The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 372

Chapter 372

Natasha spat out the straw and gave her a rogue’s grin, saying, “Yeah, the nomadic life is still the best. Ever since I got back, nothing feels right. If my old man hadn’t dragged me to that gala dinner, I wouldn’t have bothered showing up.”

At this point, she looked earnestly at Athena and added, “There were just too many people at the last palace banquet. So, I didn’t recognize you right away.”

Without a word, she stepped forward and cupped Athena’s face in both hands, turning it side to side with exaggerated scrutiny before remarking, “They say a girl changes beyond recognition as she grows up. How true is that! If that little bitch hadn’t called your name, I might not have recognized you at all.”

Athena’s face was squished out of shape between Natasha’s hands, her little mouth puckered up like a hamster caught stealing food.

She quickly freed her face from Natasha’s hands and forced an awkward smile, asking, “Really?”

“Yeah, you’re uglier than before,” Natasha said with complete seriousness. “You used to have such a real, carefree smile. But now, whenever you smile, it just feels like you’re wearing a mask.”

Natasha had no idea what Athena had been through. Had she known, she would never have made that statement.

Natasha was being her usual blunt self, but Athena didn’t mind. She simply said, “No one stays the same as when they were a kid. People change.”

“Damn right! Is Michael going to marry Willow? That’s just insane,” Natasha looked at Athena with exasperation and asked, “How could you let someone else take what’s yours?”

Athena looked at her seriously and said, “It’s not that I couldn’t keep him, it’s that I chose to let him go.”

Natasha’s eyes lit up and she grinned, “Now that’s more like it.”

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in Natasha’s line of sight and it was Michael himself.

Michael stared, astonished, in Athena’s direction, his scorching glare practically turning Natasha to ashes.

Natasha was puzzled by the hostility at first, but when she glanced at her clothes, realization dawned on her instantly.

‘That bastard’s jealous,‘ she thought in amusement.

She scoffed inwardly, ‘He’s about to marry Willow. So why the hell is he jealous? Seriously, he wants to have the best of both worlds.‘

Natasha’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she playfully ruffled Athena’s hair, and just as she expected, Michael was practically grinding his teeth in fury.

“Athena!” Michael bellowed angrily from behind her.

Before Athena could react, Natasha seized her wrist and dragged her away. “Don’t look! He’s not worth your sight,” Natasha said.

The two jogged to the field and found seats together.

Michael caught up, only to find Athena and Natasha seated in the ladies‘ section, which left him perplexed.

Just then, some men nearby started talking. One sneered, “Can you believe that tomboy daughter from Alfred’s family

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actually came to play polo? With that mannish look, she’ll never get married.”

“Damn right! If I had to marry her, I’d rather become a monk!” another chimed in.

Michael froze as he thought, ‘Alfred?

‘Was that person just now… Natasha?‘

Realizing it was her, Michael’s expression darkened even further.

His mind reeled, ‘I haven’t forgotten how Natasha got the better of me when we were kids.

That girl was wild and unreasonable, she’s just as stubborn and unyielding as her father.

‘All I did was accidentally knock the muskmelon out of Athena’s hands, and Natasha had the nerve to plop it right onto my

head.

‘However, as it was just childish mischief, the whole thing was dropped.

‘But I knew the real reason! Given Alfred’s notorious reputation, no one had dared to challenge her.‘

With an icy glare at Natasha, Michael turned and strode toward the gentlemen’s section.

Athena noticed Michael glaring coldly in their direction and frowned. ‘What’s he throwing a fit about this time?‘ she thought.

Beside her, Natasha nudged Athena and asked, “Someone just stole your man. Are you going just to let it happen?”

Athena felt a chill run down her spine as she met Natasha’s gaze. She probed, “What are you up to?”

Natasha flashed Athena a toothy grin and spat out the words, “Let’s get him.”