The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Finally, Nicolas clenched his jaw and stepped forward. “Granduncles, the destruction of the memorial hall was purely accidental and not Willow’s fault. However, since she was present at the time, she does share some responsibility. I humbly beg you to show mercy in your judgment and deal with her leniently.”

Les glared at Nicolas, his voice icy. “Preposterous! How could mere accideents reduce the memorial hall to ashes? You say she’s innocent, where’s your proof?”

Les’s questioning left Nicolas utterly speechless.

Nicolas slowly shook his head. “None.”

Just then, Athena, who had remained silent throughout, suddenly stepped forward and dropped to her knees.

Athena bowed her head to the ground, her face the picture of remorse. “Granduncles, it was I who gave Willow the oil lamp without Father’s permission. She’s been afraid of the dark since childhood. The fault is entirely mine.”

Athena’s words made Willow’s face instantly pale with panic. She looked at Athena helplessly, stammering, “Athena, you…

you…”

Athena’s words were undoubtedly a slap in the face to Nicolas.

Nicolas’s composure shattered, panic flashing across his face.

Nicolas bellowed, “Athena, how could you harm Willow?”

“Enough!” Les cut Nicolas off sharply, his voice heavy with authority. “The evidence is right before us. Do you still dare to argue?”

“Even if Athena gave her the oil lamp, is there any doubt that Willow was the one who burned down the memorial hall?” Toby’s chest heaved violently with rage.

Henry shut his eyes briefly, knowing there was no way for Willow to escape punishment now.

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the three honored granduncles. “Willow cannot be removed from the family. The Osborne and Monson families have already arranged a marriage alliance. I beg you to show mercy.”

At these words, the three granduncles‘ faces grew grave, the weight of the situation settling heavily over them.

The Monson family was no longer what it once was, and they were well aware of how important this marriage alliance was.

After a moment of deliberation, the three seniors pronounced their judgment. “Though she shall not be expelled from the family, she shall not escape punishment, thirty strokes of the cane, and no intercession shall be permitted.”

The three seniors wielded ultimate authority in the family. Their word was law.

Willow’s face instantly lost all color. ‘Thirty strokes of the cane… That will kill me!‘ she thought in terror.

Willow shot a desperate, pleading look at Eloise, but all Eloise could do was watch her helplessly, tears streaming down her

face.

Even as the Duchess of Suffield, Eloise had no say before the three seniors.

Henry closed his eyes in resignation for a long moment. Then he slowly nodded. “As the three granduncles decree.”

1/2

Chapter 121

Henry thought grimly, ‘If the three granduncles aren’t satisfied today, Willow will surely be expelled from the family registry.

Then, Henry waved his hand toward the attendants and commanded, “Bring forth the cane.”

Before long, two attendants entered, each carrying a heavy punishment cane.

Willow was forced onto the punishment bench, with two servants pinning her down, one at the front, the other at the back.

Athena watched Willow with an indifferent expression, a cruel smile slowly curling at the corners of her lips.

The cane came down with a sickening crack, and Willow’s bloodcurdling scream tore through the great hall.

Her bloodcurdling screams sent chills down everyone’s spines.

By the time all thirty strokes had landed, Willow’s back was a mangled mess of torn flesh and blood.

Willow had already lost consciousness halfway through the punishment, but with the three granduncles silent, no one would dare to intervene.

Only after the beating was finished was Willow’s limp, unconscious body carried back to her quarters.

Eloise had fainted several times from grief and rage. Pointing at Athena with trembling fury, she shouted, “How can you be so cruel? I raised Willow with all my heart and soul, how could you be so hostile toward her?”

Staring coldly at Eloise’s grief–stricken face, Athena enunciated each word with deliberate precision. “Is it really me who can’t tolerate her, or is it her who can’t tolerate me? She’s taken everything from me and still isn’t satisfied. Why did she have to target Grandmother too? Only fools like you would believe such blatant lies.”

After speaking, Athena let out a sharp breath, her lips curling into a chilling smile. “If she dares cross me again, I’ll make sure she doesn’t live to regret it.”

2/2