The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 98

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Chapter 98

Athena thought, exasperated. ‘Unbelievable. Nicolas just dumped this whole mess in my lap. I’m honestly speechless.”

Athena let out a bitter laugh, her eyes glinting with sharp mockery. “So now, whenever those two fight, it’s somehow my fault? What next, Lord Nicolas, are you going to blame the bridge collapse on me too, since I’m apparently such a jinx?”

Athena didn’t bother to save Nicolas any face, leaving him completely humiliated.

Once upon a time, Athena used to always listen to him.

But now, in front of outsiders, she actually dared to talk back, which made Nicolas’s face turn even darker.

With Ferris present, he didn’t want things to get too tense between them.

He had no choice but to chided Athena, “Athena, I was just asking. Why are you being so sarcastic? The older you get, the less sensible you become.”

He was blaming her for not giving him a way to save face.

Athena let out a cold scoff. “How magnanimous of you, Lord Nicolas. Does Michael even know you used him like that?”

She was referring to how Nicolas had secretly executed those soldiers.

Nicolas’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with fury. “Athena, how dare you spout such nonsense!”

Athena shot back with a mocking smile, “I was only making an offhand remark, Lord Nicolas. Why get so worked up?” She threw his own words right back at him. His face turned as dark as thunder.

Michael shot Nicolas a look of growing displeasure.

‘My men are not yours to execute,‘ he thought icily.

Noticing Michael’s gaze, Nicolas‘ heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly explained, “Michael, don’t let Athena turn you against me. We’re as close as brothers, you have to believe I did this for your own good.”

‘Is this real concern, or just for show?‘ Michael thought sarcastically.

Michael was far from stupid, he saw right through Athena’s scheming.

His eyes grew colder as he fixed Nicolas with a warning stare. “Lord Nicolas, you’d better keep your hands out of my business. It’d be a shame to ruin the bond between us, wouldn’t you agree?”

Michael and Nicolas had grown up together.

But because of Athena, a rift had begun to form between them.

Nicolas shot Athena a look so fierce, it was as if he wanted to tear her apart right then and there.

Athena’s lips curled into a mocking smirk, her eyes brimming with even sharper sarcasm. “You’re always so forgiving, Lord Nicolas. Surely such a trivial matter isn’t worth your concern.”

“That’s right, Nicolas and Michael are as close as brothers. They even got punished together! Such brotherly devotion, even I find admirable,” Ferris said. He never missed a chance to taunt Michael.

Athena and Ferris played off each other so well, it was like watching a tag team, or even a married couple.

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Nicolas’s eyes burned with fury, but with Ferris shielding Athena, he had no choice but to swallow his

rage.

Willow had been quietly watching the group’s expressions. Seeing Nicolas being wronged, she couldn’t help but speak up for him. “Athena, Nicolas only has your best interests at heart. How could you misunderstand him like that?”

Her voice came out soft and fragile, laced with a barely detectable note of personal grievance.

Willow’s words eased Nicolas‘ mood a little. He gave Athena a cold snort and snapped, “Ungrateful wretch!”

Before Athena could respond, Willow timidly stepped forward and gently took her arm, trying to smooth things over. “Athena, we’re all family. Why act like strangers? Just go apologize to Nicolas, and this will all blow over.”

Whether by accident or design, Willow grabbed Athena’s injured hand.

A sharp pain shot through Athena, making her wince. Instinctively, she yanked her hand free, and with that slight tug. Willow lost her balance and fell backward uncontrollably.

Behind her lay the icy river.

If Willow fell in, Athena would be entirely to blame.

Athena instinctively reached out to grab Willow, but her fingers closed on nothing but air. With a splash, Willow plunged into the water.