From Slave To Queen (by Karyn Anderson) novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Matthew was in excruciating pain, gritting his teeth and trying to tough it out. Little did Matthew expect that Henry would betray him without a second thought

Matthew stared at Henry in terror, choking out broken words, “F–Father Father…”

“Matthew Henry could only utter Matthew’s name before words failed him.

With his head bowed, Henry pleaded to Xander, “Now that they’ve confessed, Your Highness, could you please stop the beating?”

Xander subtly raised his hand, and his attendants instantly ceased their actions.

At this point, both Nicolas and Matthew were a bloody mess, their bodies battered beyond recognition. Blood dripped from their mouths as they coughed and spat, leaving them looking utterly wretched.

“If you’d cooperated sooner, it would have spared me all this trouble, and your precious heir Nicolas wouldn’t have had to suffer for it,” Xander remarked, his tone laced with mockery

Henry, his eyes bloodshot and jaw clenched, admitted his mistake, “It is my failure in guidance that led Matthew to commit such a foolish act. I beg Prince Xander to show mercy and spare his life.”

Xander looked at Athena with a knowing look. “Oh, Duke, you must be joking. This is a family matter in your estate. How could an outsider like me possibly interfere? Now that everything’s been clarified, I shouldn’t impose any longer. Athena, let’s go

Athena turned to her attendants and instructed, “Assist Lady Margaret into the carriage”

Henry was about to protest, but Kander stepped forward, blocking his view “Lady Margaret is unwell and will be cared for by my Princess. Surely the Duke has no objections?” –

“Y–yes, Your Highness,” Henry forced out through gritted tee

Right in front of everyone, Athenia led Margaret out of the duke’s estate.

Athena walked ahead, with Xander following closely behind. His protective stance made it clear he was ensuring her safe departure from the duke’s

Once the two bad leh, the Aegis Guards also cleared out entirely

The sprawling duke’s estate was suddenly left eerily silent.

Henry stared at his two sons, beaten within an inch of their lives, and howled in anguish, “is there no justice left? Has the law abandoned us!”

For all his howling he kept his voice low. After all, there was no knowing who was listening in. If Xander overheard anything else, Henry might be the next one getting beaten.

Nicolas had passed out, but Matthew, clinging to a thread of consciousness, desperately clutched at Henry’s robes. “F–Father how could you be so

Matthew wasn’t an idiot. He understood what Henry was up to. He knew that he was just the pawn being sacrificed to protect Nicolas

Henry’s gr

father?”

shed:

an instant. He slapped Matthew hard across the face. “Look at the foolish things you’ve done! How dare you

still question your

Powerless against Kander and equally helpless with Athena, Henry had no way out. All that pent up fury needed an outlet, and Matthew became his punching bag

i bulging in fury, Matthew bellowed. “Both you and Nicol approved this plan to why the hell am I the only one taking the fall?”

Chapter 228

The moment the words let his mouth, Matthew was overwhelmed by a wave of self–reproach.

Matthew thought to himself, ‘Back when I was a kid and got into trouble, didn’t I always drag Athena in to take the fall for me? Now that I’m the scapegoat, I finally know how unfair this feels. Damn, it hurts.”

But Athena had been taking the fall for them for four or five long years. Back then, Matthew had never thought Athena was being treated unfairly. In his eyes, all those things were merely trivial matters. He used to believe that there was no need to be so stingy. They were family anyway.

“We’re family, Matthew. Why would you say something like that?” The next moment, Henry’s voice pierced Matthew’s ears.

With feigned heartache and an air of utter self–assurance, Henry said, “Or would you rather th

I throw your elder brother Nicolas under the bus instead?”

Matthew’s last shred of spint finally broke. He knew the reason behind it, but it was difficult for him to accept it. Resentment gnawed at him,

He has no official position and is now just an unemployed dritter, so naturally, he’s the one who gets ignored.

Matthew thought bitterly, ‘So this is what it feels like to be betrayed by your own family. It hurts like hell

Matthew finally blacked out.

Henry barely spared Matthew a glance before coldly instructing the servants to carry him back to his quarters. On the other hand, he ordered the physician to bring a medical kit to Nicolas’s room

Finna remained confined to her courtyard, forbidden from stepping outside

“Lady Fiona, Lord Nicolas is injured Serena scurred into the room, her voice reaching them before she did.

Fiona hurriedly tucked the blanket around her child and rushed out of the room. “What happened?” she asked anxiously.

Flona used to love Nicolas, but after seeing how cold and heartless he could be, that love slowly faded away. Even now, just being bear him Bhd her with a bone–chilling dread.

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