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Chapter 494
“Even now, you’re still defending him? Nicolas fumed, though beneath his anger was only Belplessness and heartache.
Willow was head over heels in love with Michael, always putting him first, yet
me cherished her
“I’ll stay at the family estate for a while longer and let him stew. I’m sure he’ll e
Willow said
with no better option at the moment, Nicolas let out a cold sort. “Just stay here and don’t worry. No one would dare gossip about you
Willow, looking deeply touched, nodded gently. “Thank you, irlan
Perhaps from a recent chill, Willow was suddenly wracked by a harsh fit of coughing
Seeing her in Such a pitiful state, Nicolas quickly unfastened his cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
He even meticulously fastened the straps for her.
Both were grown adults, and such intimate gestures should have been tempered with discretion.
Yet Willow and Nicolas saw no impropriety and felt perfectly at ease
They w
were siblings, after all. There was no need for anyone to overthink it
Willow threw herself into Nicolas’s arms, nuzzling him affectionately, it’s so good to be home, with my big brother protecting me
Meanwhile, Nicolas held her in a gentle embrace, his expression soft with fondness. “Still the same as ever, always clinging to me.”
Suddenly, Willow food.
Not far off, Fiona appeared in the garden, carrying Cedric,
Through the flowering hedge, she watched as Willow and Nicolas stood locked in an embrace.
In the past, she would have been consumed by jealousy and utter shock.
But at this moment, she merely cast them a brief, indifferent glance before looking away.
Fiona’s whole world was Cedric now. Cradling her child, she turned to leave and cooed, “My
by sweet Cedric, are you warm enough today? I will make you some steamed egg custard later, okay?”
was rosy, and he was already babbling.
As she spoke, she started after Fiona, but Nicolas grabbed her arm and yanked her back.
“If it weren’t for the child, would I ever have made a woman like her the future Lady Monson? She’s just a merchant’s daughter, and now she’s learned to give me attitude? What a joke, Nicolas thought with disdain.
Willow tilted her head, pretending to be innocent, “Oh, Nicolas,” she said with a soft sigh, “you’ve been through a lot. Flone used to be to dinner really breaks s my heart to see you two drifting apart.”
But ever since Athena returned to the estate, Fiona gradually changed. She no longer centered her life around him. First, giving Nicolas the cold shoulder, then openly confronting him.
Now, they were like sworn enemies.
Willow’s words made it clear to Nicolas that Athena was the source of all these problems.
He clenched his fists, a dark resolve settling in. It was time he taught Athena a lesson
“Willow, go back and rest,” Nicolas said gently.
“Okay,” Willow replied softly, her obedient tone bringing a satisfied smile to Nicolas’s face.
To him, this was how a younger sister should be. Not like Athena, who was nothing but a constant source of trouble
Nicolas pondered. Alexandra’s birthday was just days away
She was sure to host a lavish party, and Athena would undoubtedly attend.
Nicolas summoned his right–hand man and ordered coldly, “Spread the word, Athena is cheatingTM
Even if he couldn’t deal with Athena himsell, there were always others who could put her in her place. For example, Alexandra, who prized her reputation above all else, would never tolerate such rumors
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