Chapter 273

The butler bowed in acknowledgment and was about to withdraw when, suddenly, urgent voices rang out from beyond the courtyard, "My lord, you mustn’t enter, My Lord…"

At the sound, Athena frowned.

Sure enough, Henry and Eloise barged in, with the servants trailing behind them, too intimidated to offer more than token resistance.

The two of them waltzed right into the house as if they owned the place.

"Mother!" Henry and Eloise exclaimed in unison as they entered, immediately falling to their knees at the feet of Margaret.

With contrived expressions of shame, Henry and Eloise wailed. Through his tears, Henry cried, "I have caused you such distress, Mother!"

With that, they prostrated themselves, their foreheads hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

Margaret’s brows knitted, her voice cold. "What are you two doing here now? Are you trying to drive this old woman to her grave?"

Henry lifted his head, frantically waving his hands. "Mother, I have truly come to take the blame for that unfilial boy. Scold me, beat me—I accept it all."

"Mother, the immense trouble Matthew has caused is entirely my fault as his mother. Whatever punishment you decide, I, your daughter-in-law, will accept it," Eloise choked out between sobs, looking utterly pathetic.

Margaret’s heart softened for a moment, but remembering all their past deceit, a chill settled over her heart again.

She shook her head slightly and sighed. "Have you truly come to make amends today, or are you harboring ulterior motives? I may be advanced in years, but my mind is still sharp. If you’re seeking something from me, I’m afraid you’ll be sorely disappointed.

"I have toiled for the duke’s estate my entire life. Now, I have neither the strength nor the will to go on. You may leave."

Henry faltered for a moment, his eyes darkening with hidden thoughts, but he quickly shook his head in denial. "Mother, I am your own flesh and blood. No matter how disgraceful I may be, I would never exploit my own mother. My wife and I are here today sincerely to make amends."

"Indeed, Mother, won’t you grant us forgiveness this once?" Eloise hastily pleaded.

With red-rimmed eyes, Eloise gazed desperately at Margaret and pleaded, "Ever since you left, Mother, the entire estate has fallen into utter chaos. I’m utterly incompetent at managing such a vast household. I beg you, please return and take charge of everything."

Eloise raised the housekeeping keys high with both hands, her voice trembling with sincerity as she pleaded, "Mother, please give us another chance."

Through all their dramatic weeping and pleading, it was clear their only goal was to persuade Margaret to return.

"Lord Henry, Lady Eloise," Athena, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "After putting on this pitiful act and making all these promises, let me guess–are you trying to get Grandmother back just so she can pay off that unfilial Matthew’s gambling debts?"

That one sentence made Henry’s face darken.

Even Eloise stopped crying, her eyes wide and staring blankly at Athena. With clear displeasure, she snapped, "Athena, I know you resent us, but how could you monopolize your grandmother and keep her from returning to the estate? Rumors are swirling everywhere, accusing us of being unfilial. Doesn’t your conscience bother you?"

As if she’d suffered some grave injustice, Eloise dramatically burst into crocodile tears.

The hatred in Eloise’s eyes grew even more intense.

Henry snorted coldly. "You may be heartless enough to turn your back on us, Athena, but we would never abandon our own mother.

"Even beasts know to care for their parents, yet you turn your back on us without hesitation. All those years we spent raising you—completely wasted!"

"Enough!" Margaret roared angrily. "No one knows Athena better than I do. If you hadn’t doted on that adopted daughter and mistreated Athena, why else would she have left the estate?"

Margaret snapped, "Now you have the audacity to turn things around and smear Athena’s name!"

Margaret’s relentless scolding left Henry and Eloise so ashamed they couldn’t even lift their heads to meet her eyes.

Any lingering hesitation in Margaret’s heart vanished, replaced by steely resolve. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she declared coldly, "I will not return. Both of you, leave at once and don’t ever come back."

Desperate, Henry shuffled forward on his knees a few steps until he reached Margaret. "Mother," he pleaded, "I know I was wrong—truly, I do. Please, I beg you, come back home with your son."

His tearful expression seemed genuine.

But Athena felt suspicious. Since when had Henry—a man who only cared about profit—ever shown any real affection for his family?

Back when Margaret was still living at the estate, Henry simply stood by and let Eloise usurp all her power.

Now they were so desperate to make peace. What’s their real game this time?’ Athena wondered suspiciously. What could the Monsons possibly need Grandma for now!"

Athena lowered her eyes, thinking for a moment. Then, suddenly, she looked up—she’d figured it out.

Matthew and Joseph were both of marriageable age. One had been stripped of his official post, while the other was banished to the military.

It couldn’t be for Joseph’s marriage prospects, which meant it had to be Matthew.

Margaret, bearing an official imperial title bestowed by the court, held an exalted status.

If Margaret were to act as matchmaker, she could undoubtedly secure a prestigious marriage for Matthew.

It could even turn things around for the entire duke’s estate.

Now that she understood, Athena thought with growing disdain, her contempt for Henry deepening.

Athena scoffed inwardly, ‘All that talk of reconciliation and apology? It was all fake. They haven’t changed a bit—still the same hypocrites, only caring about their own interests.”

Athena turned anxiously to Margaret and implored, her voice urgent, "Grandmother, you mustn’t go back!"

She didn’t have proof, but she was almost sure.

Seeing Athena getting anxious, Margaret gave her a reassuring nod. "Don’t worry, Athena," she said gently. "I am not going anywhere."

She had long since seen through her son’s hypocrisy, and her heart had grown cold toward him.

Even though Henry was kneeling before her, Margaret didn’t change her mind.

Henry’s scheme had failed. He shot Athena a venomous glare and snorted, "Excellent. Truly a 'good' daughter."

"Athena!" Eloise snapped, her voice sharp with accusation. "How could you drive a wedge between your father and your grandmother? When word of this gets out, how will you ever face anyone?" Her eyes burned with undisguised hatred as she glared at Athena.

Eloise’s venomous glare pierced Athena’s heart like a needle, sending a brief twinge through her.

Yet, the brief twinge vanished in an instant.

I can’t lose what I never had, Athena thought.

Athena flashed a faint, sarcastic smile. "I’d be truly unfilial if I sent Grandma back. When she was at your estate, she was bedridden for more than twenty days each month. Now, under my care, she’s not only healthy and free from illness, but can even go out to enjoy the opera. And you still dare claim you took proper care of her?

"Let the rumors spread—I don’t care. My only concern is Grandmother’s health. As for everything else, do as you please."

Athena’s defiant words wiped the smug looks right off Henry and Eloise’s faces.

Realizing at last that Margaret’s mind was made up, Henry and Eloise abruptly ceased their pleading.

Henry and Eloise rose to their feet, Henry let out a heavy, pointed sigh. "Since Mother is so set on not returning to the estate," he said, his tone laced with carefully crafted disappointment, "then there’s nothing more to say. But Mother, have you truly thought this through? Is staying here with Athena really in her best interest?"

Henry said, "Before she’s even married, she’s already sowing discord between you and me. If she were to marry into the Xander Manor, do you really think the dowager princess would accept her?"

With those final words, Henry took Eloise by the arm and strode out.

Margaret’s eyes dimmed, a shadow passing over her face—Henry’s words had clearly struck a nerve.

As an old woman, she had nothing to fear from gossip. But Athena was different. After all she’d suffered, she’d finally found happiness. She didn’t want Athena to be targeted by her in-laws due to these rumors.