The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Chapter 101

Athena’s piercing gaze struck Nicolas like a dagger to the chest.

He vividly recalled forcing Athena to kneel in the rain as punishment that night.

But this time was different. He saw it with his own eyes.

ར རྟ་ཆ་ཌཱ་ཝ་རྡུ

Nicolas was certain that was Athena who pushed Willow into the river.

But under Athena’s dagger–sharp gaze, Nicolas couldn’t help but doubt himself. ‘Could what I saw really be wrong?‘ he wondered.

Athena insisted that Willow had fallen into the river by herself.

Nicolas thought, ‘Isn’t that utterly ridiculous?

‘Who in their right mind would deliberately throw themselves into a river and gamble with their life?

‘Besides, Willow is so sweet and kind–hearted, she could never do such a vicious thing.’

Nicolas composed himself and turned to Athena. “Stop making excuses. Is it really that hard to just admit you were wrong?”

“What exactly did I do wrong?” Athena’s eyes grew even colder as she faced these so–called relatives, her heart filling with growing disillusionment.

Just as the argument was at its height, a deep voice cut in, it was Michael. “Stop arguing. This has nothing to do with Athena.”

As soon as the words were spoken, all eyes in the room snapped toward Michael.

Athena stared at Michael with an unreadable expression. ‘What’s gotten into him? He’s actually taking my side?‘ she thought.

The sarcasm in Athena’s eyes irked Michael, but he kept his temper in check. “Willow lost her footing and fell into the river herself. If you don’t believe me, Lady Eloise, you can ask Willow yourself.”

“Willow’s awake?” Eloise exclaimed in surprise.

Michael gave a curt nod. “She’s awake.”

An apologetic smile flickered across Lady Eloise’s face as she cast an awkward glance at Athena.

Athena’s face remained stony, her expression showing not the slightest flicker of emotion.

At that moment, Eloise realized she had indeed wronged Athena today.

To break the awkward silence, Eloise stepped in as the peacemaker. “We’re all family. No need to fuss over such things.”

As if putting on a show for Athena, Eloise smiled gently and said, “Nicolas has always doted on you and Willow since you were little. No matter who was wronged, he’d always stand up for you. Today, he just made a mistake in the heat of the moment because Willow nearly lost her life. Athena, if you’re upset, take it out on me instead of blaming your brother.”

She tried to appeal to Athena’s emotions.

When they were kids, Nicolas was indeed fiercely protective of Athena, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone upsetting her.

1/2

But whenever Willow was involved, his heart always sided with her.

Athena had long seen through their hypocrisy, so when Eloise tried to make amends, her expression remained stone cold.

With a cold sneer, Athena retorted, “Lord Nicolas, if you can’t even handle your own family’s affairs, how can you possibly be trusted as Deputy Minister of Justice? One day, you’ll probably get betrayed and not even realize it.”

Athena’s offhand remark made Nicolas’s face darken instantly.

He suddenly shot to his feet, his face contorted with rage as he jabbed a finger at Athena’s face. Through gritted teeth, he enunciated each word. “Say that again.”

His expression suggested he’d tear Athena limb from limb if she dared say another word.

Nicolas’s sudden outburst of rage startled Eloise.

Eloise hurried to calm Nicolas down, then turned to Athena with pleading eyes. “Athena, please. Don’t provoke your brother any further…”

Judging by her expression, Eloise seemed to have something she couldn’t quite bring herself to say.

But Athena was never one to back down. She took a bold step forward, meeting Nicolas’s murderous glare head–on. “You’re the one at fault here, not me,” she said coldly, “Why should I swallow my pride? Besides, you wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.”

Nicolas’s face darkened with rage. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, “Don’t think that just because you have the Mcgee family’s backing now, I can’t touch you.”

Athena let out a cold, mirthless laugh. “Oh really?”