Chapter 149
Alleves in the room were fixed on Henty
As the head of the family, his word was law
Margaret made no scene, only fixing Henry with her reproachful gare.
Seeing her like this Henry’s heart ached as if stabbed.
He didn’t want the duke’s estate torn apart, nor did he want to sever ties with Margaret,
Mostymportantly, Margaret would take Athena away if they broke off relations
Then what about the marriage alliance with the Mcgee family? Henry thought. “Wouldn’t all our
He gritted his teeth, eyes rod with tears, and pleaded with Margaret,”
Il our plans be for nothing?”
“Mother, I beg you, please don’t make us sever our ties. You’re my mother
His angurshed cry of “Mother” was heart rending, and Margaret’s heart ached in response.
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“He’s my son, she thought painfully. “How can I bear to sever ties with the son I’ve raised for decades? But if don’t take this step, Athena will have no
Steeling herself, Margaret shook her head. “We must sever ties,” she declared.
Eloise paled as she saw Margaret’s resolve. Her eyes were red–rimmed as she turned to Henry.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down Henry’s face.
For Margaret, all he felt now was guilt.
After a long pause, Henry closed his eyes, then nodded.
- d. “Alright, Mother I’ll do as you ask.”
Margaret exhaled a sigh of relat, though it felt like someone had carved a piece of her heart away.
With weary resignation, she gazed at Henry and nodded slowly. “From this day forth, all bonds between us are severed. We shall have no further contact. Athena remains with mu, and you shall have no say in her affairs.”
Hearing that, Eloise turned to Henry, her face twisted with grief, and sobbed, “Margaret, Athena is my daughter. You can’t just cut her off from us lik
Eloise felt a blade of pain pierce her heart, leaving her gasping for air.
Pounding her chest, she wept uncontrollably, es streaming down her face
Willow stood beside her, tears streaming down her face. “Mother_”
ut wanted to kay more, but Margaret’s imposing gare made her shrink back in fear, the words dying on her lips.
Febet as were forced b
char, Willow would have been expelled from the duke’s estate long ago.
Marginet loathed her to the co
Elobe thought willow pas shearing i
Sening Willow’s tour swollen eyes, she felt somewhat condorted.
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Chapter 149
日
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who was close to her and who wasn’t
Llobe and Willow put on a chew of mother daughter affection in the hall, while Margaret felt utterly weary as the watched.
will present the official document of severance to the authorities, Tromm This day forward, we go ir separate ways. Athena, let’s go,” Margaret declared
With that, she rose to her feet, took Athena by hand, and prepaid to leave
At that moment, Nicolas rose to his feet
Gone was his earlier gret, replaced by an eerily detached gare as he looked at Margaret, “Grandmother,” Nicolas said, “do you truly care so little for our tamilial bands that you would tear the duke’s estate apart?
Nicolas abrupt change of demeanor left Margaret momentarily stunned.
She stared at him, puzzled, and asked, “What do you mean by this?”
Nicolas’s expression darkened like storm clouds. He spoke in a measured, icy tone, “I refuse.”
Athena stepped forward, shielding Margaret behind her. She asked, “What exactly do you refuse?”
Nicolan maintained a composed facade, bu
, but deep down, he had a dark and calculating nature.
Personal gain always came first for him, and family meant nothing to him.
So when Margaret’s decision to sever ties and split the family threatened his interests, it was only natural for him to react that way.
Henry also looked at Nicolas with visible bewilderment, yet held his tongue.
Nicolas continued, “As the heir to the Monson family, I must bring prosperity to our family, Grandmother, you’ve been mistaken all along. My father and weighed every decision before acting.
ring family ties is out of the question. I won’t allow anyone to divide the duke’s estate into two.”
Ever since Nicolas became the heir, he had called the shots in the household.
Sometimes
veri Henry had to consult him before making a decision.
All that reluctance and grief he’d shown earlier was only for show,
just wanted to make Margaret stay
alized her resolve was unshakable, his mask slipped, revealing his true nature.
let out a cold laugh. “How nauseating, pretending your greed is noble
Nicolas shot them a cold glare “You’re the root cause of all this trouble. Even if you keep clinging on, the duke’s estate has no place for you anymore
His words left no doubt. He meant to cast Albena out
Margaret’s face Blushed with rage. “How dare y
ir olas wasn’t intimidate
He bowed deeply and said calmly, “Grandmother, if we continue to let her have her way, this family will
be doomed
He then turned to Hency “ladies, what du
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ulenza, which was tacit approval of Nicolas’s decision
23:37 Mon, 30 Jun
Chapter 149
Actor Eloise, she was stunned and utterly speechless
Even she hadn’t expected things would come to this.
Aber a long silence, Eloise could only manage this weak, ineffectual plea, “Nicolas She’s)
s your sister”
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Nicolas sneered. “You treat her like your own daughter, but has she ever regarded you as a mother, or me as a brother?”
His wordsch Eloise speechless
“By my authority as he is the Manson Family, Nicolas said, “Thereby banish Athena from the family”
Margaret’s face turned deathly pale, her whole body trembling with rage. “You… How dare you treat Athena like this? Do you have no respect for me as
candmother?” :
7” she asked.
your
Nicolas took a deep breath and bowed to Margaret, “I wouldn’t dare,” he said, yet his actions were nothing short of outright defiance
The room fell inte heavy silence.
Athena’s gaze swept over Henry, who was feigning ignorance, and Elaise, whose expression
Beside Close, Willow buried her head, weeping with exaggerated fragility.
Suddenly, Athena sneered.
was utterly helpless.
“Wheth it’s being disowned or banished, Athena thought, it makes no difference now. At least I’m finally leaving this place for good.
She looked up and said firmly, “Fine. I agree.”
Margaret burst into tears, her voice trembling g with anguish as she cried, “Athena, how could you consent to this?
This is your home, Margaret thought with a pang of grief.
Athena gave Margaret a gentle, relieved smile. “Grandmother, I know well how much you love me, and how hard you’ve tried to protect this family and me That’s all I could ever ask for?
“Fine. From this day forward, Athena is no longer the legitimate daughter of the Monson family,” Nicolas pronounced, his expression dark and cold. He thought, Twe already gone above and beyond for Athena. My patience is at its end.
“We did everything for her cake, but not only did she not appreciate it, but she even wanted to cut ties with us. Since that’s what she wants, I’ll let her
“bring forth the family register, Nicolas commanded in a low, authoritative to
tone.
Thai Butier glanced at Henry cautiously, who sat with a dark expression, eyes slightly closed in tacit approval.
thuen looked at Elore, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and at Margaret, her face etched with helplessness. He knew Nicolas’s decision was now
was brought forth
deigued sorrow and said solemily. “You’ve brought this upon yourself. What else do you have to say?”
slices some remorse, he thought, I will let the matter drop
Huwear Athena suddenly bowed to Margust
and, “Grandmother, I have falled you. Thank you for raising me?
She bowed to Margaret ther
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Chapter 149
Then, turning to Eloise and Henty, the bowed three more times,
But she said nothing to them.
Nicolas’s eyes burned crimson with fury Gritting his teeths, he hissed, “Tine. You’re something”
With a sullen glare, Nicolas snatched up the pen, fosind Athena’s name in the family register, and cast her one last glance
Then, with a single, decisive stroke, he crossed her name out of it.
