The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Athena had known that just going out for a stroll could cause so much trouble, she would never have co

Michael’s words once again pul Athena on the spot

All three pairs of eyes were feed intently an Athensa.

Willow’s gaze, brimming with both reproach and resentment, made Athena extremely uneasy

Instead of contenting Michael, the one who started all this, Willow kept shooting accusing glances at Athena.

Even the warmth in Nicolas’s eyes Laded. He had been trying hard to mediate between them. However, with just a single remark from Michart, the fragile peace between them shattered, plunging their relationship right back to freezing point

Nicolas took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Michael, you must be mistaken. Athens doesn’t care for rabbit decorations. That’s Willow’s favorite.”

Willow nodded ineekly in agreement, her voice barely above a whisper as she pleaded, “Michael, it’s me who likes the rabbit lantern. Please don’t embarrass Athena anymore…

But Michael acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, his stubborn gaze still locked on Athena. He demanded, “Athena, tell me, which one do you actually

Farm’s expression darkened. Michael’s repeated provocations had finally pushed him past his breaking point.

He fixed Michael with an icy stare and declared, “What Athena likes is my concern. Michael, stop coveting what’s not yours. My betrothed is

With that, Ferris wrapped a possessive arm around Athena’s shoulders and pulled her firmly into his embrace, as it marking his territory.

Though frail, Ferris was still a man,

His tight grip made Athena wince, her brows knitting together in discomfort.

Athena met Michael’s burning gaze head–on, her voice icy as she declared, “Michael, you are indeed mistaken, I never liked rabbit decorations, not in the past, not now, and I never will”

Michael’s gaze darkened as he stared at Athena. “So you truly don’t like it at P

Michael was utterly disappointed in Athena at that moment.

He thought, Just for the title, she’s throwing herself into this marriage, fully aware st

she’ll be left a widow.

‘Since when did Athena become so status obsessed?”

“Michael” Willow couldn’t bear the way Michael kept looking at Athena. She gently tugged at his sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears.

A few muffled coughs finally made Michael tear his eyes away from Athena,

Before Michael.could cause another scene, Nicolas quickly dragged him away. “Hurry up, the stalls are packing up soon”

Dragged away by Nicolas and Willow, Michail followed them to a vendor’s stall and bought two decorations.

But just as he was about to pay, Nicolas beat him to it.

To avoid further trouble, Nicolas picked up a rabbit lantern and approached Athena with an ingratiating smile. “Look, Athena, isn’t this rabbit lanter

adorable?”

Nicolas extended the lantern in front of Athena with a gentle smile. “Here, Athena, this is from me.”

13. 13.

Athena didn’t take the lantern, her expression indered as she stated flaily. “I dont like ”

“How could you not like it. Nicolas forced a unile, deliberately falling hack a couple of steps to walk alongside Athena Trying to lighten the mood, he brought up a childhood memory. “Remember when you were little Yourried your eyes out over that rabbit tandem”

When Athena was eight, Nicolas bought her a lantern, only for Willow to demand for

But back then, there was only one rabbit lantern left.

Without waiting for Athena’s response, Nicolas unceremoniously handed the lantern to Willow

Nicolas promised Mhena, “You can have it back once Willow’s had her fun with it.”

Athena waited, I

but even when dawn broke, her little rabbit later was nowhere to be found

When Athens went to ask Willow for her precious rabbit lantern back, she found it had been trampled into pieces.

What Nicolas saw as a lighthearted childhood story was, for Athena, a painful memory she’d rather forget.

Athena’s sudden shift in mood left Nicolas at a loss. He gave her a forced smile and said, “it’s just a silly childhood story. Why take it so seriously?”

“To you, Lord Nicolas, it’s just an amusing childhood tale. But to me… it was a nightmare,” Athena said quietly.

I things apart to clearly in this world? Sometimes, if

Nicolas extended the lantern toward Athena once more. “Athena, you’re a smart girl, surely you understand what I am trying to do.”

Athena thought to herself, ‘How could I not see it? Nicelas is trying to make peace, but at the same time, he’s issuing a warning.

If Ferris were to die someday, as a widow, I’d still need my natal family’s support, the Monson family, wouldn’t 17”

Nicolas was extending an olive branch, but Athens was never one to compromise. She would rather walk her path to the bitter end.

Ahead, Ferns watched the two of them with a puzzled look. Athena smiled at him and said, “Coming”

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11:41 Fri, 27 Jun 08

Chapter 57

Just as Athena was about to rejoin Ferris, a sudden surpe of the crowd swept between them, instantly separating the two

At that moment, Willow was with Michael. As the crowd surged toward them, the insmetely

sched out for his hand, only to grasp at empty

She saw Michael being swept away by the surging crowd, carried farther and farther into the distance.

“Michaell” Willow called out, her voice tinged with urgency

Just as Willow stood frozen in panic, a strong hand suddenly yanked her by the arm.

Willow turned and found herself face to face with Nicolas’s worried expression. He gently pulled her close and said, “Ton’t be scared, v

here.”

Nicolas quickly pulled Willow to a corner against the wall, shielding her tightly behind him to keep her safe from harm Athena found herself jostled onto the bridge, helplessly swept along and pushed back and forth by the surging crowd.

Athena frantically:

ally scanned the sea of faces for any sign of Ferris, but the crowd was so dense she couldn’t make out a thing

More and more people crammed onto the bridge, making the wooden structure sway gently. The railings groaned and creaked under the strain.

The bridge was already at its breaking point, on the verge of collapse at any moment.

Athena was pushed to the edge of the bridge, trapped and unable to move. Then came a loud crack, suddenly her body went weightless, plunging uncontrollably downward

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