The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 131

Everyone stood frozen in shock at Henry’s actions. For Eloise to be publicly slapped like that was the ultimate humiliation, her dignity ground into the dirt.

Yet Henry’s fury was far from spent.

Jabbing a finger right at her nose, Henry roared, “Like mother, like son! I warned you time and again not to spoil the children, but look at them now, unruly and shameless, doing such disgraceful things. They’ve brought nothing but shame upon the Monson family! How could you let things get this out of hand?”

Eloise’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. She didn’t dare utter a word, clenching her teeth to stifle any sob that might

escape.

Normally, Nicolas was always the first to defend Eloise. But now, with a darkened expression, he stayed silent. Frustrated and helpless, he finally said, “Matthew was up for a crucial promotion, but after such a disgraceful scandal, I’m afraid that’s completely off the table now.”

With that, Nicolas slammed his fist down on the table, seething with anger.

It was unclear whether Nicolas was more furious with Eloise or with Matthew’s ruined career prospects.

With bloodshot eyes, Eloise glared at Aliza, the culprit behind it all. The usual gentleness in her gaze was replaced by murderous intent. “Guards!” she spat. “Drag this vile wretch out and beat her to death!”

Great noble houses valued their reputation above all else. They typically treated their servants with remarkable leniency, rarely resorting to punishment.

All this was precisely to avoid gaining a reputation for mistreating servants.

This served two purposes. first, to cultivate an image of kindness and magnanimity, second, to deliberately keep a low profile so as not to incur the Emperor’s displeasure.

Thus, they had to act with utmost caution in all matters, daring not to make the slightest misstep.

Today, however, Eloise was driven to the point of murderous rage, a clear testament to just how deeply this scandal had enraged her.

Aliza’s head jerked up in terror, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at Eloise.

Aliza frantically shook her head, dropping to her knees and pleading, “Mercy, my lady! Spare me just this once, I beg you!”

“Drag her out!” Eloise snapped, her face ashen with rage, her tone leaving no room for dissent.

Aliza turned desperately to Matthew, her eyes pleading for help.

However, once Matthew sobered up, he could have kicked himself with regret. ‘What the hell was I thinking?‘ he cursed inwardly.

Matthew was barely keeping his own head above water, there was no way he’d stick his neck out for a maid like Aliza.

With a dismissive wave, Matthew delivered a stinging slap across Aliza’s face. Feigning righteousness, he snarled, “If you hadn’t deliberately seduced me, how could a gentleman like myself have done something so disgraceful? Killing you would be too merciful, you deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces!”

Knocked to the ground by the blow, Aliza spat out a mouthful of bloody teeth.

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Aliza stared blankly at the ground, utterly crushed as a wave of bitter despair welled up from her heart.

Aliza thought bitterly, ‘I guess I really brought this on myself. I deserve everything that’s happened to me.

Suddenly, as if struck by a desperate thought, Aliza turned to Athena. With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, “Miss Monson, please, I beg you, save me! Though our bond was never deep, I did serve you faithfully for a time.”

Athena regarded her with a cool, indifferent gaze, a faint smirk playing on her lips as she remained silent.

Trina stepped in front of Aliza, blocking her view, and said sharply, “Miss Monson has always gone easy on you because you were Lady Eloise’s maid. She’s treated you with nothing but kindness and never once embarrassed you in public.

“But look at you! See what you’ve done. You and Siena are constantly sneaking around, who knows what shady business you’re up to out there!

To even mention the bond is ridiculous. I’m ashamed for you!

“You’re never satisfied, always eyeing what’s not yours! Just because your father’s the butler here, you strut around with your nose in the air, looking down on everyone else. There’s no room in your heart for anyone but yourself!

“You’re so obsessed with becoming a concubine to one of the masters, always dreaming of climbing the social ladder. You already act like you’re some high–ranking concubine, so when have you ever truly served my lady with any real devotion?

“Don’t think we don’t know about all those disrespectful looks you’ve given my lady behind her back!”

Athena couldn’t help but glance at Trina. She thought, ‘Not bad.’

Chapter 132