Chapter 245

Athena’s aggressive questioning made Nicolas widen his eyes. His voice turned cold. “The affairs of the Monson family are none of your business, outsider.”

He finally saw her true colors. Athena was ungrateful. She had forgotten who protected her, who took her to temple fairs when she was young, who planted lotus flowers just for her. She couldn’t be raised to be loyal. She had no heart.

Words like that would have hurt Athena deeply in the past, but not anymore. She no longer had any hope for the Monson family.

She only spoke up for Fiona because she pitied her, a woman whose life was drained and who still wasn’t seen as human.

Nicolas was a complete scumbag.

“What? Did I hit a nerve, Your Highness?” Athena mocked. “If you had reason, you’d argue with facts. But you lose the debate and start insulting people? That’s your skill?”

The sarcasm in her voice stung Nicolas’s eyes like needles.

In a moment of desperation, he pointed a finger at her and shouted, “If anything happens to Cedric, I won’t let you off!”

Fiona was confused, looking at Nicolas blankly. “What does Cedric’s illness have to do with Athena?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Athena sighed lightly. “Your dear husband accused me today, said I caused his son’s worsening illness.”

She continued, “So now Radnor has summoned an imperial physician to examine the child and find the truth. I have to prove my own innocence.”

Fiona’s face twitched with shame. “Absurd. Absolutely absurd. Cedric’s condition has nothing to do with Athena Lin. How could you slander her like that?”

“Watch your tone!” Nicolas barked. “I’m not slandering her. If Cedric hadn’t taken her medicine, he wouldn’t be this ill.”

He straightened up and said firmly, “If my son’s fine, she’s fine. But if not…”

Then he turned his cold gaze on Fiona. “You’re a woman, long hair, short insight. Do you even know what she’s really thinking? You went to her for medicine without my consent.”

He added, “She’s full of malice and holds a grudge against everyone in this household. You really think she’d kindly treat Cedric? You gambled our son’s life. If anything happens to him, I won’t forgive you.”

Fiona shook her head in disbelief. “No, it’s not like that. Athena clearly said that to fully cure Cedric, he needed to take medicine continuously for six months.”

She added, “I saw it myself. Cedric was getting stronger. He used to cry all the time, so hard to handle. But recently, he’s been able to sleep through the night.”

Her face was streaked with tears, exhausted and pale. “You told me last night I was overworking myself and should let the wet nurse take care of him. But who would’ve thought his illness would suddenly worsen?”

“This was an accident. What does it have to do with Athena?” Fiona was sobbing, yet still defended Athena.

She had once believed that Nicolas didn’t like her because of her low birth, the daughter of a merchant. But eventually, she realized it wasn’t about status. He simply didn’t love her.

He would do anything for his adopted sister, regardless of her background, yet couldn’t give his own wife a kind word. He was heartless. Even after she nearly died in childbirth and bore him a son, he showed her no respect.

Nicolas, annoyed, barked at the servants, “Lady Fiona is likely delirious from exhaustion. Take her back to her room and don’t let her come out again.”

Two maids came up to drag her away, but Fiona shook them off and slowly stood up.

She faced Nicolas with calm, unwavering eyes and asked, “Tell me. What did I do wrong?”

Her voice was quiet, but her gaze was steady like still water.

But Nicolas’s heart pounded with unease. He recognized that look.

After returning from the military camp, Athena had looked at him the same way: cold, numb, without hope for anyone.

It had eventually turned into hatred, bitterness, and the determination to go down with him if needed.

He clenched his teeth, trying to suppress Fiona with his status. “A woman should follow rules and virtues. Look at yourself. Do you have the dignity of a matriarch?”

Fiona replied firmly, “You also learned virtues, but you forget one thing. A husband should be a moral guide. If he’s not, the wife has every right to leave.”

Her words rang loud and clear, her expression unshakable.

Nicolas had never seen her like this before. She used to obey everything he said, never daring to resist.

But today, because of Athena, she stood up to him. In front of others, she gave him no face.

Anger surged within Nicolas, and he was just about to lash out when the imperial physician finally spoke from inside the room.

“Lord Monson.”

Nicolas quickly composed himself and cupped his hands toward the physician. “Egbert, how is my son?”

Egbert looked at him meaningfully, silent for a few moments. Nicolas’s heart thumped anxiously.

Egbert was a highly respected doctor in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

No, that was impossible. He hadn’t poisoned the child. He knew Athena would be able to detect that easily through a pulse check. Poisoning would’ve been the worst strategy.

But the physician’s silence was unsettling.

Trying to stay calm, Nicolas asked, “Egbert, why do you hesitate? Is the condition serious?”

Egbert glanced at Athena, then at Nicolas, and finally said, “Lord Cedric’s illness is indeed serious, and his condition is currently very severe.”

“Did you check the medicine I prescribed?” Athena asked.

Egbert furrowed his brows and answered vaguely, “The prescription is sound for someone with weak health. There’s nothing wrong with the medicine itself. As for the cause of his worsening illness, I cannot say.”

He had treated countless illnesses, but everyone knew rest and recovery were more important than medicine.

Just now, he saw Cedric listless and lifeless. A troubling thought crossed his mind, but he dismissed it immediately.

It was absurd to even suspect that the child had been mistreated.

Cedric was the direct grandson of Henry, precious beyond words. No one would dare mistreat him.

Athena looked at Nicolas. “The imperial doctor says my prescription is fine. Are you still going to cling to this accusation?”

“But my son only got this sick after taking your medicine. Who else should I blame?” Nicolas sneered, looking as if Athena was meddling again.

Chapter 245

Athena replied, “My prescription has no problem. If you want to sue me, go ahead. But I’m suing you back.”

Athena stood tall, eyes cold. “You’re a court official accusing the Viscountess without evidence. That’s breaking the law, an extra crime added on top. Even if we take this to the King, I’ll be in the right.”

She turned and walked away.

Fiona called out anxiously, “Viscountess, where are you going?”

Athena replied, “The Heaven Hall, to file a complaint with the King.”

Radnor saw her leaving and quickly followed.

He thought, What a complete mess this is.

Two siblings fighting, and he was caught right in the middle.

He had to explain everything to the King clearly. He couldn’t let himself get dragged into this.