The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Athena looked at Joseph with a cold, detached gaze, the barest hint of a smile on her lips. But the mockery in her eyes made Joseph so uneasy he couldn’t even meet her stare.

“Lord Joseph, you sure have a selective memory. Skipping class to hang around brothels, picking fights–you’ve done it more than once. And every time, I took the blame and got punished in your place. Have you forgotten all of that?”

The duke’s estate was known for its strict discipline. Back when the old Duke was alive, he laid down harsh family rules–no indulgence, no arrogance.

But Joseph, coddled by Eloise, broke all of them without consequence.

When they were younger, Athena had tried everything to win his favor. Every time he made a mistake, she’d cover for him.

Once, they were caught red–handed by Henry himself. Joseph didn’t hesitate–he threw her under the bus. She was punished and forced to bow for hours in the ancestral hall.

And the worst part? He could’ve pulled her out of it. But to protect Willow from being punished, he offered Athena up instead. It wasn’t the only time. There were countless others just like it.

And now, all he had to say was that she’d “suffered a little injustice.” But she wondered, ‘Why should I be the one to suffer? Because my life is worth less?’

That was the thing about giving too much for too long–people started to take it for granted. The moment you stopped, they acted like you’d wronged them.

Her accusations left both brothers speechless. The anger they came in with slowly fizzled out under the weight of her icy

gaze.

Matthew started to waver. He wondered, ‘Have I really misjudged her?‘

Just then, a weak voice came from outside the room. “Joseph, Matthew… please don’t blame Athena. It’s all my fault… Nicolas was punished because of me. It had nothing to do with her.”

Willow’s voice made Athena’s brow tighten. She thought, ‘Is she here to plead for peace–or fan the flames?‘

Sure enough, Matthew’s expression changed the moment she spoke.

The calm in his eyes turned sharp and cold again. He thought, ‘How could I let Athena sway me so easily?‘

Nicolas was still lying in bed, covered in blood and wounds. The proud heir of Henry’s house, beaten half to death–all because of Athena. He thought, ‘What a manipulative woman!

“Apologize…” Matthew said coldly, fists clenched tight.

–

Whatever Athena said now, he wouldn’t believe a word of it.

She let out a low, mocking laugh. Of course. Every time Willow appeared, trouble followed. Willow really was her curse.

Athena felt drained–physically, emotionally. She didn’t want to say another word. She thought, ‘What is the point? No one listens anyway!

She met Matthew’s eyes, her voice flat and distant. “If you have a problem, Lord Matthew, feel free to take it up with Henry.”

With that, she turned and ignored the three of them entirely. Her voice rang out clear and firm, “Aliza, see the

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guests out.”

ZA CAST a

As Athena turned to walk back into her room, she brushed past Matthew–only for him to suddenly grab her arm and yank her back. She’d barely been steady on her feet, and the force of it sent her stumbling hard to the floor.

“Ah-“The cry didn’t come from Athena, but from Willow.

Her voice trembled with panic and the edge of tears, drowning out Athena’s muffled grunt. “Athena, are you alright?”

She reached out to help her, but Athena swatted her hand away with a sharp flick of her sleeve.

Willow staggered back as if shoved by some invisible force and collapsed to the ground herself.

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