Chapter 604
“I’d say it’s about three or four miles”
At this point, Ansel also sensed something amiss. He frowned and said, “That doesn’t add up. Even hunters wouldn’t live so spread out, especially in such a desolate wilderness. Wouldn’t they be afraid of predator attacks p>
Even seasoned hunters would be no match for a wolf pack.
If the hunters were fully
ly aware of the dangers, it didn’t make sense for them to live so far a
rapart.
Athena snapped out of her dare, “You mean those hunters are connetted to the gold mine p>
Xander said gravely. “Athena, don’t you find your mother’s death suspicious? She was perfectly fine, yet suddenly had an accident here. This gold are must have been hastily buried with her, Clearly, someone wanted to cover up the real cause of her death. That’s why they acted this way p>
Athena drew a sharp breath. This possibility had indeed crossed her mind.
But she had no proof,
Eloise had only admitted to causing Vania’s death, but she kept the rest of the details to herself.
Athena thought, “This gold mine is definitely tied to Mother’s death.
Athena’s mind was a tangled mess of clues, each one tightening the knot of confusion in her heart.
“The more frantic I get, the less I can make sense of anything! Athena thought.
Xander’s low, grave voice rang in her ear. “I suspect someone was searching for the location of the gold mine. Your mother accidentally discovered this secret and was caught. In her panic to escape, her carriage plunged off the cliff in her final moments, she gave birth to you and took that secret to her
“Those so–called hunters came to Stone Hill for one purpose only, which was to find the gold mine p>
Just like that, everything clicked into place.
Athena felt as if her bones had been ripped out–her body went limp as she staggered back a step,
Eloise claimed she had nothing to do with Vania’s death.
Athena wondered who would be responsible for it.
She thought, “ Could it be Henry!
‘Henry was secretly harboring remnants of the previous empire. To help Nicolas restore the former empire, he would need immense wealth.
‘ With a gold mine at his disposal, Henry would be unstoppable,
‘Daniel and Loretta had been secretly working for Nicolas all along
“They knew there was a gold Imine hidden somewhere in Stone Hill, but after all these years, it had always eluded them.
“Vania’s accidental discovery became her death warrant
Athena let out a bi
bitter, mirthless laugh. She thought, Do Fermin and the Queen have a hand in this too?
Her eyes turned terrifyingly cold, burning with a desperate resolve. Even if it meant her own ruin, she was determined to bring Fermin and the Queen down with her. She wished she could tear them both limb from limb.
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10:12 Mon, 28 Jul WGO
Chapter 604
Now it all makes sense why Margaret insisted that Athena had to marry Kander event leave Pidence City
Athena thought, ‘Grandmother knew I’d be in danger.
‘Fermin and the Queen are utterly ruthless. If they ever learned the location of the gold mine, they’d stop at nothing.
“To protect me, Grandmother had no choice but to take poison and end her own life
Athena was seized by a bone–deep chill, her teeth chattering uncontrollably
So many lives lost all because of their insatiable greed.
But the real culprits were still walking free, unpunished.
Worse yet, Fermin might even be named Crown Prince.
Athena let out a bitter, mirthless laugh. “Prince Fermin and the Queen must have been conspiring with Henry. They were all using each other, desperate to get their hands on the gold mine. My mother stumbled upon it by accident. That’s why they had her silenced permanently p>
Xander gave a solemn nod, steadying Athena’s trembling form with firm hands.
Athena said through gritted teeth, “Grandmother told me to stay away from Pidence City and stop digging for the truth. But both she and my mother died because of this. If I can’t avenge them, I don’t deserve to live in this world p>
Athena’s anguish and utter breakdown tore at Xander’s heart like a thousand knives.
Xander gathered her close and said firmly, “Whatever you decide, I’ll stand with you p>
Athena fixed her icy gaze on Pidence City, murderous intent blazing in her eyes. “I will drag Prince Fermin and the Queen down from power and force them to apologize before my mother’s grave p>
AD
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.