The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396

Almost immediately, agonized shrieks erupted from outside.

After a dozen or so blows, the cook’s back was a bloody mess, and she was about to give out.

Just as she was about to confess, a child suddenly rushed to her side and sobbed desperately, “Mom, mom, please don’t die!”

The child was no more than eight years old, and his little face was awash with tears.

The sight of her child plunged the cook into a fierce internal struggle.

‘If I confess today, I’m as good as dead. But if I don’t confess, maybe…just maybe…there’s still a glimmer of hope!‘ The cook thought desperately.

She gritted her teeth and cried out in pain, “Please, spare me! Please, have mercy! It was all my carelessness! No one put me up to it, I swear! Please, sir, I beg you, see the truth!”

Not far away, Joseph let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding when he heard the cook’s testimony.

Joseph sneered inwardly. “Athena is still too naive to challenge me. The lifelong contracts of these servants and their families are right in this estate. They would never dare disobey me.”

Joseph was sure that Athena would never uncover the truth.

The cook’s agonized screams made everyone present wince in sympathy.

When the flogging ended and the cook still revealed nothing, Les turned to Athena, his voice edged with impatience. “Athena, the punishment is over, and nothing was uncovered. Are you satisfied now?”

Les declared, “It appears this was indeed just an unfortunate accident. No one intended to harm Margaret.”

This outcome was exactly as Athena had anticipated. She knew that it was likely the Monson family had already appointed someone to take the fall if they had the guts to pull this off.

From the very beginning, unmasking the true mastermind was never Athena’s intention. Margaret was her real target.

Athena said coldly, “An ‘accident‘ like this is utterly chilling. I was the one who saved Grandmother this time. But what about next time? Can any of you guarantee she’ll be safe?”

Athena fixed Nicolas with an unyielding stare, demanding his response.

Nicolas slumped back in his chair, his voice low and stern. “That would not be your problem. This is a Monson family affair.”

With a single sentence, Nicolas made it clear that Athena was no longer part of the Monson family and that their family. affairs were no concern of hers.

“Granduncles,” Athena said respectfully yet firmly, “Grandmother is no longer young and her health has always been delicate. I’d like to ask for your permission to take her to my residence so I can care for her myself. I have medical training and can properly tend to her health. Frankly, I simply don’t trust anyone at the duke’s estate.”

Both Les and Toby gasped, their brows furrowing deeply.

There was no precedent in the Monson clan for a disowned child to take an elder into their care.

Athena’s request was beyond the authority traditionally granted to Les and Toby. It concerns the honor and dignity of the

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entire duke’s estate.

Before Les and Toby could respond, Henry burst out, “This is utter nonsense! I absolutely forbid it!”

Henry strongly believed that he would become a laughingstock if Athena were allowed to take Margaret away.

Nicolas also stated firmly, “I also object. Why on earth should my grandmother be entrusted to your care?”

Nicolas shot Athena a withering look of contempt, his eyes practically sneering, “Who do you think you are to even make such a request?”

Athena curled her lips into a smirk. “Since you refuse, then Grandmother’s illness is no longer my concern. After all, my medical services don’t come cheap. I won’t treat your so–called ‘grandmother‘ without due cause.”

“Your arrogance knows no bounds! Do you seriously think you’re the only one who can cure Grandmother’s poisoning?” Nicolas let out a derisive laugh. He could not believe her audacity.

Nicolas scoffed, “We have our physicians right here, and we have access to imperial physicians. Do you honestly think a mere case of food poisoning would be beyond them?”

Just then, a physician entered, trembling with fear as he bowed to Nicolas. “Sir, please have mercy! While the poison itself isn’t hard to cure, Lady Margaret is already extremely frail. From this incident, she is already at death’s door. We…we can do nothing more…”