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.

own poison?" She echoed, her confusion evident. The phrase sent chill bumps across her skin, igniting

by the grim narrative unfolding before her. She felt Florence tighten her grip

my 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 to my instincts,

Florence whispered, her voice a soft echo of concern and heartache, but Old Mr.

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 married another introvert—they detested

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

I wouldn’t have kept such a deadly poison around, even if it was supposedly secured in a safe. Twice it has been breached. Twice, two sets of people died before I finally learned my lesson. I am

heart aching at the somber atmosphere that wrapped around

confessed being behind the murder, but later, it reeked of being a setup. The

you think it’s one of your family members?" Athena asked, the

stopped entertaining family in my home. The only one I allow here is Cedric. His parents sent him to live with us while he was

Obviously, they wanted Old Mr. Thorne

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 cushion behind

Emily had been allowed to have children, I would have spoiled them rotten. But

Kathleen and Nathaniel, with or without adoption papers, are my children." He said with a gentle pat on their heads,

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