The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Joseph never imagined he’d walk right into trouble like this.

All eyes in the room were fixed on Joseph. He stood frozen in place, dumbfounded, gaping like a complete fool.

Eloise gasped in shock when she saw the scattered items on the floor, hurriedly covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

Several gold hairpins and pieces of jewelry were on the ground, It was unmistakably Athena’s precious set.

Joseph’s guilty expression confirmed Eloise’s suspicion. He must have stolen them while Athena was away.

Little did he expect to be caught red–handed.

Henry was also visibly shocked, but his astonishment quickly gave way to a surge of fury.

Pointing a trembling finger at Joseph, his face white with anger, Henry roared, “You… you rebellious wretch!”

Margaret’s eyes brimmed with disappointment as she let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair. “Our family has never produced a petty thief. Joseph has become this way because of your excessive indulgence.

“Nicolas and Matthew both hold official positions at court. Should this scandal become known, how will they maintain their standing? And as for his marriage prospects, what noble house would ever consent to wed him?”

Henry’s face turned ashen, then flushed with shame at Margaret’s words.

He had known Eloise indulged Joseph, but never imagined she would let him degenerate into this state.

“Mother, you are right,” Henry said with a respectful bow to Margaret. Then, turning to Joseph, he commanded sharply,

“Kneel down at once!”

Margaret slowly rose to her feet, a look of exhaustion on her face. “Your son is your responsibility, I’m too tired for this.”

She extended her hand to Athena. “Athena, escort me back.”

Everyone in the room looked shocked. Margaret’s favoritism was just too obvious.

‘We all got punished, so how come Athena gets off scot–free?‘ they thought to themselves.

Athena helped Margaret to her feet and escorted her out. The moment they left, Henry barked at the servants, “Bring the

rod at once!”

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“Father,” Eloise pleaded urgently, “Joseph was only standing up for Willow. He’s not as bad as you think. Must we really bring out the rod?”

Willow nodded urgently. “Father, please let Joseph off just this once. If someone must be punished, let it be me. It’s all my fault.”

Her swollen, red eyes and scratched face made her look utterly pitiful.

Seeing this, Henry felt his heart ache.

He had raised Willow for over a decade, and she had always been a good child.

But today, he couldn’t let himself be soft–hearted.

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Margaret was right, without strict discipline, Joseph would bring disaster in the future.

Steeling himself, Henry barked, “Bring the rod! No more pleading. Anyone who does will suffer the same fate.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Willow clenched her lower lip between her teeth, trying to hold herself together.

Dared not utter another word, she stood trembling as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Eloise glared at Henry, her voice trembling with anger. “How could you be so heartless? You know perfectly well Joseph isn’t a bad child, yet you’d punish him just because of someone else’s words? You’re his father, for goodness‘ sake!”

Under normal circumstances, Eloise wouldn’t dare voice any complaint against Margaret.

But today, after Margaret’s outburst where she punished everyone in the family, including Eloise, years of pent–up frustration finally surfaced.

She had joined the Monson family for over twenty years. Her children were already grown, yet she was still under Margaret’s thumb. The unfairness of it all gnawed at her.

Henry glared furiously at her. “Silence! Joseph turned out this way entirely because of your excessive indulgence. How dare you harbor resentment? Even if Mother spares you, I can no longer tolerate you.”

With that, he raised his voice and commanded, “Guards! Escort Eloise back to her chambers at once. She is forbidden to leave without my express permission.”

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