Noticing her proud and defiant expression, Athens looked at Natasha in surprise and gave her a thumbs up, saying, “Nice one”
When they were kids, Natasha loved to stand up for the weak and always had Athena’s back.
Who would’ve thought that after all these years, her fiery spirit hadn’t changed a hit?
Natasha treated Athena so well, not just because of her personality–though that played a part–but more importantly, because Athens had saved her lida when they were children.
When Athena first saw Natasha, the girl was struggling desperately in a hole in the frozen lake,
Without hesitation, Athens reached out and pulled her to safety.
From then on, Natasha became Athena’s closest confidante, the kind of friend with whom she could share everything.
While Natasha remained tight–lipped about how she’d fallen into the ice hole in the first place, her attitude toward Willow had done a complete 180
Willow had been the center of attention since childhood. With her delicate beauty and status as the duke’s precious daughter made countless admirers Blocked around her,
Even Natasha had once been among her devoted followers.
But ever since she fell through the ice, she completely severed ties with Willow.
While Athena didn’t know the ins and outs, she had always had a nagging feeling that something big must have happened between Wilow and Natasha
Otherwise, their friendship wouldn’t have undergone such a drastic change overnight,
After all, before she became friends with Athena, Natasha had been good friends with Willow
In the crowd, Willow craned her neck in Athena’s direction with a look of anxiety on her face.
With the match about to begin, Willow nervously bit her lip and approached Athena
Willow’s sudden appearance darkened Natasha’s expression, while Athena regarded her with puzzled eyes.
“Athena,” Willow’s voice was small and fragile, bears welling in her eyes as she pleaded. “Tve never asked you for anything before, but just this once. could you please not win the match?”
Athena was second to none as a polo player among all the noble ladies.
With her on the field, it was game over for everyone else.
But Athena’s polo skills were hard–earned as she’d worked for every bit of her talent.
“What right did Willow have to ask me to throw the match? Who did she think she is?‘ Athena mused before letting out a mirthless laugh, “Do you really think you’re in any position to make such a demand of me?”
“Athena,” Willow’s voice trembled, tears glistening unshed in her eyes. “I–‘m truly desperate. The prize for today’s polo match is a horse, and since you’d have no use for it anyway… that’s why I’m begging you like this.
“in just two days, be marrying Michael, and his steed has been injured. I want to win the match so I can give him the prize horse as a wedding gift.
“Considering the fact that we had grown up together, could you please let me win the horse?”
‘Now I get it, Athena thought. This explains why Willow rushed over as soon as she saw me. This was what she was alter
1/3
Chapter 214
Natasha gritted her teeth and was about to charge at Willow, but Atheria quickly reached nut and slapped her.
She thought, As all the high ranking nobles are here today, who knows what humors might spread if Natasha stands up for me now?
They’d say that I am throwing my weight around as the future Princess Consort, and that tam bullying the future Marchioness of Somers.
“If that happens, it’d be even harder for me to clear my name,
Athena looked at Willow and said firmly, “If you want to give your husband a gift, you should earn it through your own merit, and not try to get it from me with your petty tricks. There’s no reason, emotionally or logically, for me to concede to you.”
“But, Athena, what would you even do with a horse?” Willow asked anxiously, clearly baffled by Athena’s reasoning
She inwardly reasoned, ‘Athena has everything now. She’s Prince Xander’s fiancée. Would she really care about some horse?


Athena looked at Natasha in astonishment as her mind raced, ‘No wonder she’s been at odds with Willow ever since. So this was the reason.
Athena might not fully understand Natasha, but she knew Willow’s true nature all too well.
‘She’s fooled everyone by playing the delicate, obedient girl, Athena thought bitterly. ‘But beneath that facade lies a treacherous, utterly vicious soul.
“I hold grudges. Unlike you, who never holds grudges, probably because you’ve never been the one framed, it’s always you scheming against others. You know exactly how I fell through that ice back then, Natasha shot at Willow, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Natasha spared Willow no dignity whatsoever as she added, “The only reason I’m here today is because of you, Willow. As long as Fm around, don’t even dream of taking that championship!”
Willow’s face turned deathly palo as she stared at Natasha, shaking her head frantically. She begged, “No! Natasha, please, let me explain”
Natasha advanced two steps toward Willow, forcing her to stumble backward in fright.
She turned around and there stood Matthew, whom she hadn’t seen in ages.
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