The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 297

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Chapter 297

Athena’s heart clenched with worry. The poison in Ferris’s body was gone, but those damn nails were still inside him.

All that remained was to wait for his return so the nails could be removed.

Athena thought to herself, ‘Lizzie must have caught wind of something. That’s why she came to test the waters.

If that weren’t the case, there’s no way she’d be this hostile toward me.’

“Atheny, what’s on your mind?” Gale asked gently, noticing Athena’s thoughtful expression.

Athena shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing, Your Grace.”

But traces of worry flickered across Athena’s face.

She thought, “Thank goodness Ferris isn’t here. Lizzie is a walking time bomb, who knows when she’ll

‘Please, let Ferris return safely.

‘Please let there be no more complications with our wedding.’

Stepping out of Gale’s courtyard, Athena couldn’t shake the worry weighing on her mind.

go

off.

Athena was just about to take a walk along the mountain path to clear her mind when a familiar voice rang out. “Wow, this place is gorgeous!”

At the sound of that voice, Athena instinctively frowned, her expression darkening with clear displeasure.

Athena didn’t need to look. She knew exactly who it was.

Athena turned around and, sure enough, saw Willow, Nicolas, and Michael appearing in the manor, just as she’d expected.

Michael’s gaze instinctively trailed after Athena the moment he saw her.

That lovesick act of his disgusted Athena the most.

Athena’s gaze turned icy. “These people just won’t stop haunting me,‘ she thought bitterly.

At that same moment, Willow’s eyes landed on Athena.

Though they should have been strangers, Willow came charging toward Athena like a mindless fool. “Sis! It’s really you! What a wonderful coincidence meeting you here!”

Willow’s sickeningly innocent act made Athena want to vomit.

“Michael said this place has hot springs, so he brought me here specially. Sis, shall we go try it together?” As Willow spoke, she brazenly reached out, attempting to take Athena’s hand with feigned affection.

Athena swiftly sidestepped, easily dodging Willow’s hand.

“Sis, we’re family after all,” Willow said, taking two tentative steps closer with teary eyes. “Can’t we just let bygones be bygones? Mother has been missing you terribly since you left, she barely eats or sleeps. If I’ve ever done anything to upset you, just hit me as hard as you want.”

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Chapter 297

Willow grabbed Athena’s hand, trying to slap herself with it.

Athena didn’t hesitate as a sharp backhanded slap cracked across Willow’s face.

Willow stood frozen in shock, her eyes instantly turning red as tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks,

“Athena, have you lost your mind? You actually hit her?” Nicolas rushed forward to check on Willow’s injury, his face dark with anger.

Athena fixed Nicolas with an icy glare and snapped, “She asked for it, didn’t she? Weren’t you all here to make amends? So this is your idea of sincerity?”

Her words left Nicolas speechless.

Nicolas thought bitterly, ‘If Fermin didn’t want to win Athena over, why would I put up with her insolence?‘

Willow clutched her stinging cheek, tears welling in her eyes, yet forced a smile. “It’s nothing, Nicolas,” she sniffled, “I don’t mind the pain, as long as she isn’t upset anymore.”

Nicolas let out a furious snort, his gaze burning with undisguised hostility as he glared at Athena.

Just as Willow was nervously racking her brains for a way to get closer to Athena, Athena’s voice suddenly cut through the air.

“There’s a natural hot spring out back. Wanna go with me?”

Honestly, Willow would have found it perfectly normal if Athena had refused her.

But when Athena suddenly invited her, Willow grew fearful instead. “You really want to soak in the hot springs with me?” she stammered, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Athena curled her lips into a mocking smile, eyes flashing with challenge as she looked at Willow. “What’s the matter? Got some dirty little secret?” she sneered. “Too chicken to come? Then forget it.”

With that, she turned on her heel to leave.

Willow gently bit her lip and glanced at Nicolas. Seeing him give her a subtle nod, she felt reassured.

She thought, ‘We followed Athena here just to bury the hatchet. Now’s my chance.’

Willow took a deep breath and hastily nodded. “Alright, I’ll go.”

“I’ll be waiting for you,” Athena said, her voice dripping with ominous promise.

The way Athena looked at Willow sent an indescribable terror that made Willow’s blood run cold.

Willow shuddered violently, a chill running down her spine. ‘Why do I feel like Athena is going to tear me apart any second?” she thought from revine

how

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