Happened 219

Chapter 219 

When Athena returned to Natasha’s side, Natasha gave her a mischievous look and winked. “Prince Xander treats you wel, doesn’t he?” she bined.“5. when are you two tying the kitot?” 

Athena blushed slightly Recalling her conversation with Xander, she admitted to herself, I was being greedy. 

I’m so lonely that if anyone shows me even a shred of care or concern, I just want to cling to them 

It’s like that with Natasha, and so it is with Xander. 

‘Their kindness makes me feel truly alive and truly human. 

“Naturally, I want to 

o repay their kindness. 

“I know it’s silly, but after having been neglected and unloved since I was young, I can’t help but treasure these rare moments of warmth 

“Let’s talk about that later,” Athena hedged. She couldn’t explain her complicated relationship with Xander to Natasha, so she could only give a vague 

answer 

As they were about to 

to part ways, Natasha earnestly urged, “You simply must come visit me when you have time!” 

“Alright, | 

t, I promise I will. 

Athena nodded in response, 

Upon returning home, Athena instructed Trina to deliver two sets of century–old herbs, one to Xander and another to Natasha, as tokens of gratitude 

Willow was carried back to the Duke’s Estate in a severely injured state. The excruciating pain from her broken leg made her wail incessantly, and her agonized screams reverberated through the entire courtyard 

dat 

“Mother, it hurts… it hurts so much.” Willow sobbed hoarsely as she clutched at Eloise like a lifeline with a face streaked with tears. 

Her messy hair clung to her tear–stained cheeks as she wept in utter misery. 

The agony from her shattered leg was so unbearable that she wished for death. She had even passed out from the pain multiple times on the way home. 

Eloise’s heartached unbearably as she watched Willow in agony. 

But she wasn’t a doctor and couldn’t bear the pain for her daughter. All she could do was hold Willow helplessly, murmuring again and again, “Willow, my poor girl, you’ve suffered so much you’ve truly suffered… 

Inside the room, mother and daughter clung tightly to each other. 

Outside, the Duke of Suffield’s face was ashen with rage as he berated Matthew, “She went to a party perfectly fine. How did she come back battered and broken? Her wedding is in just two days. What on earth are we supposed to do now?” 

The marriage alliance between the Monson and Osborne familles had already been fraught with changes and delays. 

Now, with the wedding date fast approaching and Willow’s leg broken, how could the Duke of Suffield not be furious! 

The Duke of Suffield pointed his whip at Matthew and demanded, “Speak What exactly happened here?” 

Matthew knelt on the ground, fear written all over his face. He explained, “Father, it was all Athena’s fault That troublemaker is the one who made Willow fall and break her leg 

Even though Athena had produced evidence that Willow had set her up first, Matthew only hesitated for a moment before shifting all the blame back 

onto Athena. 

Chapter 219 

Wter all, someone has to take the blame for this, he thought. ‘Iftadmht responsibility, what standing would have left in this households athe always been my scapegoa–what’s one more time?‘ 

The Duke of Suffield’s asher face showed a flicker of surprise. “Athena?” he exclaimed. 

His expression was a complex mix of shock and fury. 

Taking a deep breath, the Duke of Suffield spat out through clenched teeth, “She’s become so vicious. And, out of jealousy for Willow, shed stoop to ruining her wedding plans.” 

At this painful thought, he stamined his hand on the table, exclaiming, “This is downright monstmus!” 

Nicolas hurried inside to check on Willow’s injuries. He emerged with a grim expression and declared, “Father, we can’t keep indulging her like this. 

He almost never lost control like this. The once refused gentleman now stood there, his face contorted with rage. 

It was as if Athena were the most heinous of criminals. 

Nicolas addressed the Duke of Suffield, “I thought that sending her out of the estate would make her know her place and completely mend her ways. But now she even dares to harm Willow. Who knows what unhinged atrocities she might commit next? 

“Father, please grant me permission to bring Athena back to the estate to… properly discipline her.” 

He spat out the last words through gritted teeth, a primal savagery emanating from his very bones, his eyes blazing with ferocious hatred, like a beast intent on tearing Athena apart and devouring her whole. 

The Duke of Suffield had been wavering, unsure whether to break ties with Athena, but Nicolas’s words finally steeled his resolve. 

He thought with growing dread, “If Athena dared to make a lethal attack on Willow today, anyone in this estate could be next. It might be Matthew, or Joseph. Not even Eloise or I would be spared her mercilessness 

The chilling image of Athena pressing a blade to his own throat sent cold sweat instantly drenching his back. 

He looked into Nicolas’s resentful eyes and finally nodded slowly in response, “Athena has indeed gone too far. Go and bring her back, but handle this discreetly. Do not use excessive force. Remember, she now enjoys… certain powerful connections.” 

Nicolas fully grasped the veiled meaning in the Duke of Suffield’s words. 

With Prince Xander backing Athena, pushing too hard would be a direct slap in the face to the Xander Manor. 

“But how can we “invite her back?‘ Nicolas thought as he was caught in a dilemma. 

Matthew gloated inwardly as he offered his scheme, “That wretched girl cares most about Grandma. If she hes Grandma is critically ill, she’ll come running back without fail” 

“How could you even suggest such a thing about Grandma?” Nicolas feigned shock, though his voice remained eerily calm. 

A calculating gleam flashed in his eyes, and he was clearly not opposed to the idea. 

However, it simply couldn’t come from his mouth. 

After all, as the heir to the Duke’s Estate and Margaret’s favorite, he couldn’t risk hurting her feelings 

Sensing Nicolas’s tacit approval, Matthew raised his voice, “Grandma has always lavored Athena, and she gives her everything! I can’t stomach that So 

what if she pretends to be ill for a few days? Its not like it really hurt her. Father has no reason to say no. 

His words carried a double meaning–he was clearly proposing to use Margaret’s Jeigned illness as a ruse to lure Athena back. 

That way, Athena would have no choice but to return to the estate. 

2/3 

Chapter 219 

Once she’s back, she’ll be completely under the Menson family’s control, 

if they were successful, they could even demand that the return everything Margaret had given her. 

The Duke of Suffield’s brows khitted tightly in distress. “No matter what, she’s still my mother, he thought. As her son, how could even consider harming her? Surely, such an act would invite heaven’s wrathi‘ 

Just as the Duke of Suffield was wrestling with his conscience, aponized screams tore through the chamber. Willou’s voice, which was raw with pain, cried, hurts! It hurts so much! Just let me die, Mather, Mother Is my leg broken? Am I going to become a cripple 

The heart rending, ragged screams wrenched the Duke of Suffield’s heart. 

The Duke of Suffield reasoned, “Right, it’s just making my mother appear ill for a few days, it’s not as if we’re taking her life, if continue to hesitate like this, it could mean the downfall of our household. 

The Duke of Suffield steeled himself, his expression hardening as he gone a slight nod, “Mathew, see to it,” he ordered coldly 

Nicolas is the heir of the Monson family, and there can’t be any blemish on his record 

On the other hand, Matthew is already a lost cause. Even if the truth comes out, they can always pin it all on him and keep 

Nicolas clean 

Matthew’s eyes burned with a manic intensity, electrified by this rare show of paternal trust. “Rest assured, Father,” he vowed fervently. “I will see this matter through to perfection!” 

While they were conspiring to set up both Margaret and Athena, Fiona, who was standing outside, felt a chill run down her spine. 

“What a den of monsters! They are willing to even harm their own flesh and blood. Their daughter and mother aren’t safe from their schemes,” she thought in horror 

As footsteps approached, Fiona’s heart leapt in her throat before she quickly slipped away. 

AD