The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170

Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Athena remained unfazed, calmly returning their looks.

“If I really wanted to fight over the inheritance, I wouldn’t have waited until now.” After she finished speaking, she looked provocatively at Nicolas and Willow. The latter was so startled by her gaze that she lowered her head, though her eyes darted around restlessly.

Athena said coldly, “If you keep throwing filth at me and falsely accusing me, then I’ll go ahead and live up to the accusation. When that time comes, forget about just ten shops. Even if it’s the entire duke’s estate, I won’t give up a single brick.”

Eloise snapped, “Athena!”

But before she could continue, Margaret’s voice came from inside the room. “The ten shops and two manors were given to Athena by me. If you have anything to say, you can come and question me.”

The curtain was lifted, and Margaret walked out with a cane.

Her authoritative gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard, and all of them lowered their heads.

Nicolas stepped forward and bowed respectfully, “Grandmother, please don’t be angry. I wouldn’t dare.”

Margaret said, “These shops were part of my property. What’s wrong with giving them to my granddaughter?”

Gwen helped Margaret sit down. Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd and lingered briefly on Willow.

Willow shrank her neck and didn’t dare breathe a word.

Eloise shielded her, but also didn’t speak.

Only Henry stepped forward and said to Margaret, “Mother, please calm down. It’s just the children joking around, not to be taken seriously.”

He then gave Nicolas a look. Nicolas said, “It was my careless mouth, Grandmother. Please forgive me.”

Twenty–eight shops and six manors were part of Margaret’s dowry when she married into the duke’s estate. In the early years, she handed these properties over to the family to manage, intending to help out a little.

The money they earned was mostly used for household expenses.

However, the deeds had always been held tightly in Margaret’s hands. If she were angered and gave all the shops to Athena, that would be a major loss.

So both the Duke and Nicolas backed down.

Margaret’s expression was cold as she gave the two of them a warning look. Then she turned her gaze to Athena.

She saw Athena’s little finger was no longer bleeding, but hadn’t yet been bandaged. Her eyes turned wet with heartache.

Gwen, knowing how much Margaret cared for Athena, quickly called out, “Where’s the doctor? He’s still not here?”

Before long, the doctor jogged in carrying a medicine chest.

He stepped forward to greet Margaret, but was stopped. “Go check Athena quickly.”

“Yes,” the doctor answered respectfully and moved to bandage Athena. 1/2

After seeing the wound, a flicker of pity flashed in his eyes.

As he prepared the tools, he said to her, “Lady Athena, please bear with it. I’ll need to cut away the broken nail before applying medicine.”

Athena nodded lightly. “Go ahead. I’m fine.”

The doctor glanced at her and, seeing her calm face, couldn’t help but feel shocked.

Most pampered young ladies would cry for half a day over the tiniest scratch. But Athena hadn’t let out a single cry. Such endurance was rare.

With silent admiration, he picked up the scissors and clipped the broken nail.

During the process, Eloise and Willow were too frightened to look. Both turned pale and furrowed their brows, as if it were their own nails being cut.

Margaret cast a cold glance at Eloise.

As a mother, seeing your child hurt like this, and you can’t even say a word of comfort. All you care about is your foster daughter.

Margaret thought bitterly, “No one even knows what kind of charm that girl has to make you act like this.”

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