The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Nicolas pleaded anxiously, “Father, please, don’t punish Mother anymore.”

Matthew also spoke up anxiously, “Yes, Father. Even if Mother hasn’t made any major contributions, she’s worked so hard for this family. If you punish her like this, how can she hold her head up in the Monson family? People will say the lady of the house has no real authority. It’s just so unfair to her.”

“Father, please reconsider,” Willow whispered timidly.

“Mother, I’m willing to accept the family punishment. Please, don’t plead for me anymore,” Joseph pleaded, his face twisted in despair.

He thought, ‘Damn it! I really shouldn’t have taken out Athena’s jewelry. I should’ve just sold it off in secret.‘

Henry’s head throbbed from their incessant bickering. “Enough!” he barked, “Take them all away!”

The butler reluctantly stepped forward and said respectfully to Eloise, “Please come with me, madam.”

Realizing she could no longer sway Henry’s decision, Eloise shot him an icy glare and coldly spat, “My lord, you are truly heartless.”

With that, Willow gently guided her mother out.

Nicolas and Matthew were escorted out, leaving Joseph kneeling on the floor in terrified silence, fidgeting nervously, with no one left to turn to for help.

A servant presented the disciplinary whip. Henry took it as Joseph pleaded desperately, “Father! I was wrong, please show mercy!”

Henry closed his eyes briefly, then raised the whip high and brought it down.

A shrill scream echoed through the hall.

Eloise hadn’t gone far when Joseph’s piercing scream reached her ears, it shattered her heart.

‘Every lash may fall on my son, but the pain cuts even deeper in me,‘ she thought, clutching her chest as if struck herself.

Her own heart twisted in agony.

“Joseph, my child…” Eloise sobbed uncontrollably. Willow, her face deathly pale with fright, whispered urgently, “Mother, it’s all my fault. I’ll go plead with Father right now and ask him to stop punishing Joseph. If someone must be punished, let it be me instead.”

Willow turned to rush back, but Eloise yanked her to a stop.

Tears welling in her eyes, Eloise looked at Willow and said, “It’s no use, Willow. Once your father has made up his mind, nothing will change it. And you’re in no state to endure more.”

Eloise gripped Willow’s wrist tightly and hurried away.

She was afraid that if she heard another word, she’d break.

Athena escorted Margaret back to Starling House. Along the way, Margaret asked kindly, “What would you have done if I hadn’t come today?”

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Chapter 76

The fresh breeze outside helped cool Athena’s anger, easing the resentment in her heart.

She gazed at the bright sunlight, shook her head in confusion, and admitted, “I honestly don’t know, Grandmother.”

She thought, ‘I was so furious just now, all I wanted was to crush Matthew under my heel and vent my anger.’

‘I didn’t even stop to think about the consequences.

Margaret looked at her disapprovingly and said, “Just a few pieces of gossip and you already can’t take it? There will be far greater storms ahead. Are you planning to kill everyone who offends you?

“There are so many people in this world, do you really think you can get rid of them all?

“I’ve always told you not to be afraid of trouble, but you must also know how to protect yourself. There’s no sense in winning the battle but losing the war.

“If venting your anger comes at such a cost, I’d rather you not.”

Athena’s eyes flickered as she reflected. Now that she had calmed down, she realized she had indeed been too impulsive just

now.

She understood that Margaret’s words weren’t meant to scold her, but to guide her.

Overflowing with gratitude, Athena said sincerely to Margaret, “Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. I have learned my lesson.”

Raising her eyes, she looked at Margaret, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “So, Grandmother, how would you suggest we resolve today’s predicament?”

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