The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 133

hapter 133

Though Aliza might well deserve to die, she was carrying the Monson bloodline, so Eloise had no choice but to step in.

The servants rushed forward and pried Matthew off. Having narrowly escaped death, Aliza clutched her throat and coughed violently, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to breathe.

Chaos reigned in the hall, yet Athena sat calmly on her stool, watching the drama unfold.

Henry’s face darkened like a thundercloud. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, glaring at Matthew with gritted teeth.

He couldn’t kill her, nor could he let her live.

This left Henry truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

At a loss, Eloise could only sigh in resignation and order the servants to lock Aliza in the woodshed and keep her under close watch.

The few who remained continued their deliberation in the main hall.

Yet Athena remained.

Eloise’s gaze at Athena darkened with disapproval as she thought, ‘How could she stay so calm at a time like this?

‘Even if this mess has nothing to do with her, that icy indifference is truly chilling.

‘She could at least put in a good word for Matthew.

‘He’s her own brother, after all.‘

“Athena, you must be tired. Go rest in your room now,” Eloise said wearily.

Eloise intended to dismiss her. For once, Athena spoke up. “Since things have come to this, perhaps it’s best to quietly make her a concubine to silence the wagging tongues. Secrets have wings. Sooner or later, word will get out.”

Those noble families appeared closely connected on the surface, but in truth, they were all secretly scheming to bring each other down.

Matthew’s scandal was a spark. Those powerful families would seize this chance to forever brand the Monson family with disgrace.

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Henry shot Athena a displeased glare. “You sure know how to make glib remarks,” he snapped. “If we take that wretched maid as a concubine, wouldn’t that mean acknowledging her status?”

Athena spread her hands and retorted, “What else can we do now?”

Henry was left speechless. He truly had no other option.

Eloise turned to Nicolas, her eyes filled with helplessness, only to find him deep in thought, clearly weighing Athena’s words with utmost seriousness.

Nicolas’s eyes met Eloise’s, and in that silent moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them.

Eloise turned to Trina, her voice hardening with command. “Escort your mistress back to her quarters.”

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Her tone brooked no argument.

Athena had no desire to listen further. With Trina in tow, she rose and left.

The moment Athena left, Eloise turned urgently to Nicolas and demanded, “What were you about to say?”

Nicolas leaned back with an air of absolute confidence. “Let that despicable maid bear the child, why not? When the time comes, we’ll just say the child is from my concubine. Don’t we need an heir anyway?”

His words carried a hidden meaning. Both Eloise and Henry were instantly jolted, their eyes widening as they suddenly realized what he meant.

Given Ferris’s frail health, it was unlikely Athena would be able to give the Mcgee family an heir.

It would be perfect to have this child adopted as Athena’s own when the time came. That way, they could kill two birds with

one stone.

Eloise let out a sigh of relief, only to immediately furrow her brows again. “But what if it’s a girl?”

Nicolas said dismissively, “There are plenty of unused manors on the estate, just send them off to one of them. That wretched maid must not be allowed to live. We will find some pretext to dispose of her. As for the child…”

Nicolas turned to Matthew, as if waiting for his response.

Matthew snorted dismissively. “What good is the child anyway? Still, she’s got Monson blood in her veins. Let her rot away on the estate.”

With the three of them now in agreement, Eloise felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She looked at Nicolas, her eyes filled with guilt. “This has been unfair to you,” she said.

“As long as it’s for the Monson family, a little hardship for your son is nothing,” Nicolas declared with solemn dignity. “First, keep that maid under strict watch. We’ll decide what to do after she gives birth.”

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