Chapter 317
Two days later, the matter finally settled
Eloise admitted to framing Kurtis and even hiring a k
The case went straight to Arthur. With all witnesses and evidence in hand, Leonard was sentenced to death, his tution set for autumn.
Yet before his sentence could be carried out, Leonard committed suicide by smashing his head against the cell wall.
As for Elise, she also received the death sentence.
Framing a revered general was a capital offeme. No pleas for leniency would be entertained.
The sudden reversal in Kurtis’s comiction took everyone by surprise
It immediately caused quite a stir…
Athena couldn’t comprehend why Leonard had led himself before the verdict was even
“Why did he have to die at this critical moment? What was he trying to hide? Athena wondered.
It seemed that only Eloise knew the rest of the matter.
When Athena arrived, she found Eloise huddled in the comer, staring vacantly at the ceiling.
Back in her days of wealth and privilege, Eloise was particular about her clothes and jewelry. Even the slightest discomfort in the fabric would have complaining nonstop.
Yet now, she wore nothing but the coarse garments of a condemned prisoner, awaiting her execution.
It was a cruel twist of fate.
The sound of footsteps snapped Eloise back to her senses. Her face lit up as she looked eagerly toward the cell door and cried out, “Willow, that you! Willow
Eloise rushed to the bars, but the moment she saw who stood outside her cell, her smile hope.
“What are you doing here?” Eloise spat, her voice
oice dripping with disdain.
Instead of Willow, the one she’d been longing to see, it was Athena who appeared.
Athena couldn’t miss the disappointment flashing in Eloise’s eyes as the jailer unlocked the orll door to let her in
Trina followed closely behind Athena, carrying a food container.
Once inside, Trinacrully unpacked the food hamper, arranging each dish on the table.
Eloise fixed Athena with a look of pure hatred. “What are you doing here? Come to gloat over my downfall?
People said that a dying person’s words would be kind.
But Athena saw no trace of kindness in Eloise–only pure, unadulterated hatred
She finally dropped the act. This was the real Eloise, not the one who would put on that pitiful act and beign sincerity.
Athena glanced around the cell All she was straw covering the floor. There was not even a blanket or bedding in sight.
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Elone’s body was riddled with bruses, her hair wild, her face streaked in
Athena let out a bitter chuckle, “just don’t understand, Why do you hate me in much if you nee
the first place
The enticing aroma of the food on the table led the alt Ravenously!
„Eloise snatched up a fork and begin devaring
Eloise sneered between bites, her voice dripping with contempt. “No remontuimply loathe you. That’s ati”
Eloise spoke without a shred of remorse, as if he were nothing more than a worthless trinket to her
If she didn’t want her, she could just cast her aside.
Athena thought bitterly. It would be able to say won’t heartbroken. What daughter could endure such hatred from her own
Athena felt a bitter taste rise in her throat, her heart ached so fiercely she could tunely breathe
Athena took a few steadying breaths, picked up the wine flask, and poured a drink for Eloise me see you through your final journey, and then let bygones be bygones.”
ever your ressons!
Athena thought, ‘Death extinguishes all. Once someone is gone, all grudges and resentments vanish, just
Eloise paused mid–bite. When she looked up at Athena, her eyes had welled up with unched tears.
But it lasted only a moment before vanishing
She lowered her head and devoured the food ravenously, wolfing it down as if only by stuffing her empty stomach i
solace.
Athena simply watched her in silence, her eyes revealing nothing
She thought, “Truth be told, I am not sure whether I hate Eloise or not
“I just fool it is my duty to see her through her final moments.
Eloise slowly set down her silverware, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and said coldly, “Leave I don’t want to sear you anymore
“Alright.“Athena slowly rose to her feet and walked out.
Just then, Eloise’s desperate voice called after her, “Willow. I want to see Willow!”
Athena shot Eloise a startled look, only to see her eyes bloodshot and welling with tears, desperate hope atched on her face.
It was surprising that the one she wanted to see was Willow
When Athena came to visit, Eloise lashed out at her with vicious words
Yet even in death, the one she cared about most was still Willow.
Athena gave a bitter, self–deprecating smile and strode out of the cell
Eloise lunged at the bars, her voice raw with desperation as she screamed after her, “I want to see Willow! I want to see my daughter…
Even as Athena walked out of the cell, she could still hear Eloise’s anguished cries echoing behind her.
Trina hutted indignantly. “Lady Athena, you really shouldn’t have come to sopher. Why subject yourself to such torment
Athena looked lost in thought and mused softly. “Trina, tell me. Why would a mother not love her own child?
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Trina thought for a moment and replied, “Maybe she didn’t like the child’s father, so the defn’t like the child either”
But then Trina shook her head. “No, that doesn’t add up. Lady Eloise truly loved Lord Henry Theard that willingly.”
s she married him, she did so quite
Athena glanced at Trina, a fleeting insight flashing through her mind. However, it was gone before she could catch it.
Her gut told her there must be a secret the didn’t know about,
Athena thought, ‘If it’s a well kept secret, then it must be something none of us would know about
A sudden thought struck Mhena. Perhaps she should ask Margaret,
“Back to the manor, now!” Athena urged ansiously
The carriage sped up, swiftly reaching Athena’s manor,
Athena got off the carriage and made a beeline for Margaret’s quarters.
To Athena’s surprise, Margaret seemed to have anticipated her visit. Gwen was already waiting at the entrance on her orders
“Lady Athena” Owen said with a warm smile, “Her Ladyship asked me to wait here for you.”
Athena looked surprised, “Grandmother actually knew I was coming?”
Gwen chuckled as she led Athena inside. “Indeed,” she said warmly
Once they entered the chamber, Geen withdrew
Inside the chamber, Margaret sat quietly in her armchair
Today, she seemed a little out of place. She had unexpectedly changed into full ceremonial robes, with the official Headdress of a noble woman on her
head
Athena stared at herin surprise. Margaret simply smiled and beckoned her closer. “Come here, Athena” she said.
Perhaps it was the lighting, but Athena noticed Margaret’s face looked slightly ashen
Preoccupied with her own thoughts, Athena didn’t dwell on it and took the seat to Margaret’s right.
Athena looked at Margaret, and said softly in puzzlement, “Grandmother, is there something you want to tell me?”
Margaret nodded, her expression complicated as she gazed at Athena, as if trying to etch her face permanently into her memory
Athena obediently took her seat. Margaret, noticing her tense expression, forced a faint, strained smile and said softly, “Athena, you must be wondering how I knew you were coming
“Yes,” Athena replied with a gentle nod
“Athena, have you also wondered why Eloise has always treated you so cruelly?
“Grandmother, please enlighten mi
Margaret gazed at Athena for a long moment, her expression unreadable, before finally saying: “Actually, you have an a
Athena’s eyes widened in astonishment. “But why has Grandfather never mentioned her?”
Margaret raised her hand slightly, signaling the to remain silent. Swallowing down all her burning questions, Athena could only listen patiently as Margaret spoke,
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Chapter 317
Margaret said, “General Perkins has two daughters. Your aunt, married, they were blissfully happy. At that time, your father was merely an
As Athena listened, she felt everything in her mind suddenly click into place
All those scattered images clicked together, forming a coherent picture. The truth was now within
AD
