The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 244

hapter 244

All eyes in the room were fixed on Henry.

As the head of the family, his word was law.

Margaret made no scene, only fixing Henry with her reproachful gaze.

Seeing her like this, Henry’s heart ached as if stabbed.

He didn’t want the duke’s estate torn apart, nor did he want to sever ties with Margaret.

Most importantly, Margaret would take Athena away if they broke off relations.

“Then what about the marriage alliance with the Mcgee family?‘ Henry thought. ‘Wouldn’t all our plans be for nothing?‘

He gritted his teeth, eyes red with tears, and pleaded with Margaret, “Mother, I beg you, please don’t make us sever our ties. You’re my mother…”

His anguished cry of “Mother” was heart–rending, and Margaret’s heart ached in response.

‘He’s my son,‘ she thought painfully. ‘How can I bear to sever ties with the son I’ve raised for decades? But if I don’t take this step, Athena will have no way out!

Steeling herself, Margaret shook her head. “We must sever ties,” she declared.

Eloise paled as she saw Margaret’s resolve. Her eyes were red–rimmed as she turned to Henry.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down Henry’s face.

For Margaret, all he felt now was guilt.

After a long pause, Henry closed his eyes, then nodded. “Alright, Mother. I’ll do as you ask.”

Margaret exhaled a sigh of relief, though it felt like someone had carved a piece of her heart away.

With weary resignation, she gazed at Henry and nodded slowly. “From this day forth, all bonds between us are severed. We shall have no further contact. Athena remains with me, and you shall have no say in her affairs.”

Hearing that, Eloise turned to Henry, her face twisted with grief, and sobbed, “Margaret, Athena is my daughter. You can’t just cut her off from us like this.”

Eloise felt a blade of pain pierce her heart, leaving her gasping for air.

Pounding her chest, she wept uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face.

Willow stood beside her, tears streaming down her face. “Mother…”

She wanted to say more, but Margaret’s imposing gaze made her shrink back in fear, the words dying on her lips.

Even her tears were forced back.

Without Eloise shielding her, Willow would have been expelled from the duke’s estate long ago.

Margaret loathed her to the core.

1/2

Chapter 244

Eloise thought Willow was showing concern for her. Seeing Willow’s tear–swollen eyes, she felt somewhat comforted.

As for Athena, she remained stone–faced from start to finish.

Eloise could immediately tell who was close to her and who wasn’t.

Eloise and Willow put on a show of mother–daughter affection in the hall, while Margaret felt utterly weary as she watched.

“I will present the official document of severance to the authorities. From this day forward, we go our separate ways. Athena, let’s go,” Margaret declared wearily.

With that, she rose to her feet, took Athena by hand, and prepared to leave.

At that moment, Nicolas rose to his feet.

Gone was his earlier grief, replaced by an eerily detached gaze as he looked at Margaret. “Grandmother,” Nicolas said, “do you truly care so little for our familial bonds that you would tear the duke’s estate apart?”

Nicolas’s abrupt change of demeanor left Margaret momentarily stunned.

She stared at him, puzzled, and asked, “What do you mean by this?”

Nicolas’s expression darkened like storm clouds. He spoke in a measured, icy tone, “I refuse.”

Athena stepped forward, shielding Margaret behind her. She asked, “What exactly do you refuse?”

Nicolas maintained a composed facade, but deep down, he had a dark and calculating nature.

Personal gain always came first for him, and family meant nothing to him.

So when Margaret’s decision to sever ties and split the family threatened his interests, it was only natural for him to react that way.

Henry also looked at Nicolas with visible bewilderment, yet held his tongue.

Nicolas continued, “As the heir to the Monson family, I must bring prosperity to our family. Grandmother, you’ve been mistaken all along. My father and I weighed every decision before acting.

“Severing family ties is out of the question. I won’t allow anyone to divide the duke’s estate into two.”

2/2