The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317

Two days later, the matter finally settled

Eloise admitted to framing Kurtis and even hiring a killer to cover up her crimes.

The case went straight to Arthur. With all witnesses and evidence in hand, Leonard was sentenced to death, his execution set for

Yet before his sentence could be carried out. Leonard committed suicide by smashing his head against the cell wall.

As for Eloise, she also received the death sentence.

Framing a revered general was a capital offense. No pleas for leniency would be entertained.

The sudden reversal in Kurtis’s conviction took everyone by surprise.

It immediately caused quite a stir.

Athena couldn’t comprehend why Leonard had killed himself before the verdict was even delivered.

Why did he have to die at this critical moment? What was he trying to hide! Athena wondered.

It seemed that only Eloise knew the rest of the matter.

When Athena arrived, she found Eloise huddled in the corner, staring vacantly at the ceiling

Back in her days of wealth and privilege, Eloise was particular about her clothes and jewelry. Even the slightest discomfort in the fabric would have her complaining nonstop.

Yet now, she wore nothing but the coarse garments of a condemned prisoner, awaiting her execution.

It was a cruel twist of fate.

The sound of footsteps snapped Eloise back to her senses. Her face lit up as she looked eagerly toward the cell door and cried out, “Willow, is that you? Willow?”

Eloise rushed to the bars, but the moment she saw who stood outside her cell, her smile froze.

“What are you doing here?” Eloise spat, her voice dripping with disdain.

Instead of Willow, the one she’d been longing to see, it was Athena who appeared.

Athena couldn’t miss the disappointment flashing in Eloise’s eyes as the jailer unlocked the cell door to let her in

Trina followed closely behind Athena, carrying a food container.

Once inside, Trina carefully unpacked the food hamper, arranging each dish on the table,

Eloise fixed Athena with a look of pure hatred. “What are you doing here? Come to gloat over my

People said that a dying person’s words would be kind.

But Athena saw no trace of kindness in Eloise–only pure, unadulterated hatred.

downfall?”

She finally dropped the act. This was the real Eloise, not the one who would put on that pitiful act and feign sincerity.

Athena glanced around the cell All she saw was straw covering the floor. There was not even a blanket or bedding in sight.

Eloise’s body was riddled with bruises, her hair wild, her face streaked with grime.

Athena let out a bitter chuckle. “I just don’t understand. Why do you hate me so much? If you never wanted me, why did you bother giving birth to me in the first place?”

The enticing aroma of the food on the table filled the air. Ravenously hungry. Eloise snatched up a fork and began devouring the meal

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Chapter 317

without pause.

Eloise sneered between bites, her voice dripping with contempt. “No reason. I simply loathe

you.

That’s all”

Eloise spoke without a shred of remorse, as if Athena were nothing more than a worthless trinket to her

If she didn’t want her, she could just cast her aside.

Athena thought bitterly, ‘It would be a lie to say I wasn’t heartbroken. What daughter could endure such hatred from her own mother?

Athena felt a bitter taste rise in her throat; her heart ached so fiercely she could barely breathe.

Athena took a few steadying breaths, picked up the wine flask, and poured a drink for Eloise. “Whatever your reasons for hating me. I no longer care. Let me see you through your final journey, and then let bygones be bygones.”

Athena thought, Death extinguishes all. Once someone is gone, all grudges and resentments vanish, just like a lamp going out.”

Eloise paused mid–bite. When she looked up at Athena, her eyes had welled up with unshed tears.

But it lasted only a moment before vanishing.

She lowered her head and devoured the food ravenously, wolfing it down as if only by stuffing her empty stomach could she find even a moment of solace

Athena simply watched her in silence, her eyes revealing nothing.

She thought. Truth be told, I am not sure whether I hate Eloise or not.

I just feel it is my duty to see her through her final moments.

Eloise slowly set down her silverware, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and said coldly, “Leave. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“Alright.” Athena slowly rose to her feet and walked out.

Just then, Eloise’s desperate voice called after her, “Willow. I want to see Willow!”

Athena shot Eloise a startled look, only to see her eyes bloodshot and welling with tears, desperate hope etched on her face.

It was surprising that the one she wanted to see was Willow.

When Athena came to visit, Eloise lashed out at her with vicious words

Yet even in death, the one she cared about most was still Willow.

Athena gave a bitter, self–deprecating smile and strode out of the cell.

Eloise lunged at the bars, her voice raw with desperation as she screamed after her, “I want to see Willow! I want to see my daughter…”

Even as Athena walked out of the cell, she could still hear Eloise’s anguished cries echoing behind her.

Trina huffed indignantly, “Lady Athena, you really shouldn’t have come to see her. Why subject yourself to such torment?”

Athena looked lost in thought and mused softly, “Trina, tell me. Why would a mother not love her own child?”

Trina thought for a moment and replied, “Maybe she didn’t like the child’s father, so she didn’t like the child either.”

But then Trina shook her head, “No, that doesn’t add up. Lady Eloise truly loved Lord Henry. I heard that when she married him, she did so quite willingly

Athena glanced at Trina, a fleeting insight flashing through her mind. However, it was gone before she could catch it

Her gut told her there must be a secret she didn’t know about.

Athena thought, If it’s a well–kept secret, then it must be something none of us would know about

A sudden thought struck Athena. Perhaps she should ask Margaret.

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Chapter 317

“Back to the manor, now! Athena urged anxiously.

The carriage sped up, swiftly reaching Athena’s manor.

Athena got off the carriage and made a beeline for Margaret’s quarters.

To Athena’s surprise. Margaret seemed to have anticipated her visit. Gwen was already waiting at the entrance on her orders.

“Lady Athena,” Gwen said with a warm smile, “Her Ladyship asked me to wait here for you.

Athena looked surprised. ‘Grandmother actually knew I was coming?”

Gwen chuckled as she led Athena inside. “Indeed,” she said warmly.

Once they entered the chamber, Gwen withdrew.

Inside the chamber, Margaret sat quietly in her armchair.

Today, she seemed a little out of place. She had unexpectedly changed into full ceremonial robes, with the official headdress of a noble woman on her head

Athena stared at her in surprise. Margaret simply smiled and beckoned her closer. “Come here, Athena,” she said.

Perhaps it was the lighting, but Athena noticed Margaret’s face looked slightly ashen.

Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Athena didn’t dwell on it and took the seat to Margaret’s right.

Athena looked at Margaret, and said softly in puzzlement, “Grandmother, is there something you want to tell me?”

Margaret nodded, her expression complicated as she gazed at Athena, as if trying to etch her face permanently into her memory.

Athena obediently took her seat. Margaret, noticing her tense expression, forced a faint, strained smile and said softly, “Athena, you must be wondering how I knew you were coming?”

“Yes,” Athena replied with a gentle nod.

“Athena, have you also wondered why Eloise has always treated you so cruelly?”

“Grandmother, please enlighten me.”

Margaret gazed at Athena for a long moment, her expression unreadable, before finally saying, “Actually, you have an aunt,”

Athena’s eyes widened in astonishment. “But why has Grandfather never mentioned her?”

Margaret raised her hand slightly, signaling Athena to remain silent. Swallowing down all her burning questions. Athena could only listen patiently as Margaret spoke.

Margaret said, “General Perkins has two daughters. Your aunt, Vania Perkins, was Eloise’s twin sister. She and my son grew up together, and after they married, they were blissfully happy. At that time, your father was merely an unfavored son in the family, sent away to be

raised in Nexalasia.

As Athena listened, she felt everything in her mind suddenly click into place.

All those scattered images clicked together, forming a coherent picture. The truth was now within reach.

E