Chapter 368
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The Queen was certain Athena would not dare reveal the strand’s real nature, so she smiled smugly. “This is a token of my regard. You must wear it at a times so that everyone may see the harmony between sisters–in–law.”
With the words spoken, Athena had no room to refuse. She accepted the necklace with both hands and clasped it around her neck in front of the these
Then, Athena bowed respectfully to the Queen and said, “As Your Majesty commands.”
“Alright, you may rise.” The Queen smirked, her smile dripping with malice.
Only after Athena had gone did the Queen allow herself a peal of open laughter.
Fingering a jeweled hairpin, she said lazily, “Xander has been declawed. I don’t need to fear him again. When my son ascends the throne, their heads will roll.”
Because of Athena, Fermin had lost the powerful duke’s estate and the Osborne family. The Queen still ground her teeth in fury, longing to destroy both Athena and Xander.
She flexed scarlet–lacquered nails; her gaze turned venomous. “I shall play with them at my leisure.”
As Athena stepped out of the Queen’s chambers, she found Xander waiting for her just beyond the gates.
Xander’s eyes immediately locked onto the necklace around Athena’s neck, his brow furrowing with suspicion. He asked sharply, “That’s from the Queen?”
He had expected the Queen to bestow a trinket, but not that Athena would be wearing it.
Recalling palace intrigues, he reached for the necklace. “Let me see those beads.”
Athena guessed what Xander was about to do and linked her arm through his with a playful smile. “This is a gift from Her Majesty. Just some ladies‘ trinkets. What would you examine it?”
After being together for so long, the two already had a silent understanding between them.
Athena had her own reasons for not letting Xander examine the beads.
After leaving the palace and returning to the prince’s residence, Xander grew impatient and reached to remove the beads from her neck.
Athena stopped his hand and raised her brows. “What about the Princess?”
Winona had already pressured Xander. If he didn’t release her soon, she might come in person.
Rather than being forced, it was better to take initiative.
She was sure that after this ordeal, Lizzie would learn her lesson.
Xander withdrew his hand and looked at Ansel. “Take us to see Lizzie,” he ordered.
Ansel nodded and led the way.
Athena and Xander followed him down to a secret chamber. It was a hidden underground tunnel.
Ansel activated a mechanism, and a large stone slowly moved aside.
Xander held Athena’s hand as they descended into the passage, stopping in front of a tightly shut door.
Ansel pulled out a key and unlocked it.,
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Chapter 368
They entered a pitch–black room. When the light came on, the scene inside was revested.
Lizzie sat huddled in a corner, her hair disheveled, eyes blank.
It took a long while before she realized who had entered. It was Athena and Xander.
Both were dressed in splendid wedding attire, radiant and polished.
In contrast, she was filthy and bedraggled. The comparison made her blood boil with humiliation.
Lizzie struggled to her feet and, pointing at them, cursed, “You heartless pair! How dare you lock me up here? I’m going to the palace to tell Mother
Queen. You won’t get away with this!”
Since Xander had lost his military power, Lizzie no longer feared him. She shoved past them and stumbled toward the exit.
Just as she passed Athena, she heard a crisp voice. “A princess fallen to such a state. It’s all your own doing. If you had just behaved, would you have ended up suffering like this?”
Lizzie suddenly froze, stunned.
Her eyes widened in disbelief and venom as she stared at Athena. “You dare lecture me?”
“I’m your sister–in–law. Of course I dare.” Athena smiled mockingly. “As a royal princess, yet you stoop to such disgraceful conduct. You bring shame to the imperial family and disgrace yourself in the eyes of the world.”
That last line hit Lizzie like a slap in the face.
She had always been domineering and had never been scolded by anyone.
Yet Athena called her disgraceful and said she shamed the royal family.
It was like she had been stabbed in her weakest spot. Screaming, she lunged at Athena.
Xander was about to step in, but Athena pushed him back and instead charged toward Lizzie herself.
Seeing this, Xander seemed to understand something and stepped aside to watch.
Driven to madness by Athena’s words, Lizzie clawed at Athena’s face. But Athena tightly protected the beaded necklace on her chest and shouted, “Stop! Don’t touch me, you lunatic! This necklace was bestowed by the Queen. There are only two of them in the world!”
Lizzie, fueled by fury and jealousy, grew even more crazed.
The more Athena protected it, the more it meant to her.
She reached out, grabbed the beads, and yanked hard.
With a sharp snap, the necklace broke and scattered across the floor.
Athena conveniently fell to the ground, her hair disheveled, even bearing a mark on her face.
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“Enough!” Xander roared as Lizzie moved forward again. He kicked her square in the chest, sending her flying with a scream.
She crashed heavily into the ground.
Still fuming, she pointed at Athena and shouted, “I’m going to tear your mouth apart!”
Xander stepped forward and shielded Athena. With ice in his voice, he barked, “You still don’t understand your position? That necklace was an imperial gift. Destroying it is a grave offense.”
11:28 Sun, 20 Jul G
Chapter 368
Jul G00
His voice thundered through the room like a storm Lizzie’s mind went blank for a moment, then slowly recovered
She looked at Xander in panic. “A… an imperial gift?” she stammered.
Destroying something granted by the King or Queen was punishable by flogging
Only then did Lizzie realize Athena had set her up.
She snapped, “You bitch! You dared to trap me…”
Before she could finish, Xander slapped her across the face,
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His gaze was cold and sharp. “Athena is my wife, your sister–in–law. Insulting her is insubordination. Guards! Take Lizzie to the Queen Mother and ask her to uphold justice.”
“I won’t go! I won’t go!” Lizzie shrieked and thrashed. But Ansel had no patience for her antics.
Like picking up a chick, he dragged her out and tossed her onto a carriage.
Not long after, the group arrived at Winona’s palace…
Also present were the King and the Queen.
“Mother, save me, please save me!” Lizzie cried as she threw herself at Winona, showing her bruises. “Xander imprisoned me and hit me. Look at my injuries! Please help me!”
Winona’s heart ached at the sight of her disheveled daughter.
But no matter how much she loved her, she couldn’t protect her this time.
“Silence!” Winona snapped, her voice thunderous. “You dare cry for help after committing such disgrace? You’ve gone too far!”
