Chapter 323
trollably
always brimming with the superiority
archioness of Somers, was now el–hed with fear.
lat it meant to be afraid
“is that truly se? Athena slowly crouched down, the dagger in her hand glinting coldly in the darkness
i
Shefard Willow with a piercing stare, making her so terrified the couldn’t meet Athena’s eyes
Under Alfena’s intense questioning,
spare my life”
finally nodded “it’s true, I wouldn’t dare deceive you, sister. For the sake of our child
was shaking like a leaf in fear, but Athena’s fury only burned horter with each p
Thi
Mary were brutally murdered
h passing moment.
if not for Willow’s nation, how could Thalia have been killed by Matthew? Athena thought bitterly.
Achanta remained unmoved. She slowly drew a gleaming dagger from her sleeve, the Eight in her eyes
glinting coldly in the faint moonlight,
K$113
She said, “Blood demands blood, debts must be repaid. Though you didn’t wield the blade yourself, Macy and Thalia died because of you. You can’t
Her words camed the cold of the deepest hell.
Athens raised her dagger and leveled it at Willow’s chest
Just then, a piercing scream shattered the eerie silence.
“No!” Eloise stumbled out from behind a tree, her skirt caked with mud, hair wild and disheveled, eyes filled with terror and despair.
With a thud, she fell to he
fault, ille instead
efore Athena, clutching Athena’s leg ightly as tears streamed down her face. “Please, she’s just a child. It’s all my
Eloise beat her chest in anguish, pleading desperately
Athena’s body stiffened abruptly, her hand gripping the dagger trembling ever so slightly
She looked down at Elone, a flicker of complicated emotion in her eyes, quickly swallowed by burning hatred.
Athena said angrily, “You think just saying “it’s all your fault‘ can make things right? Back then, you and your family drove my mother to utter despair. She
died of justice
you want me to spare her what gives you
“You stole her identity and reveled in luxury, yet you didn’t even leave her a single path to survival. And now you that right?”
A look of shock crossed Eloise’s face, then understanding dawned.
Eloise thought. So Athena knows the truth. Margaret must have told her b
her before she died.
“She brought Wow here today to get something out of me
Elise apologized while sobbing, “I was wrong All these years, I’ve repented daily, tormented by nightmares every night
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Chapter 323
“I do anything. Just spare Willow. She’s ind
Sering Elone in such a desperate state, guilt and tent churned inside Willow’s heart. She cried out, “Mather, don’t beg
But even as those benen word half helps, her body trembled uncontrollably
Athena sered. “I’m not saying I won’t spare her. Just tell me the Monson family’s secrets, and maybe consider giving her a way out
Eloise stated at Athena, wide eyed, her eyes round as copper beth.
She darted her gate around in panic, stammering. “No, I don’t know I don’t know anything
Athena could tell from her expression that there was no way she didn’t know She was just too scared to say it.
Athena viciously plunged the dagger into Willow’s shoulder. Willow burst into tears and waited, “Mother, it hurts. It hurts so much
“No, pleasel” Eloise was terrified out of her wits, her eyes darting frantically the pleaded with Athena, “What do you want to know y
everything
Athena yanked the dagger free, eliciting another shriek of pain from Willow.
She food Willow with a frigid glare, Terrified, Willow clenched her teeth, stding any further sound.
Athena fixed Eloise with a steely gaze and demanded, “What really happened when Willow was poisoned all those years ago?
Eloise gazed at Willow, her heart aching as blood streamed down Willow’s body and her face was smeared with dirt
This pitiful sight nearly shattered her heart.
‘My poor Willow, she thought desperately
Elbise choked back a sob and slowly confessed, “It was me, I set a trap so Willow could take your place.”
Desperately trying to justify herself, she hurriedly added. “But I swear, I never meant to harm you just wanted you out of the duke’s estate. I never imagined things would escalate like this. I did’t know that they’d be so cruel as to send you to the military camp for discipline.
“I was only looking out for my daughter. I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone.”
Behind the bushes, Michael’s eyes widened in shock.
He had ever imagined the truth would be like this.
He thought, ‘So Eloise isn’t Athena’s real mother, and the one responsible for all of this is me.
Thave teamed up with Nicolas to send Athena to the military camp.
How could I have been so utterly blind, agreeing to send her there and then ignoring her for three years, leaving her to fend for herself?
‘Athena endured endless torment, yet still hoped I would bring her home.
And what have I done?
“While Athena was suffering abuse, I was busy pampering Willow and doing everything to make her happy
“When Athena couldn’t even get a proper meal, would scour the city and wait in line for hours just to buy Willow her favorite pastries
“I had spared even a single thought for Athena, she wouldn’t hate me so much now.
Eloise was a criminal, then so was l
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Chapter 321
Large, heavy tears streamed down Michaels face
lord on Athe
His bloodshot eyes lord on Athens, and a thousand ammas had pierend hisheart. The pain cut in his very hones
He thought, “My Athena. She used to adore me so much
“It’s all my fault‘
Michael clenched his teeth, his fingernails digging deep into his palms until blood welled up between his fingers.
A faint nuntle came from behind the bushes. Athena subtly blocked Eloise’s view and asked, “Did you have anything to do with my mother’s deat
Eloise froze before glancing at Athena with a guilty conscience.
Seeing Athena’s icy expression and the murderous glint in her eyes,
hope.
yes, Eloise knew there was no escaping
fate, yet she still clung to a desperate fleeting
She shook her head, her eyes darting evasively. “No, it wasn’t me.”
“It wasn’t you?” Athena’s voice turned razor–sharp from the moment you stole my mother’s identity, you never intend it, I still hold you accountable for her death”
ther live. Even if you decy
Eloise stared at Athena in horror, a flicker of anger in her eyes. But as Jessa stopped forward, his menacing aura instantly extinguished ner defianc
She was just a defenseless woman. There was no chance she could escape from Athens today,
With nothing left to lose, Eloise slumped to the ground and let out a bitter laugh. “No wonder i escaped from the Federal Bureau oily. So this was your plan all along. You took Willow hostage, using her as leverage to force me to reveal the Monson family secrets, didn’t you!”
Athena let out a cold chuckle. “You’re only realizing that now? My patience is wearing thin. You’d best confess everything quickly.”
“Aterall, I’m still your aunt. Would you really kill me? Eloise walled in utter despair, making a last–ditch attempt to emotionally blackmail Athira with
their family ties
AD
