Chapter 243

Nicolas’s brows were tightly furrowed. He glanced at Eloise, who was looking at him with a worried expression.

In contrast, Henry appeared much calmer, as if no matter how shocking Nicolas’s idea might be, he would remain unfazed.

“Mother, go check on Cedric. He’s been crying non-stop these past few days. Fiona is completely exhausted from taking care of him.”

Eloise’s heart trembled. He was clearly trying to send her away.

She hesitated to leave, but Henry spoke up. “Go. You staying here will only make things more complicated. It won’t help Matthew at all.”

Having received the order, Eloise didn’t dare remain. She could only rise and leave.

As soon as she was gone, Nicolas returned to the main topic. “We only need to stall Athena. And I happen to have a plan.”

“What plan?” Henry asked, puzzled.

“Cedric,” Nicolas replied calmly, though his gaze was firm. “Half a month ago, Cedric started taking medicine prescribed by Athena. If anything happens to him, she won’t be able to escape blame.”

Henry gasped. “But… won’t that hurt Cedric? His health has always been fragile. What if something really happens to him?”

Nicolas looked genuinely pained. “There’s no other way. I can’t just stand by and watch Athena destroy the entire duke’s estate.”

“I support your decision,” Matthew chimed in casually. “It can’t be helped. As for the risk, that’s just his fate. If something happens, you can always take a few more concubines. Fiona can give birth again.”

Hearing such callous words, Henry was so furious he almost slapped him. “Shut up! Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth. Cedric is my legitimate grandson!”

Henry valued Cedric deeply and naturally didn’t want him harmed.

“Don’t worry, Father. Cedric is my own flesh and blood. I’ll be careful,” Nicolas said, clenching his fists. If it weren’t absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t dream of doing this to his own son.

He added, “It’s only a few days of illness. It won’t do any real harm.”

Henry finally relaxed a bit. “Then you must be extremely careful. Nothing must go wrong. If Athena is busy worrying over Cedric, she’ll have no energy left to deal with Willow.”

Having received his father’s approval, Nicolas nodded. “Understood, Father.”

At the Monson Residence.

Athena had already received news from the Justice Ministry.

She knew the Osborne family was powerful and would never allow the Justice Ministry to arrest Willow. Even so, she would fight to the end.

Neither Matthew nor Willow would escape justice.

The matter was being kept tightly under wraps. Margaret remained unaware.

“Miss, the Osborne family is pulling strings everywhere to protect Willow. I fear this case will endolved,” Marquita said anxiously. Ever since the Justice Ministry’s response yesterday, things had seemed off.

Clearly, someone had been bribed. Otherwise, the case wouldn’t have taken such a turn.

Athena gently rotated her cup and nodded. “I’ll go to Xander Manor later; they can’t override him.”

Task Prince Xander for help. No matter how powerful the Osborne family is…

Truthfully, when she made her move against Willow, Athena had already prepared for the worst.

She wasn’t just going up against Willow, but the entire duke’s estate, the Osborne family, Fermin, and even the Queen.

That was why she’d delayed taking action for so long.

Those three powerhouses would do everything they could to protect Willow. And she, by comparison, was all alone.

Just then, Trina burst in, panicked. “My lady, the… the Justice Ministry is here…”

Seeing her expression, Athena asked calmly, “What happened? Calm down and tell me.”

Trina was on the verge of tears. “The Monson family… they accused you. Said the medicine you gave Lord Cedric was problematic. He’s now unconscious. The Ministry wants to take you in for questioning.”

“What?” Marquita shot to her feet, furious. “Does the Monson family have no conscience? If it weren’t for you treating Lord Cedric, would his health have improved at all?”

She added, “A condition like his takes at least a year or two to properly manage. This is betrayal at its worst!”

Marquita was livid, nearly cursing them outright.

Athena hadn’t expected the Monson family to stoop so low.

She had agreed to treat Cedric precisely because she feared they might pull a stunt like this. She had guarded against everything, yet still fell into their trap.

But now that things had happened, she couldn’t just sit and wait.

She was confident her medicine had no issue, so the problem must lie with the Monson family.

Thinking of Willow’s case, she suddenly understood the Monson family’s motive.

They were warning her to stop pursuing the investigation. They were scared and guilty. And the more they acted like this, the more determined Athena became.

The official from the Ministry was the same as before, Radnor. When he saw Athena, he felt uneasy.

The Monson family’s sudden accusation clearly reeked of foul play.

But since an official complaint had been filed, he had to follow procedure.

Radnor said, “My apologies, Viscountess. I must trouble you to accompany this official to the Justice Ministry.”

Athena didn’t make a fuss. She asked with a smile, “What did the Monson family accuse me of?”

Radnor replied, “They say you prescribed the wrong medicine, causing the young master’s condition to worsen. He’s now critically ill.”

Radnor sighed helplessly. “The boy is in serious condition. Please accompany me so we can conduct an inquiry.”

Athena had the same idea. She needed to see Cedric with her own eyes to determine whether this was genuine deterioration or a deliberate act of sabotage.

After all, the Monson family had done worse before.

“I’ll go with you,” she said.

Radnor gave Athena Monson a respectful nod and said gently, “Please don’t worry, Viscountess. This is just routine questioning, not a formal summons.

He wasn’t stupid. Athena was the future consort of Xander. He’d be crazy to help the Monson family go after her.

If Xander got involved, his own life wouldn’t be worth much.

When they arrived at the yamen, Nicolas was already there.

Seeing Athena appear, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes.

If only she hadn’t pushed things so far, he wouldn’t have to do this.

Athena noticed the false pity in his gaze and sneered inwardly. “Such a heartless heir of the house. I saved your son, and you drag me to court. If I had known this would happen, I’d never have helped him.”

“Athena, don’t be arrogant!” Nicolas snapped. “My son was perfectly healthy. If it weren’t for your medicine, he wouldn’t be in critical condition. I’m here for justice for Cedric. He’s just a baby. How could you hurt a child?”

He played the part of the grieving father perfectly, twisting the truth with surprising skill.

Athena said, “Did you have the imperial doctors examine him? Who said it was my medicine? He was fine before. Why the sudden decline?”

She added, “If the medicine really is the cause, I’ll take responsibility. But if not, then I’ll sue you for false accusation.”

Her voice rang out clearly in the courtroom. Athena stood her ground without an ounce of fear. Her eyes were steady, full of conviction.

Instead, Nicolas wavered. He hadn’t really intended to press charges. He just wanted her to back off from Willow’s case.

He put on an anguished expression. “We’re family. Must we fight to the death like this? I only wanted an apology. If you yield a little, I’ll withdraw the complaint.”

Athena sneered coldly, her face full of disdain. “Did you think the yamen belonged to you? That you can file charges or withdraw them at will? I will get to the bottom of Cedric’s condition.”

In other words, if it turned out she wasn’t responsible, she’d sue Nicolas for defamation.