Chapter 73
Athena’s face turned icy as she shot Matthew a warning glare. “Fool! Instead of meddling in my affairs, you’d better watch your own steps. Don’t go causing trouble and disgracing the Monson family.”
With that, she shot Matthew one last icy glare before turning on her heel and walking away without a second glance.
To everyone’s surprise, Henry made no move to stop her.
Matthew looked at Henry, puzzled. “Father, are you really just going to let her off that easily?”
“Or what?” Henry glared at his good–for–nothing second son, venting all his anger on him. “If you could earn a Prince’s favor like she did, you’d be this arrogant too.”
Matthew froze for a moment, he’d completely forgotten about Athena’s arrangement with Xander.
Every five days, Athena was required to visit Xander to teach embroidery.
At this thought, Matthew clenched his jaw so hard his teeth nearly shattered.
He thought, ‘If I’d known I was just paving the way for Athena, I never would’ve worn those clothes she made to Xander:
At Ivory Grove, Eloise’s heart wrenched at the sight of Willow’s bruised and battered body, tears streaming down her face.
The estate physician had already tended to Willow’s wounds, but it would take at least ten days for her to heal properly.
But with the Osborne family coming tomorrow for the engagement ceremony, they didn’t know what they were supposed to do.
With a troubled expression, Henry pondered for a moment before saying, “We’ll have to tell the Osborne family that Willow has caught a cold and can’t be exposed to the wind. Please ask them to be understanding.”
“But… that won’t do!” Eloise said anxiously, wringing her hands. “It’s Willow’s big day, after all. If she doesn’t show up, people will start gossiping.”
Henry and Eloise exchanged helpless glances, both at a complete loss, their faces clouded with worry.
From the bed, Willow let out a feeble gasp. “Father… Mother…”
Willow was pale–faced and drenched in cold sweat from the pain.
“Tomorrow… I must be there,” Willow insisted, her face pale but filled with determination, her voice weak yet unwavering.
“But… you’re still injured,” Eloise said, her eyes reddening with concern. Deep down, she couldn’t help but think, ‘Athena is just too heartless.‘
Willow weakly shook her head. “Father, Mother… I think I know a way to get through this.”
Hearing this, Henry and Eloise both turned eagerly to Willow. “What’s your solution?”
“Aconite powder,” Willow forced out through her parched lips, each word a struggle.
Eloise’s face darkened instantly. As the mistress of Henry’s household, she was all too familiar with aconite powder.
While the aconite powder provided miraculous pain relief, its side effects were dangerously potent.
Aconite powder contained a high concentration of datura extract. After ingestion, it first induced mental exhilaration, then extreme fatigue, and eventually plunged the user into hallucinatory dreams.
Prolonged use could cause skin ulceration and festering sores, ultimately leading to an incurable condition that claimed one’s life.
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Chapter 73
Henry’s eyes suddenly lit up with realization. Without a second thought, he declared, “There’s really no other way right now. Besides, tomorrow it Willow’s engagement ceremony, we can’t have her immobilized by pain.”
Eloise wanted to dissuade them, but bor
she could speak, Willow cut her off.
“Mother, please,” Willow begged, her voice trembling as she gazed pitifully at Eloise, her eyes filling with tears, large drops welling up, on the verge of spilling over.
The sight of Willow, so pitiful and helpless, like
a wounded fawn, made Eloise’s heart clench as if twisted by a knife.
softened and she nodded, saying, “Alright, just this once. Don’t do it again.” She reassured herself, Shen let out a helpless sigh. Eventually, her he ‘There’s an experienced estate physician here. Nothing serious should happen.’
The next day, the Osborne family arrived as promised to present the propo
Willow was helped up at dawn to prepare for the engagement ceremony
At first glance, she looked perfectly normal, no one would have guessed anything was wrong.
As Willow emerged from the courtyard, she saw Athena deep in conversation with Kelsey.
Athena thought to herself, ‘After what Willow went through, I was sure she’d be bedridden for days. How is she standing here so steadily? This is truly astonishing.‘
Early that morning, a messenger from Xander arrived with a letter.
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