The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 461

Chapter 461

Willow’s request gave Michael pause, but recalling it was for his mother, he nodded in agreement.

With her goal achieved, Willow flashed a satisfied smile at Michael.

‘Not a chance I’m letting those two rekindle their old flame,’ Willow vowed to herself.

Kelsey was gravely ill, so Michael and Willow rushed out immediately.

In no time, they arrived at Athena’s manor.

The attendant stepped forward and knocked. After a long wait, the door finally creaked open, and Lance’s head peeked out cautiously.

“Lord Osborne and Lady Willow request to see Viscountess Athena,” the attendant announced with forced politeness.

The entire household knew about Athena’s plight.

They all knew Michael had betrayed her.

The Osborne family went back on their word and shamelessly married Willow instead.

Though Athena never uttered a complaint, the household had already branded the Osbornes as enemies.

‘What on earth are Michael and Willow doing here together?’ Lance couldn’t help but wonder, his resentment simmering.

‘Are they here to flaunt their happiness, or just to spite Athena?’

Lance’s resentment reached its boiling point, but his lowly status as a servant kept him from acting out.

With a perfunctory smile that held no real respect, he said, “Viscountess Athena isn’t at home.”

Then he immediately moved to shut the door.

Michael’s attendant frowned. He blocked the door with his arm, urgency in his voice as he said, “This is a matter of life and death. We’d appreciate your cooperation.”

The Osborne family’s power meant even their servants acted superior.

Their tone was devoid of courtesy whenever they spoke.

The door was forced open. Lance scowled and snapped, “I already told you-Viscountess Athena isn’t home. Are you seriously trying to barge in?”

Lance seethed with resentment. ‘If Jessa were here,’ he thought, ‘these guys wouldn’t be worth a damn.’

The attendant was about to speak when Michael cut in, “Mind your manners.”

He alighted from the carriage and approached Lance. “I have urgent business with Viscountess Athena. Kindly inform her of my visit,” he said.

As he spoke, he offered a piece of gold, equivalent to half a year’s wages for an ordinary servant.

This generous gesture made it clear just how lavish Michael could be.

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Chapter 461

However, Lance didn’t even spare the gold a glance, utterly unfazed. He stated firmly, “Viscountess Athena truly isn’t home, Lord Osborne. Please come another day.”

A piece of gold might be a fortune to others, but to me, it pales in comparison to Viscountess Athena’s generosity, Lance thought.

Athena paid them double what other families did, and even bought land so they could grow vegetables, raise fish, and keep poultry.

Aside from what the manor needed, the rest of the money was theirs to keep and use as they pleased.

Lance thought, ‘With a lady this good, I wouldn’t trade her for all the gold in the world. To think a piece of gold could buy my loyalty? In your dreams!’

Michael’s brows furrowed slightly as he was about to speak, but the door slammed shut before he could utter a word.

“How insolent! A mere gatekeeper dares disrespect Lord Osborne!” The attendant seethed, raising his foot to kick the door, but Michael snapped sharply, “Back off.”

The attendant looked at Michael, bewildered. “My Lord, this is utterly outrageous! Viscountess Athena is clearly at home, yet they deliberately claim she’s not. Are they just trying to make a fool of you?”

Michael had verified that Athena was indeed at home.

‘But what good would that do?’ he thought. ‘If she doesn’t want to see me, even if I force my way in, I still won’t be able to get her medicine.’

He stood at the door, his voice low and resolute. “If Viscountess Athena refuses to see me, then I will wait right here.”

Michael stood before Athena’s door, his expression one of profound earnestness.

Willow sat in the carriage, seething with rage. ‘What kind of farce is this?’ she fumed. ‘He’s the Marquis of Somers-my husband! If anyone saw him standing outside Athena’s door like some lovesick fool, they’d think he’s just begging for humiliation.’

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