The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Before anyone realized, dark clouds eclipsed the sun, plunging the Osborne residence into deep gloom.

By the time Michael dragged his fatigued body back to the residence, night had completely set in.

The Osborne residence was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The steward hurried forward, but before he could speak, Michael raised a hand to stop him.

Earlier that day, Emperor Arthur summoned Michael to the palace and absolutely tore into him.

Even the Queen wasn’t spared from the Emperor’s wrath.

Even without the steward saying a word, Michael knew exactly what had happened.

“How is Mother?” Michael asked.

The steward, looking dejected, replied, “Lady Kelsey showed slight improvement after taking the medicine, but remains unconscious.”

Michael already knew the true severity of Kelsey’s condition. Yet, upon hearing the steward’s words, his heart plummeted.

Willow had failed to secure the medicine for his mother.

Michael paused in his tracks, weighing his options.

He would have to go himself to secure the medicine.

After kneeling before Emperor Arthur for half a day, Michael’s knees were in such agony he could barely bend them.

Each step sent sharp, needle–like pains shooting through his legs.

The attendant, heart aching, quickly supported him and urged anxiously, “Lord Osborne, please, let me tend to your wounds first.”

Michael gently shook his head. “It’s fine. Mother’s condition can’t wait.”

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Michael hauled himself onto the horse. With a sharp tug on the reins, he galloped toward the Saint Jero Clinic.

A long line stretched endlessly outside the Saint Jero Clinic.

The courtyard was packed to the brim–Athena was nowhere to be seen.

Michael, burning with anxiety, stopped a passerby and demanded, “What’s going on here? Why such a huge crowd?”

The passerby, looking haggard and furious, snapped, “What else could it be? It’s all thanks to the ‘brilliant job‘ of Lady Willow. If not for her, the epidemic would’ve been contained long ago, and we wouldn’t be suffering like this.”

After the passerby finished speaking, only then did he notice that Michael was dressed in luxurious attire.

He eyed Michael warily. “You’re not one of the Osbornes, are you?”

Michael’s heart clenched. Instinctively, he shook his head. “No…

no,

I’m not.”

In the past, when people spoke of the Osborne family, it was always with admiration and reverence.

But now, the Osborne family had become pariahs–like rats scurrying across the street, despised by all.

Now everyone was out for their blood.

Bitterness welled up inside Michael. It was all my fault, he thought.

Michael wondered if everything had turned out differently if he had firmly chosen Athena from the very beginning.

But there was no undoing the past. He made his own bed, and now he had to lie in it.

He quietly stood at the back of the line, waiting to get his medicine just like everyone else.

Seeing this, his attendant quickly stepped forward and urged, “My Lord, let me take your place in line. You’re still injured.”

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Chapter 264

Michael shook his head firmly. “No need. I’ll do it myself.”

‘If I can’t even find the courage for this,’ Michael thought bitterly, ‘how can I ever face Athena again?‘

The attendant frowned deeply. ‘My lord has suffered so much!‘ he thought.

Yet Michael didn’t feel that way. Instead, a flicker of joy ignited in his chest, followed by something even more dangerous—hope.

Michael thought so many misunderstandings shouldn’t have come between Athena and him.

He longed for a fresh start with Athena.

As the line gradually thinned, Athena’s figure drew nearer.

Michael watched as Athena treated each patient with gentle kindness, a warm smile never leaving her face.

Her face was weary, yet her eyes were alight with spirit.

It seemed as though she had returned to the carefree Athena of her childhood days.

When Michael appeared before Athena, she merely gave him a cool, fleeting glance, then examined him with clinical detachment before preparing his medicine.

Throughout, she treated him just like any other patient.

Michael tried several times to strike up a conversation with Athena, but never got the chance.

It wasn’t until Michael stepped out of the Saint Jero Clinic that he truly realized how wide the chasm had grown between him and

Athena.

Athena’s eyes no longer followed me–now she had Xander standing guard by her side.

Behind Athena, Xander sat in quiet vigilance.

Occasionally, Athena and Xander exchanged a few words, likely discussing the patients‘ conditions or possible treatment plans, or perhaps something more.

There was no romance between them, yet an oddly undeniable harmony existed.

At this moment, the person Michael envied most in the world was Xander.

He could stay so close to Athena, share the same space with her, and even be at her service.

Clutching the medicine, Michael left, bitterness weighing heavy on his heart.

Athena watched Michael walk away, a complex, inscrutable glint flickering in her eyes.

Trina asked in confusion, “My Lady, why do you even care what happens to him? If I were you, I’d never have given him the medicine.”

Athena gave a soft chuckle. “I don’t care if he lives or dies, but Lady Kelsey still serves my purposes.”

Athena thought Kelsey should know something about her Grandfather’s case.

Athena gave Kelsey the medicine–not out of kindness, but to make her owe her a favor.

Trina let out a soft “Ah.” “No wonder,” she said, nodding in understanding.

Trina stole a glance at Xander across the room, where he was quietly directing his attendants with practiced ease.

Ever since Athena entered Saint Jero Clinic, Xander had been steadfastly by her side.

Xander was distant and reserved with everyone–except Athena, who alone could draw out his rare tenderness.

Trina shook her head, her eyes sparkling with admiration, gushing, “My Lady, if only you could marry Prince Xander!”

Athena hurriedly clapped a hand over Trina’s mouth, darting a furtive glance at Xander. Seeing he remained oblivious, she exhaled in relief.

Athena turned back and shot Trina an exasperated look. “You little rascal, must you blurt out every thought you have?”

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Trina playfully stuck out her tongue and eagerly defended Xander. “Prince Xander has it all—looks and power. What woman in the capital wouldn’t dream of marrying him? Honestly, My Lady, if you married him, no one would ever dare to bully you again.”

“Alright, that’s enough. Get to work,” Athena said hastily, worried Trina might blurt out something even more outrageous. She quickly assigned her a task. “Go and distribute all these medicinal herbs.”

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