Chapter 167: Visiting Mr. Thorne VI

The silence in the room had become unbearable for Athena, suffocating even, as she sat amidst the palpable tension.

Old Mr. Thorne and his wife, Florence, both seemed to stare into the depths of their own thoughts, looking down not just at the plush carpet beneath their feet but into the chasms of their grief.

They wore expressions that reflected a complex mix of emotions—downcast yet somehow angry. Athena couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration directed at Victoria.

How could she be so insensitive as to bring up such an unreasonable question? Where had Cedric found such an oblivious woman?

She exchanged furtive glances with the kids, seated nearby and clearly as confused and uncomfortable as she was.

Inhaling deeply, she opened her mouth to suggest an exit for herself and her children, but before she could speak, Old Mr. Thorne’s voice cut her short.

"My Emily was poisoned. She and her husband. They were poisoned with my own poison, right in my own house. I have never stopped blaming myself."

Athena furrowed her brows, grappling with the weight of his words and their shocking implications.

echoed, her confusion evident. The phrase sent chill bumps across her skin, igniting an intense curiosity

that had been used on Fiona’s friends?" Old Mr. Thorne continued, and Athena nodded slowly, gripped by the grim narrative unfolding before her. She felt Florence tighten her grip on

daughter and her husband. I kept the poison around as a keepsake, remnants from a trip to one of the middlebelt countries. After their death, I held onto it as a memorial—a reminder of my foolishness for not listening

voice a soft echo of concern and heartache, but Old Mr. Thorne was on a roll now, lost in the torrent of

After months of being unavailable, burdened with work, they finally came for a visit. My daughter especially had been out of my sight for nearly a year, and I was desperate to spend time with her. They agreed to stay, even though they weren’t entirely comfortable with the presence of the entire Thorne family. My Emily was an introvert, and she

the house, but I was too tired—having had too much to drink and feeling oddly euphoric—to act on it. The morning brought the horrifying shock of a maid’s scream, waking me from a peaceful slumber

night, I might have caught the person who did this. If I had heeded my wife, I wouldn’t

up, her heart aching at the somber atmosphere that wrapped around them like a heavy blanket. "We all make mistakes sometimes; it’s what makes

been able to uncover the identity of the perpetrators. One of the guards confessed

one of your family members?"

one I allow here is Cedric. His parents sent him to

Parents sending their only son to live with a relative? Obviously, they wanted Old Mr. Thorne to groom him to take

to us now, which is why he can be here. As for his fiancée—that’s another matter. I honestly don’t know where he found such a materialistic woman..." Old Mr. Thorne shook his head tiredly, leaning against the plush

children, I would have spoiled them rotten. But here I am..." He paused, and opened his

said with a gentle pat on their heads, for Kate was nestled at his right,

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