The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 262

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Chapter 262

Henry and Nicolas gasped in shock, their faces showing a complex mix of emotions.

They exchanged a knowing glance. Both found themselves at a loss.

Athena had been expelled from the Monson family, yet Fermin wanted them to win her back. That was like asking the impossible.

Eloise’s eyes darted nervously. “But… what about Willow?” she blurted out, her voice trembling.

Fermin shot Eloise a disapproving glare. “Willow is merely an adopted daughter. Athena is the trueborn heiress of the Monson family. Naturally, Athena shall be the official wife, and Willow the secondary wife.”

Eloise froze in disbelief. “A secondary wife?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eloise thought, Willow may be an adopted daughter, but I’ve doted on her since she was a child. Apart from her status, she excels in every aspect. What’s the difference between being a secondary wife and a mistress? She’ll still be at the mercy of the official wife. Poor Willow, this is utterly humiliating for her.

But seeing the stormy look on Fermin’s face, Eloise swallowed her words and dared not say anything.

With a final display of displeasure, Fermin departed the Monson family in cold fury.

Henry’s family now found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place.

The room was eerily silent.

All three wore troubled expressions, but Nicolas looked especially furious, his teeth clenched in anger. “Who would have thought she was the miracle healer?” he spat out. “With someone like her serving Fermin’s purposes, he’d never let her go. But…”

Nicolas’s face twisted in frustration. “I was the one who banished Athena from the family. How the hell am I supposed to get her to come back now?”

Nicolas and Henry had both witnessed Athena’s determination when she left the estate.

‘She’d rather walk barefoot through a field of blades than stay another minute, Nicolas thought.

Now, getting her to come back would be harder than moving mountains.

Henry’s brow furrowed deeply. “No matter how difficult it is, we must bring her back,” he said sternly, “Never forget, the very fate of the Monson family lies in Fermin’s hands.”

They had thrown their lot in with Fermin from the very beginning, recognizing his potential to be named crown prince.

Over the years, they’d worked tirelessly to further his ambitions, naturally, Fermin now held all the leverage over them.

If they failed to satisfy him, the entire Monson family could be doomed.

Nicolas looked exhausted. “I understand, Father. But you know what Athena’s like.”

With a weary sigh, Nicolas turned to Eloise. “Mother, it falls to you to break the news to Willow.”

Eloise, her eyes red–rimmed, said, “If Willow finds out, it’ll break her heart. And who knows how the Osborne family will

react?”

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Chapter 262

The wedding plans between the Monson and Osborne families were all set when Fermin suddenly threw a wrench into things, turning everything upside down in an instant.

Meanwhile, the Osborne family also received Fermin’s order.

Kelsey gasped in shock. “What? He actually wants to make Athena his principal wife?”

Fletcher Osborne’s face remained impassive, his expression unreadable.

He held the letter in his hand over the candle flame until it caught fire, then tossed the burning parchment into the brazier.

His aged face exuded authority. “Prince Fermin must have his reasons for this. Just comply.”

“But how will the Osborne family face all the gossip?” Kelsey fretted, her primary concern being the family’s reputation.

Fletcher slowly settled into his chair and scoffed, “Who would dare?”

With the Queen backing the Osborne family, only someone with a death wish would dare slander them.

Kelsey felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest. “Does this mean we must postpone the wedding with the Monson family?”

Fletcher shot Kelsey a dark look and rebuked, “Such feminine weakness! The official wife of Michael hasn’t even joined us yet. How dare a secondary wife precede her?”

Chilled to the bone by his icy glare, Kelsey hastily composed herself and said meekly, “You’re right. I’ll send word to the Monson family right away to postpone the wedding.”

Fletcher grunted through his nose and waved his hand dismissively. “Go.”