The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 584

She fixed Willow with a frigid glare Terrified, Willow clenched her teeth, stifling any further sound.

Athena fixed Eloise with a steely gaze and demanded, “What really happened when Willow was poisoned all those years ago?”

Eloise gazed at Willow, her heart aching as blood streamed down Willow’s body and her lace was smeared with dirt.

This pitiful sight nearly shattered her heart.

“My poor Willow, she thought desperately.

Eloise choked back a sob and slowly confessed, “It was me. I set a trap so Willow could take your place.”

Desperately trying to justify herself, she hurriedly added, “But I swear, I never meant to harm you. I just wanted you out of the duke’s estate. I never imagined things would escalate like this, I dind’t know that they’d be so cruel as to send you to the military camp for discipline.

nly locking out for my daughter wasn’t trying to hurt anyone.”

“I was only

Behind the bushes, Michael’s eyes widened in shock.

He had never imagined the truth would be like this

He thought, “So Eloise isn’t Athena’s real mother, and the one responsible for all of this is me.

‘I have teamed up with Nicolas to send Athena to the military camp

‘How could I have been so utterly blind, agreeing to send her there and then ignoring her for three years, leaving her to fend for herself?

Athens endured endless torment, yet still hoped I would bring her home.

And what have I done!

“While Athena was suffering abuse, I was busy pampering Willow and doing everything to make her happy

“When Athena couldn’t even get a proper meal, I would scour the city and wait in line for hours just to buy Willow her favorite pastries.

I had spared even a single thought for Athena, she wouldn’t hate me so much now

Eloise was a criminal, then so was L‘

Large, heavy tears streamed down Michael’s face

His bloodshot eyes fixed on Athena, as if a thousand arrows had pierced his heart. The pain cut to his very bones.

He thought, ‘My Athena. She used to adore me so much.

“Now I realize that it’s my fault that she has turned on me.

I my fault!

‘It’s all m

Michael clenched his teeth, his fingernails digging deep into his palms until blood welled up between his fingers

A faint rustle came from behind the bushes. Athena subtly blocked Eloise’s view and asked, “Did you have anything to do with my mother’s death?”

Eloise frone before glancing at Athena with a guilty conscience.

Seeing Athena’s icy expression and the murderous glint in her eyes, Eloise knew there was no escaping her fate, yet she still clung to a desperate, fleeting

Chapter 584

hope.

She shook her head, her eyes darting evasively. “No, it wasn’t me

“It wasn’t you?” Athena’s voice turned razor–sharp. “From the moment you it, I’ll still hold you accountable for her death.”

stole my

mother’s identity, you never intended to let her live. Even if you deny

Eloise stared at Athena in horror, a flicker of anger in her eyes. But as Jessa stepped forward, his menacing aura instantly extinguished her defiance,

She was just a defenseless woman. There was no chance she could escape from Athena today

With nothing left to lose, Eloise slumped to the ground and let out a bitter laugh. “No wonder 1 escaped from the Federal Bureau so easily. So this was your plan all along. You took Willow hostage, using her as leverage to force me to reveal the Monson family secrets, didn’t you?”

Athena let out a cold chuckle. “You’re only realizing that now? My patience is wearing thin. You’d best confess everything quickly

“After all, I’m still your aunt. Would you really kill me?” Eloise walled in utter despair, making a last ditch attempt to emotionally blackmail Athena with their family ties.

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