The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 561

Eloise stared at Athena in shock, as if she were looking at a terrifying monster.

Never in her wildest dreams had Eloise imagined that Athena would want her dead.

Not only was Athena determined to send Eloise to prison, but she also intended to bring down the entire duke’s estate.

What a heart of stone! Eloise thought

She opened her mouth to protest, but Jessa shoved her out the door.

Throughout it all, Athena never so much as turned her head.

Standing outside Athena’s residence, Eloise stared at the walls that now separated them. It was only then that the t

Athena wasn’t easily deceivable anymore.

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truth finally dawned on her.

Athena was no longer the naive girl who could be easily swayed by a few sweet words and would affectionately call her “Mother“.

“Go to the Osborne family…” Henry muttered, his face turning ashen, it was hard to tell whether it was from fury or heartbreak,

Henry thought bitterly, “I am Athena’s father, yet she dared to throw me out. What a ridiculous farce.

‘Some good daughter she turned out to be!

Eloise wiped away her tears and nodded. “Now, only the Osborne family can save us.”

Eloise felt relieved. She felt that it was fortunate to have Willow marry Michael. At this time, Eloise felt that the Osborne family wouldn’t abandon the

duke’s estate.

Eloise comforted herself while thinking, “Nicolas and Michael grew up together. Given their close bond from childhood, the Osborne family couldn’t just

stand by and do nothing”

Filled with high hopes, Eloise and Henry went to the Osborne residence. Although they weren’t turned away, Kelsey came to handle the matter.

As for Michael and Willow, neither showed up.

Eloise and Henry exchanged uneasy glances. They wondered what exactly the Osborne family was implying.

“The verdict hasn’t even been finalized yet, and they’re already trying to distance themselves from us? Eloise and Henry thought bitterly

With a practiced smile, Kelsey said, “Lasked Willow about your health the other day. Seeing you in such good spirits today, Lady Eloise, I presume you’ve recovered quite well.” She kept the conversation strictly to polite pleasantries, carefully avoiding any other topics.

Eloise had no patience for small talk. After a few moments, she cut straight to the point. “We’re here today not for chit–chat, but because we need the Osborne family’s help”

Before Eloise could finish, Kelsey was seized by a sudden coughing fit.

Hermaidservant rushed over to gently pat her back, and it took quite a while before she finally composed herself

Kelsey said apologetically to Eloise, “Do pardon my feeble constitution. I caught a chill some time ago and still haven’t fully recovered…”

She paused before continuing. “As we age, it’s only natural to develop chronic ailments. Even a simple cold becomes stubbornly persistent, and the smallest wound takes forever to heal. The other day, Laccidentally injured my fingernail I couldn 1 bear to trim the broken part, hoping it might still

mend itself.

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Chapter 561

“I didn’t expect to hit it again today, and the whole nail ripped right off. Now even my other finger has a dull ache. Better a short, sharp pain than a long, drawn–out one, so just pulled the whole thing out myself”

Kelsey rambled on at length before suddenly turning to look at Eloise and Henry.

Kelsey smiled apologetically. “Oh dear, I do tend to ramble on. I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch what you were saying just now, Lady Eloise. Would you mind repeating it?”

Eloise and Henry were no fools. They had clearly read between the lines of Kelsey’s words

Kelsey was making it clear to them that Nicolas’s transgressions were already past the point of no return.

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Kelsey was suggesting that rather than dragging the Osborne family into this mess, it would be wiser to focus on self–preservation.

But Nicolas was both the Monson family’s eldest son and the heir apparent. Henry could not possibly bear to abandon him.

To think the once–prestigious duke’s estate had fallen so low, a wave of bitter sorrow washed over Henry.

Athena’s remarks that the duke’s estate was finished only deepened the torment in his heart.

He thought, “The duke’s estate can’t just fall into ruin like this. I can’t let the centuries–old legacy be destroyed on my watch.”

After a long

gmoment of contemplation, Henry turned to Kelsey and said, “Lady Kelsey, I understand your words. But no matter how much it pains me Nicolas is my son. How could I just abandon him?