The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 297

Chapter 296

Kelsey’s sudden shift in tone left Willow utterly perplexed.

She stole a cautious glance at Kelsey, noticing her face clouded with worry and her brows deeply furrowed in distress.

Willow asked in a hushed tone, “May I ask what’s troubling you? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Please get up,” Kelsey said gently. Willow hesitantly took a seat.

Kelsey gave her a long, troubled look before saying solemnly, “Michael has offended the Queen, and now Her Majesty is furious. Willow, do you have any solution to this?”

Willow’s talents were exactly what the Queen valued.

The Queen had gained numerous valuable innovations from Willow. Papermaking, gunpowder, glassmaking, and other innovations, all of these earned the Queen a fortune.

The Queen saw Willow as her personal goldmine, naturally indulging her every whim.

Kelsey was no exception this time, She pinned all her hopes on Willow, desperately counting on her to devise a way to save the Osborne family from ruin.

Those so–called ways were really just ingenious ideas Willow came up with herself.

Willow let out a slow breath of relief. ‘As long as I’m still useful to the Osborne family and the Queen, Kelsey won’t dare cast me aside easily, she thought.

She hesitated, then turned to Kelsey and asked carefully, “May I ask what offense my husband has committed to make Her Majesty the Queen so enraged?”

Willow was no fool, she knew her tricks wouldn’t work forever. Her trump card would only be played as a last resort.

Kelsey caught Willow’s meaning immediately, it was clear Willow already had a solution in mind.

Kelsey said, “Athena has undermined the Queen’s interests, Her Majesty cannot let her live. But Michael…”

At this, Kelsey cast an apologetic glance at Willow. “Michael has been completely bewitched by Athena, he’s actually daring to defy Her Majesty the Queen for her. Isn’t he playing with fire, putting both his own future and the entire Osborne family at stake?”

A bitter ache twisted in Willow’s heart as she listened to Kelsey’s words.

Willow was both shocked and furious. Not only did Michael go to see Athena, but he even dared to defy the Queen for her.

He was really willing to risk the entire Osborne family and even his own life for Athena.

Seeing the disappointment on Willow’s face, Kelsey instead comforted her, “Don’t take it too hard. Michael wouldn’t dare go too far. I called you back because only you can rein him in.

“Just give Michael a child or two, and he’ll naturally stop looking elsewhere.”

Willow now understood the full situation, and a calculated plan took shape in her mind.

With red–rimmed eyes, Willow nodded to Kelsey. “I understand. But to appease Her Majesty the Queen, I’ll need your help to keep Michael from acting recklessly. If this happens again, I’m afraid the Queen won’t be so forgiving.”

For Willow to offer a solution to appease the Queen’s anger, Kelsey would first have to give her a guarantee.

Michael always listened to Kelsey. If she stepped in, he wouldn’t be able to refuse, and Willow could keep herself out of the direct conflict.

‘How dare she try to blackmail me!‘ Kelsey thought, a flicker of coldness in her eyes.

Kelsey’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze turning noticeably colder as she looked at Willow.

SO

However, she kept her true feelings hidden. If saving the Osborne family meant playing the villain, Kelsey was willing to bear that role.

Kelsey gave a faint smile. “Rest assured, Willow. Once Michael is back, I’ll make sure he is properly disciplined.” Then she asked, “So, what’s your plan?”

Willow thought for a moment, then said, “Her Majesty has always been quite particular about her appearance. I know a way to make the wrinkles on Her Majesty’s face disappear.”

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Chapter 297

Chapter 297

By late afternoon, Michael returned to the family estate.

Gone was his usual confident demeanor; Michael entered with his head hung low.

Having not seen him for days, Willow hurried forward the moment she spotted his return. “My lord…” she called softly.

Michael merely cast her an indifferent glance and said nothing.

When Willow tried to cling to him, Michael firmly pushed her away.

Kelsey, seeing his demeanor, couldn’t help but stand up for Willow. “Where on earth have you been these days? Willow has been worried about you that she couldn’t sleep at all. Now that you’re finally back, is there any need to give her the cold shoulder?”

Michael had always been loyal to his family. He would never defy his mother.

But today, defying all expectations, Michael fixed Kelsey with an icy stare and said, “Mother, there’s something I need to ask you.”

Kelsey’s heart sank the moment she saw his expression. She sensed something was wrong.

Her eyes flickered away, heavy with guilt. “What is it? Go ahead,” she said.

“Did the Osborne family meddle in General Perkins‘ case back then?” Michael suddenly raised his voice.

