Chapter 319
Athena cried her heat oil, clutching Margaret’s hand tightly and refusing to let go.
Gwen stepped forward to comfort her, “Lady Margaret lived with guilt for half her life. This washer own choice flow, the’s finally found pears Lady Athena, you should be happy for her?
Athena collapsed by Margaret’s bedside, overcome with grief. She could only sob, utterly speechless.
Athena didn’t want Marguet to leave her
owen’s heartached as she watched Athena weep uncontrollably, a pained expression crossing herface
With her voice trembling and choked with sobs, Gaven handled Athena a letter “Lady Athena, Lady Margaret entrusted me with this to you. It contains the answers you seek. Dice you’ve read it, you’ll understand why she chose to end her lok”
Athena continued to sob uncontrollalily. Seeing her distress, Gwen pressed the letter into her hand before quietly leaving the room
Athen slowly lifted her head and saw the familiar handwriting on the envelope. To my dearest Athena. For Your Eyes Only
To her shock, the letter was dated six months ago.
The handwriting was unmistakably Margaret’s. She had prepared for death and meticulously arranged everything it seemed Margarit had been planning this for a very long time.
Athena opened the letter and began to read,
My dearest Athena, by the time you open this letter, I will already be gone. Please don’t blame me for this difficult choice. If i do not die, your
gave danger Read the following carefully and handle everything with utmost caution, only then can you truly protect yourself.
The duke’s estate is not what it once was. The former heir’s death always struck me as deeply suspicious. I’ve long feared there was foul play involved It took me years to piece things together. Back then, your father was barely noticed in the family, yet aber the heir’s passing hexperienced met rise. I still can’t them what truly happened.
It was only aber your father met Eloise that he truly gained control of the entire duke’s estate. As for your three brothers, I can say with certainty that only Matthew and Joseph are Eloise’s biological sons. Long before Henry married your mother, he and Eloise had already begun their affair ballove he coveted General Perkins’s family assets. He only married your birth mother to secure the heir’s position
As for Nicolas’s true identity, I could never uncover it. Your father surely knows the truth, but he’s hidden it masterfully, with Eloise covering for him Eloise must be under his thumb. Otherwise, she would never have acknowledged a child of unknown origin as her eldest son. That’s also why she’s always favored Matthew, Joseph, and Willow all these years, I know too many secrets of this family. Even with your protection, it’s only a matter of time before they come for me
My dearest Athena, can’t let you be dragged into this because of me. My final wish is for you to marry Prince Xander. Only he has the power to proact
you
These are treacherous waters that are far beyond your depth. Please understand, I’m not telling you this to make you do anything. Deep down, i just hope you can stay far away from all this burmoil, even love Pidence City behind, and claim the life you truly deserve.
My dearest Athena, listen to me. Don’t go digging for the truth. You must remember this!]
Aher finishing the letter, Athena felt an icy dread creep through her veins, chilling her to the bone.
Athena wondered, “Who exactly is Nicolas? Why does his very existence fill Grandmother with such dread
To protect me, Grandmother has no choice but to end her own the to make the enemy let down their guard”
Athena’s hands trembled uncontrollably, her eyes bloodshot and wollen from crying
She wanted to cry, but her tears had run dry. She wanted to scream, but grief fad stoles her voice.
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Chapter 319
Margaret wanted her to stay away from all this, but Athena felt that she could not escape since she was already trapped in this situation.
Athena pressed the letter to her chest, a suffocating pain tackating from her heart. She thought, thate the mastermunds behind all of this
“They murdered my mother, my beloved grandfather, and my grandmother
‘Grandma told me not to dig deeper, but how could ever walki
k away from all this with a clear conscience!
With so many lives lost, how could possibly just walk away, just because she told me to?
Twill not only investigate, bit i willaho impose every rotten secret of the duke’s estate to the world”
When carefully tucked away the letter, then bowed deeply before Margaret’s body “Grandma, I can’t do as you asked. Your death and my mother’s well not be in vain, I swear I make the one behind all the pay in blood.”
Dutside the door, Gwen paced anxiously, her wrinkled hands twisting in her apron
Gwen’s expression was graver than ever before.
Before k
relong, the door creaked open from within, and Athena stepped out of the chamber.
Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, herface etched with sorrow.
Her once–empty eyes now blazed with fury, as if they could reduce everything to ashes.
“Lady Athena“Gwen called out softly.
Athena slowly turned her gaze before fixing it on Gwen “I need to see Eloise. After all Grandmother has revealed, she must know more of the truth, One way or another, I’ll make her talk and confess everything”
Gwen hesitated at the murderous gint in Athena’s eyes. “But Lady Athena, Lady Eloise would never tell you…”
“She will,” Athena said with a chilling unile playing on her lips, “Even if she refuses, find a way to make her talk”
Genaded softly, “Lady Athena, what are you planning to do?”
Athena led her gaze to the distant horizon and exhaled slowly. “I’m going to get her out of there”
Gwen realized Athena’s intention. To uncover the truth, Athena would need to secure the release of Eloise from the Federal Bureau’s prison
Athena paused before the Xander Manor, A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she stepped inside
Nelson Bates caught sight of Athena and hurried inside to announce, “Your Highness, Miss Monson has arrived”
Kander sprang to his feet and hurried out to meet her,
Athena appeared gaunt and drained, her obsidian eyes brimming with unshed tears. It was obvious that she had just endured life–shattering revelations.
Kander rushed forward, his voice tight with concern. Athena, what’s wrong!
Fighting back her tears Athena said, “Prince Xander, I need you to do me a favor”
Kandar didn’t hesitate for a second. “Of course, pell me what you need.”
“I need to get Eloise out of the Federal Bureau’s prison,” Athena said slowly, her voice heavy with resolve
Nelson looked utterly shocked. “But that’s the Federal Bureau’s prison. The Emperor has already passed sentence. How could we possibly rescue her?”
if the Emperor were to learn of this, even Kander would be punished.
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Chapter 319
.“Don’t We
Hearing this, Athena gave a bitter smile. “Don’t worry, felson. All ask in that Prince Xander tumsa blind eye to whatever the duke’s estate is going to
do”
hat happened to you?” Xander’s eyes brimmed with concent
Kander thought, ‘Wthena has always been so strong
She wouldn’t be like this unless she’d faced something utterly unbearable.”
Athena sniffled,
bitter ache twisting in her heart. So many things screamed to be said, yet she didn’t even know where to begin.
Athena shook her head frantically, her eyes brimming with despair. “My Grandmother has passed.”
“What?” Both Nelson and Kander stared in shock Xander, utterly bewildered, stammered. “But she had always been in good health. How could the happen so suddenly!
Athena could only shake her head, grief choking back any words
Xander couldn’t bear to press further. He turned to Nelson and ordered, “Take some men and handle the funeral arrangements. Dispatch a squad of guards with strict orders, No one from the duke’s estate can approach.”
A
