The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 496

Chapter 496

Of all the carriages gathered before Xander Manor, nono drew more attention than the one from Porter Mansion,

Alop the canlage sat a dazzling seven tiered canopy the base woven from peacock feathers, the second draped in coral bead tassels, the third adorned with chiming pendants, and the topmost tier caned with a bright yellow silk parasol emtioidered in swiding clouds, its handle gently curved.

The parasel’s triple–curved frame, forged from tempered steel interlaced with gold threads, was timmed with three hundred and sixty pearls. A display of shoer extravagance.

Double–layered silk curtains draped the windows, sunlight filtering through in streams of liquid gold as a subtle, lingering fragrance hung in the air

The opulent carriage left everyone paping in awe. Then a voice rang out from the crowd, “Whose carriage is this? Such extravagance!”

“What? You didn’t know? That’s Miss Kendra, the Porters‘ beloved daughter. She just returned after three years of mourning her mother, the speaker said with a sigh. “Everyone thought she’d marry Prince Xander someday, but fate had other plans… alas.”

That sigh was laden with immeasurable regret.

Athena’s fingers tightened slightly as she instinctively cast a glance toward the wo

the carriage.

Xander kept his face neutral, but his eyes betrayed him as they darted to Athena, it’s all lies. There’s nothing between Just rumors, nothing more.”

Athena fixed her piercing gaze on Xander, which only made him mon flustered

“What? You don’t believe me?” he asked, his voice tinged with anxiety

Though the early spring air was still chilly, beads of sweat formed on the tip of xander’s nose.

Seeing him so utterly flustered, Athena almost wanted to laugh.

She shook her head at Xander and said gently, “There’s no need to explain, Prince Xander. Whatever happened between you and Miss Porter belongs to the past. It doesn’t concern me.”

Frowning, Xander looked at her and asked quietly. “You don’t care? Not at all?”

“yes” Athena nodded, looking at Kander, slightly puzzled. “It’s just like me and Ferris, everyone has their past. You know about mine yet still helped me. and for that, I’m truly grateful.”

Xander’s frown deepened. He drew a sharp breath, wanting to ask more, yet afraid that asking too much would scare Athena off

A heavy weight settled in his chest, like a stone lodged there: Kander slowly exhaled, then said to Athena in a hasured tone, “Let’s get out”

Wright, Athena replied.

Xander was the first to alight from the carriage. He then turned and offered his hand to Athena, helping her down with gentle care

e moment Athena and Xander appeared together, all eyes snapped to them like moths to a flame.

Her slender fingers and delicate wrist, adorned with a diamond bracelet, made her skip appear all the more radiant and ethereal.

A soft murmur rose from the crowd as an otherworldly beauty stopped forward.

She wore pristine white dress, her slender waist cinched with a belt embellished with gemstones, further highlighting her graceful figur

Instead, she was dressed in plain white, her hair tied with a simple ribbon, not a single omate hairpin to be found

This subtle elegance only emphasized her delicate beauty, as though she were an ethereal being untouched by the burdens of the mortal world.

Even Athena had to admit Kendra’s beauty was mesmerizing. The men, of course, were entirely spellbound.

Athena glanced at Xander on instinct, only to find him completely ignoring Kendra as he quietly gave instructions to his trusted side.

In contrast, though Kendra’s arrival instantly drew every gaze, she paid them no mind. Her eyes were fixed solely on Xander

When she realized he wasn’t looking her way, a flicker of melancholy crossed her exquisite features it disappeared almost immediately.

“Hi.” The soft voice by Athena’s ear made her glance sideways. There stood Kendra, her eyes still fixed on Xander, shining with quiet longing as she

waited for his res

ponse.

A