Kelsey’s eyes nearly bulged out in terror as she bellowed, “Everyone out, now!”

The servants promptly withdrew outside the courtyard and firmly closed the doors behind them.

M

SO

Kelsey’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Have you lost your mind? How could you spout such reckless talk? His Majesty took care of General Perkins‘ case. What could it possibly have to do with our family?”

“Are you absolutely certain?” Michael pressed, his resolve unwavering.

Kelsey nodded emphatically. “Even if the Osborne family sought to curry favor with the Queen, we would always leave ourselves an escape route. General Perkins‘ family served with unwavering loyalty. Our family would never stoop to such unconscionable deeds.”

Truth be told, while the Osborne family didn’t get involved, they did catch wind of the situation.

They simply chose to turn a blind eye.

Therefore, she wasn’t lying.

Michael breathed a sigh of relief at her words. “That’s for the best.”

All the way back, Michael was coiled with tension, dreading that Kelsey might reveal the truth he feared most.

He thought, “There is already a rift between Athena and me. I can’t afford to let any more animosity come between us

Willow noticed the deep frown on Michael’s face. He was clearly thinking about Athena again. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

Willow thought, ‘Even though he’s married me now, he still can’t stop thinking about Athena.

‘I just don’t get it. What kind of spell has that witch cast on Michael to make him so obsessed with her?‘

Willow’s chest constricted with rage as she dug her nails deep into her palms,

She said, “But you’ve ruined the Queen’s plans this time. She won’t forgive you easily. For your safety, stay inside the estate for the next few days. The day after tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to the palace to beg Her Highness‘ pardon.”

Before Willow’s offering was ready, the Queen was sure to be furious.

Only by presenting the gift could they prove their sincerity.

Willow felt that such a precious gift might just soften the Queen’s wrath a little.

Michael didn’t argue, but solemnly cautioned Kelsey, “There’s a chance General Perkins‘ case might be reopened. For your safety, Mother, you’d better stay indoors in the coming days.”

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Chapter 297

Michael thought to himself, ‘Knowing Athena’s temperament, she would surely petition the Emperor directly to clear General Perkins‘

name.

With the Queen implicated in this case, Michael couldn’t help but fear for Athena’s safety.

He did not know if this would work out.

Kelsey drew a sharp breath, her face paling in shock. “Athena has uncovered something, hasn’t she?”

Michael nodded trustingly. “Back then, General Perkins was falsely accused of embezzlement. But before the military payroll arrived, he’d already started selling off his assets to support the troops.

“General Perkins was the epitome of integrity. How could he possibly have committed embezzlement? But at the time, the evidence was irrefutable. Even if His Majesty had wanted to protect him, there was nothing he could do. What was originally a death sentence was commuted to exile. It was a mercy that his life was spared.”

After he finished speaking, Michael shot a wary glance at Kelsey and sternly repeated his warning. “Under no circumstances can this reach a third person’s ears. If it does, Athena will be in grave danger.”

Willow clenched her jaw in silent fury, her eyes alight with resentment.

Willow thought bitterly, ‘He hasn’t even looked me in the eye since coming back, yet keeps calling Athena so affectionately!

Kelsey nodded, a wave of belated fear washing over her, “Rest assured, the Osborne family only seeks to protect itself. We certainly won’t meddle in such affairs.”

‘So that’s why Michael rushed to save Athena. The Queen actually wanted her dead, Kelsey realized with a chill.

A wave of belated fear washed over Kelsey.

Kelsey couldn’t help but secretly resent Athena for being such a constant source of trouble. In the past, Athena had hounded Michael. Now, Michael couldn’t seem to let her go.

Kelsey felt utterly drained. With a weary wave of her hand, she said, “I’m quite exhausted. You two should head back to your room.”

“Yes, Mother,” Willow answered respectfully, though inwardly pleased.

Once Kelsey had departed, Willow stepped closer to Michael and called out in a soft, gentle voice, “My lord.”

Michael responded with an indifferent grunt and left it at that.

Willow boldly linked her arm through Michael’s before gazing up at him with hopeful eyes. “You must be so worn out after all these days. Let me draw you a hot bath to ease your weariness.”

Michael didn’t give it much thought. Travel–worn and weary, he really needed a hot bath.

Michael nodded wearily. “Alright.”

Willow’s eyes sparkled with triumph. Upon returning to their courtyard, she immediately ordered the maid to draw a bath.

Willow shot Nona a meaningful glance, and Nona nodded knowingly.

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