The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

She lifted her gaze and looked straight at Willow–sure enough, tears were already streaming down her face.

“Lord Osborne, instead of wasting your concern on an outsider like me, maybe worry about your own fiancée. Look, she’s crying again.”

Athena had to admit, Willow had a real talent for turning on the waterworks. Her timing was flawless, and the tears came just right–pitiful and delicate, like a weeping flower in the wind. The kind of crying that tugged on heartstrings and drew sympathy like a magnet.

Only then did Michael seem to remember Willow was still standing there. Just as expected, her face was streaked with tears.

He gave her an apologetic look. “Let me walk Athena back to her courtyard. I’ll come find you afterward.”

With that, he grabbed Athena’s wrist and started to lead her away, brushing right past Matthew’s attempt to intervene.

But just then, a calm, unhurried voice cut in, bringing him to a halt. “And where exactly are you taking Lady Athena, Lord Osborne?”

Athena looked up to see a tall, lean man stepping into their path.

He was strikingly handsome, with sharp, refined features. His narrow, almond–shaped eyes held a faint, unreadable smile- but there was a chill behind it, a kind of dangerous edge. Arrogance radiated from him, and the challenge in his gaze was obvious.

Everyone around them fell silent and lowered their heads the moment they saw him.

Michael, however, merely smiled and greeted him. “So Lord Ray has time for leisure today. I didn’t expect to see you at the Monson family.”

The man he addressed was Ray, the crown prince of the Mcgee family.

Athena looked at him in surprise. She hadn’t seen him in years, and he’d changed so much she almost didn’t recognize him. If not for the small red mole under his eye, she might’ve missed him entirely.

Ray gave her a warm, casual smile. “My mother sent me to find you. I didn’t expect to catch you here.”

Athena quickly pulled her hand free from Michael’s grip and offered Ray a grateful nod. “Apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”

She glanced down at her muddied clothes in embarrassment.

Without missing a beat, Ray took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. “Allow me to walk you back.”

This time, Athena didn’t refuse. She thanked him softly and turned to head back to her courtyard, Ray following behind.

The two of them walked away–one after the other. Michael stood frozen, watching her leave, his face dark as thunder.

Behind him, Willow’s quiet sobbing continued, needling at his nerves.

Matthew tried to comfort her in a low voice, but the more he consoled, the harder she cried.

Left with no other option, he turned to Michael and said, “Why don’t you walk Willow back? She’s really upset.”

He thought he was helping Michael save face, giving him a graceful exit.‘ But instead, Michael turned his icy stare toward

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Chapter 57

Joseph. “Was it you who pushed her?”

He ignored Willow completely–and was now standing up for Athena.

Joseph was caught off guard. “I didn’t mean to,” he stammered. “How was I supposed to know she’d fall so easily? I just gave

her a little shove…”

Michael took a step forward, his voice calm but cold. “Is that so?”

Before anyone could react, he raised his foot and drove it straight into Joseph’s chest.

Splash! Joseph flew backward into the pond.

Just moments ago, Athena had been the one drenched in mud–now it was Joseph’s turn.

Matthew’s face darkened instantly. “Michael, what is the meaning of this? Are you seriously standing up for Athena?”

He could stomach Michael ignoring Willow’s tears–but to strike Joseph in public? That was nothing short of humiliation.

Willow looked up, stunned. Her tear–filled eyes locked on Michael, wide with disbelief. “Michael…?”

But Michael didn’t even look at her. His expression was still ice–cold. “You all knew exactly what Athena was walking into today,” he said, his voice low and cutting. “And not one of you stepped in to stop it. And this is what you call caring for her?”

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