The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 239

It was my greed that had ruined me,‘ she thought.

Athena’s eyes were devoid of warmth as she looked calmly at Aliza. “The child you’re carrying is just a bargaining chip for them. Once it’s born, you’ll be useless to them.”

She tilted her head toward the door, as if showing Aliza the way out. “The gate’s right there. Aren’t you going to run?”

The woodshed adjoined the backyard, separated from the outside world by just a wall.

After two months of confinement, Aliza felt trapped in a living hell.

She survived on cold leftovers and slept on piles of firewood.

Every night, rats would scurry over her body.

Sometimes, when she couldn’t bring herself to eat the scraps, rats would steal them instead, leaving her hungry.

Aliza looked between Athena and the bright daylight outside. Then, without a second thought, she turned and ran.

Athena gave a cold chuckle before turning away.

The matrons guarding the backyard saw Aliza dash out and were about to stop her, but Athena’s voice cut through the air. “Let her go.”

The two matrons hesitated, but Athena brandished her axe menacingly.

Terrified, the matrons squeezed their eyes shut and turned away.

Aliza shot Athena a grateful look before fleeing the scene.

After finishing everything, Athena finally made her way to the front courtyard.

By the time she arrived, everyone was already assembled inside.

There were Henry, whose face flushed with rage, Nicolas, features dark as a thundercloud, Matthew, who looked visibly guilty, and the ever–hypocritical Eloise.

Next to Eloise, Willow was still sniveling theatrically.

The mother and daughter clung to each other like tragic protagonists in a cheap melodrama.

2

Athena’s eyes glinted with derision as she strode in and fixed her gaze on Willow. “No one’s forcing you to die,” she sneered. “Who’s this daily melodramatic act for?”

As Athena stepped inside, the guards swiftly seized the axe from her grasp.

Now weaponless, she seemed to pose little physical threat to them.

However, Willow trembled dramatically, shrinking into Eloise’s arms as she looked at Athena with exaggerated timidity, like a helpless lamb.

Tears streamed down her cheeks in continuous rivulets.

1/2

Chapter 239

Nicolas’s expression darkened as he clenched his fists and snapped, “Athena, what exactly are you trying to do?”

He’d already heard from the servants in the morning about everything Athena had done, like smashing through the gate, storming out of the courtyard in a frenzy, and even letting Aliza escape.

Eloise’s heart churned with unease. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Athena’s gaze.

She is too calm, eerily calm, Eloise thought. ‘If Athena had raged or lashed out, I would have known how to respond!

But Athena bottled up all that hurt, anger, and resentment, like a boiling pot of oil waiting for a single drop of water, and no one could predict when that drop would fall.

Henry looked utterly exhausted. He hadn’t slept a wink last night because of Athena.

The Mcgee family was demanding that he hand her over. ‘If it weren’t for the guards, Ferris would have barged in already he thought.

He had to admit, Matthew and Willow were at fault when it came to Macy’s death.

But then, he thought, ‘She was just a lowly maid. So what if she’s dead? Why is Athena treating us like mortal enemies? Does Athena expect Matthew to pay with his life for some worthless servant?‘

Henry gritted his teeth, a muscle twitching at the corner of his eye.

Yet for the household’s stability, he decided to placate Athena first. “Athena, name your demands. I know you were close to that maid. But no matter how deep your bond, it can’t compare to family ties, don’t you agree?

“Do this for my sake. Let Matthew pay for a proper coffin for the maid, and let’s put this matter to rest.”

Eloise also forced a strained smile. “That’s right, Athena…”

Athena’s lips curled into a fleeting, mirthless smile.

Then, she snatched the cup from the table and smashed it onto the floor with all her might.

2/2