Chapter 123

Margaret looked at the two of them, silent as they were, and let out a cold snort. "What now? Cat got your tongue?"

Henry fell deeply ashamed. He bowed to Margaret and said, "No, it’s not that. I’ve already punished Joseph by sending him to the military camps so he can temper his character. He won’t cause trouble again."

"Yes, yes, please calm down," Eloise added hastily, knowing she was in the wrong. "I am willing to kneel in Memorial Hall for three days as penance."

Seeing their remorseful attitude, Margaret shook her head slightly. She sighed and said earnestly, "You think I clutch tightly to the family’s assets out of stinginess, but you don’t understand. These are the very foundation of the duke’s state."

She continued, "If that foundation crumbles, we will collapse like a dilapidated tower. When that happens, where will we go? What future will this house have?"

Both Henry and Eloise drew in sharp breaths, clearly shaken.

Eloise looked at Margaret’s face, her eyes reddening. "You’re right. But this matter isn’t entirely Joseph’s fault. The household has been facing difficulties, and he only wanted to help us get through them. That’s why he did what he did."

She added, "Even though he did the wrong thing, he had a good intention. You know his temperament. He’s not bold by nature."

As she spoke, Eloise broke down sobbing.

Athena frowned at her display. "So Lady Eloise, you’re saying it’s acceptable for him to secretly open Grandmother’s storeroom? Just because the household is in trouble caused by your own doing, why should Grandmother bear the burden for your mistakes? How does that make any sense?"

Athena pressed in, leaving no room to retreat, flustering Eloise. She sniffed and quickly replied, "It’s my fault. I dare not ask for forgiveness. Just accept any punishment. Don’t blame Joseph. Blame me instead."

She knelt to the floor, forehead touching the ground, a picture of submission.

Margaret let out a heavy breath and said tiredly, "If he truly cared for me, why would he bring me a calming soup?"

Eloise was stunned speechless at those words.

Athena spoke up for Margaret. "Joseph drugged Grandmother with a calming soup so he could steal the key. Is this what you call a good heart?"

She let out a cold laugh. "He dared to scheme against Grandmother, and yet you still defend him?"

With the evidence laid bare, Eloise had no words left.

She kept murmuring in disbelief, "This can’t be… Joseph isn’t that kind of person."

"But he did it," Margaret said with a sigh. "I’m utterly disappointed in you all. Punishment or no punishment, what difference does it make? Though I won’t pursue this matter further, I’ll make myself clear today."

She looked at Eloise and Henry with her cloudy eyes. "If you dare scheme against me or Athena again, move to the West Hills estate and spend my remaining years in peace."

"Mother…" Henry was instantly alarmed. "How can that be? If you leave the house, what will people think of me?"

"Yes, scold us. Just don’t talk about leaving," Eloise said quickly.

Athena looked at the two of them with obvious scorn. "In the end, you’re still only thinking of yourselves."

She couldn’t believe she had actually thought they were sincerely repenting. As expected, people who have rotten hearts don't change.

Margaret waved her hand tiredly. "Leave. I’m exhausted."

Henry and Eloise still wanted to speak, but Given stepped forward and said, "My Lord, Madam, please."

There were few people as shameless as this.

Seeing Margaret turn her face away, Henry knew it was pointless to say more. He slowly rose, disheartened, and walked out. Eloise followed, her face full of bitterness.

Outside the courtyard, Henry turned to her coldly. "If you can’t ease Mother’s anger, I won’t let you off." He snorted, his eyes full of warning.

Eloise knew she was in the wrong and didn’t dare say anything. She stood there for a long while before heading toward the Memorial Hall, her steps heavy.

Dorothea quickly followed and asked, "Madam, are you really going to kneel in the Memorial Hall for three days? Your health won’t take it."

It was already October, and the nights had turned cold. The Memorial Hall was damp and chilly. Especially at night, it would be hard to endure.

Eloise gave a bitter smile, her eyes full of helplessness. "If I don’t do this, Lady Margaret won’t calm down. A little suffering is worth it if there is a chance to ease her anger."

There was something more important she didn’t say aloud. If Margaret truly left the estate, she would take her wealth with her. Without her support, the household would collapse.

“Did Lady Athena not plead for you?” Dorothea asked indignantly.

Thinking of Athena’s cold, unfeeling face, Eloise felt a stab of pain. Her eyes welled up again. She wiped away her tears with a finger. “That child doesn’t acknowledge me anymore. Why would she plead for me?”

Dorothea sighed softly, regret in her eyes. "If she had stayed with you growing up, she’d surely be close to you. Things wouldn’t be like this."

Eloise’s heart ached even more. She didn’t know why her daughter treated her so coldly. Even if they hadn’t grown up together, they shared the same blood. Yet, Athena was so indifferent to her.

News of Eloise’s punishment quickly reached Willow. At the time, Willow was sitting at a table doing embroidery. When she heard the news, her head snapped up in shock. "Grandmother really punished Mother?"

Chapter 123 Nona stomped her foot in worry. "It’s true! I heard it clearly! Lady Eloise is to kneel in the Memorial Hall for three days! What should we do?"

Willow couldn’t sit still. She stood up in alarm. “No, I must go see Mother. I can’t let her suffer alone in that cold place.”

“I’ll come with you,” Nona hurried after her.

As they neared the hall, Willow grew more and more anxious. Last time she was here, she nearly died in line. If not for Athena deliberately giving her an oil lamp, she wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Willow took a deep breath and walked in. “Mother?” she called softly.

Eloise, kneeling on a mat, looked up at the sound of her daughter’s voice. Seeing her, she felt both comforted and pained. She thought Willow was a good daughter. She even risked punishment to come see her. Though her heart was full, she said aloud, "Willow, go back. How could you come here?"

“Why can’t I come?” Willow threw her arms around her and wept bitterly. "It’s all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn’t be suffering like this."

The mother and daughter wept in each other’s arms, a sorrowful scene.

Just then, Matthew arrived at the doorway and saw the scene. He was absolutely furious.

He had just returned and learned that the household was in chaos. The servants told him Athena had summoned the authorities to arrest her own brother. Now, Joseph was sent to the military as punishment.

Even their mother was implicated, punished by Margaret to kneel in the Memorial Hall.

Matthew clenched his fists tightly. It was time to teach Athena a lesson.