The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Chapter 262

Willow’s heart stirred. She thought it was a brilliant idea.

.

She didn’t even have to show her face, and Athena would be left holding the bag.

And she would be praised for her filial devotion.

But if Athena stubbornly refused to meet and something happened to Kelsey, she’d be torn to shreds by public opinion.

Willow’s brow furrowed slightly as she pretended to hesitate. “Isn’t this a bit too much?” she said.

The unspoken truth was, she actually wanted to do it–she just had to put on a show.

“Lady Willow, you go to such lengths for Kelsey’s illness–that’s true filial devotion. Who would dare say otherwise?” Nona declared, bursting with pride.

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Given her lowly status, playing the victim card was the only way to get Michael’s attention. What was a little physical suffering compared to that?

Willow gave a slight nod, pressing a hand to her forehead as her body swayed dramatically, putting on a perfect show of near–fainting.

Nona rushed forward to steady her, exclaiming, “Lady Willow, what’s wrong? Please don’t scare me like this.”

“I… I’m fine,” Willow replied feebly, her delicate frame teetering dangerously, as if she might collapse at any moment.

Nona shrieked at the top of her lungs, “How could you be okay? Lady Willow, your leg injury still hasn’t healed. After caring for Lady Osborne day and night, how could your body possibly endure it? Even if the Viscountess strikes me down today, I must beg for an audience.”

With that, Nona darted up the steps and dropped to her knees outside the main gate.

Kneeing, Nona cried out in a piercing voice, “Please, Viscountess, have mercy! Save Lady Willow, I beg you! Please, Viscountess, have mercy! Save Lady Willow!”

Have to admit, Nona’s victim–card strategy worked brilliantly.

The sight of the injured Willow, coming to beg for medicine with her loyal maid in tow–their pitiful act drew a flood of sympathetic glances.

A bystander, unaware of the truth, remarked, “How filial Lady Willow is, coming all this way herself to seek medicine for her mother–in- law, Kelsey. For such devotion, the Viscountess really ought to come out and meet her.”

Another chimed in, “Exactly. Just look at how frail Lady Willow appears–it’s truly heartbreaking.”

“To personally plead for her mother–in–law shows what a good character Lady Willow has. Why else would she have such a devoted servant?” someone else added.

A faint smirk played on Willow lips.

‘Who knew that fool Nona could actually be so useful?‘ she thought.

Now she earned a reputation for filial piety, while Athena was put on the spot.

It was killing two birds with one stone..

Behind the door, Lance and Marquita were practically gnashing their teeth in fury.

“I’ll go tear that bitch’s mouth off.” Lance bared his arms and lunged for the door, only to be stopped by Marquita.

Shaking her head disapprovingly at Lance, Marquita said, “They’re using public opinion to pressure us. If you act now, you’ll just be playing right into their hands.”

Lance frowned so hard his brows knitted together. Practically in tears, he said, “What should we do then? We can’t just let them spread lies and bully Lady Athena, can we?”

Marquita thought for a moment, motioned for Lance to come closer, and whispered something in his ear.

After hearing that, Lance’s eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly. “Okay, I got it.”

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Chapter 262

“Go,” Marquita said, giving him a slight nod.

Lance straightened his clothes, then flung open the door and rushed out, his face contorted into a dramatic cry.

He threw himself to his knees in front of Nona, mimicking her dramatic flair. “Heaven above! Lady Athena is wronged. She’s been working day and night to treat the townsfolk during the epidemic, but now there are ridiculous rumors claiming that just wearing masks alone could cure everyone.”

Slapping his thighs for emphasis, Lance wailed even louder, “The outbreak was already under control, but now it’s spreading again. Some people with no conscience have done wicked things, and now they have the nerve to turn around and even accuse my lady of refusing to meet them.

“Lady Athena isn’t even home–how could she possibly meet anyone? Waaah…”

Lance’s booming voice instantly drowned out Nona’s. By the time his dramatic, tearful outburst subsided, both Nona and Willow stood there, utterly stunned and at a loss for words.

“Athena isn’t home?” Nona seized the chance and shrieked, “How could that be? We clearly saw the Viscountess at home.”

“Saw her?” Lance narrowed his eyes dangerously. “When did you see her? Or did you sneak in yourself?”

I didn’t. I just know!” Nona retorted, her face flushing with anger as she secretly gritted her teeth, thinking, ‘Damn that gatekeeper, trying to trick me!

Athena was the Viscountess–how could a lowly servant like her possibly trespass into her residence? That was punishable by death.

Lance scoffed. “If you didn’t see her, then why are you so damn sure my lady’s at home? All this wailing and carrying on–aren’t you just trying to smear the Viscountess’s name?”

Nona stammered, flustered, “I–I didn’t! I was just so concerned for Lady Willow, that’s why I resorted to this desperate measure.”

Nona stammered, her face flushing with panic.

Willow took one look at Nona’s flustered face and knew she’d botched it.

‘What an utter idiot,‘ Willow thought with disdain. ‘Getting rattled by a mere gatekeeper.

Seeing the crowd murmuring and pointing fingers at them, Willow had no choice but to step forward and declared with forced dignity, “I merely came to seek medicine, not to cause the Viscountess any difficulty. My maid acted rashly out of concern–there was never any intention to smear the Viscountess’s name.”

Willow straightened her back, exuding the authority of Marchioness of Somers. “Take me to the Viscountess at once,” she commanded.

Lance was speechless and thought how utterly shameless Willow was.

Yet outwardly, he put on a terrified expression. “Lady Willow, my lady truly isn’t here. Why must you press so hard?”

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With that, he burst into dramatic sobs.

Willow’s chest heaved with fury.

‘Why the hell is that damn gatekeeper bawling like that? As if I’m the one bullying him now,” she thought.

With the crowd growing larger by the minute, Willow considered retreat.

Staying any longer would only bring worse consequences.

Letting out a weary sigh, she said with forced composure, “This is all just a misunderstanding. Since the Viscountess isn’t home, we’ll simply wait.”

Just as Willow was about to board her carriage, someone in the crowd shouted, “The Viscountess is at Saint Jero Clinic. Ever since the

outbreak flared up again, she’s been treating patients there–so why come looking for her at home?”

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