.

Aside from what the manor needed, the rest of the money was theirs to keep and use as they pleased.

Lance thought, ‘With a lady this good, I wouldn’t trade her for all the gold in the world. To think a piece of gold could buy my loyalty? In your dreams!‘

Michael’s brows furrowed slightly as he was about to speak, but the door slammed shut before he could utter a word.

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Chapter 261

“How insolent! A mere gatekeeper dares disrespect Lord Osborne!” The attendant seethed, raising his foot to kick the door, but Michael snapped sharply, “Back off.”

The attendant looked at Michael, bewildered. “My Lord, this is utterly outrageous! Viscountess Athena is clearly at home, yet they deliberately claim she’s not. Are they just trying to make a fool of you?”

Michael had verified that Athena was indeed at home.

‘But what good would that do?‘ he thought. ‘If she doesn’t want to see me, even if I force my way in, I still won’t be able to get her medicine.’

He stood at the door, his voice low and resolute. “If Viscountess Athena refuses to see me, then I will wait right here.”

Michael stood before Athena’s door, his expression one of profound earnestness.

Willow sat in the carriage, seething with rage. ‘What kind of farce is this?‘ she fumed. ‘He’s the Marquis of Somers–my husband! If anyone saw him standing outside Athena’s door like some lovesick fool, they’d think he’s just begging for humiliation!

Willow gritted her teeth in frustration, stepped out of the carriage, and approached Michael. Suppressing her anger, she urged, “Michael, if Athena refuses to see you, why must you degrade yourself like this?”

Only Athena can cure Mother’s illness. What does it matter if I wait a little longer?” Michael said, his voice calm and steady, without a trace of impatience:

His eyes were gentle, radiating quiet determination and showing he was utterly willing.

Willow was fuming. ‘He’s already this besotted just by looking at Athena’s manor,’ she thought bitterly. ‘If he actually saw her, she’d have him wrapped around her finger in no time.

“Michael,” Willow said earnestly, “but Athena is now Mrs. Cavendish. Your standing here will only invite gossip. No one will care that you’re here to seek medicine for your mother. They’ll only say you’re coveting Mrs. Cavendish.”

Michael’s expression wavered, his jaw clenched in conflict. “But Mother’s illness won’t wait.”

Torn between troubling Athena and saving Kelsey, he stood paralyzed by the dilemma.

Seeing he was convinced, Willow eagerly volunteered, “Michael, let me do this for you. After all, Athena and I are sisters–if anyone sees me, it won’t raise eyebrows. At worst, I might have to endure a few snide remarks.”

“Willow,” Michael said, his expression softening with emotion. “Wouldn’t that be asking too much of you?”

Willow met his gaze, her voice steady. “If it means saving my mother–in–law, I’m willing to endure any hardship.”

Willow’s answer tugged at Michael’s heartstrings, making him wonder if he’d been too harsh on her lately.

Just then, a mounted attendant galloped over, his face full of urgency. Reining in his horse, he called out breathlessly to Michael, “My Lord, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace at once!”

At the words “to the palace,” Michael’s stomach clenched with dread.

Before, every trip to the palace meant rewards and honors, but now it was nothing but reprimands and punishment.

Michael thought to himself, ‘Being called in at a time like this? That can’t mean anything good.

‘Could it be about those rumors?‘

Michael didn’t dare delay. He briefly instructed Willow, “Athena is still mad, so it’s understandable she doesn’t want to see us. Willow, I’m sorry you have to endure this slight. Please wait here a bit longer. We’ll decide what to do after I return from the palace.”

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