Chapter 312
Eloise stared at Athena in shock, as if she were looking at a terrifying monster. Never in her wildest dreams had Eloise imagined that Athena would want her dead. Not only was Athena determined to send Eloise to prison, but she also intended to bring down the entire duke’s estate. What a heart of stone! Eloise thought. She opened her mouth to protest, but Jessa shoved her out the door. Throughout it all, Athena never so much as turned her head. Standing outside Athena’s residence, Eloise stared at the walls that now separated them. It was only then that the truth finally dawned on her. Athena wasn’t easily deceivable anymore. Athena was no longer the naive girl who could be easily swayed by a few sweet words and would affectionately call her “Mother.”
“Go to the Osborne family,” Henry muttered, his face turning ashen. It was hard to tell whether it was from fury or heartbreak. Henry thought bitterly, “I am Athena’s father, yet she dared to throw me out. What a ridiculous farce. “Some good daughter she turned out to be.” Eloise wiped away her tears and nodded. “Now, only the Osborne family can save us.” Flo felt relieved. She felt that it was fortunate to have Willow marry Michael. At this time, Eloise felt that the Osborne family wouldn’t abandon the duke’s estate. Eloise comforted herself while thinking, “Nicolas and Michael grew up together. Given their close bond from childhood, the Osborne family couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.” Filled with high hopes, Eloise and Henry went to the Osborne residence. Although they weren’t turned away, Kelsey came to handle the matter. As for Michael and Willow, neither showed up. Eloise and Henry exchanged uneasy glances. They wondered what exactly the Osborne family was implying. “The verdict hasn’t even been finalized yet, and they’re already trying to distance themselves from us?” Eloise and Henry thought bitterly. With a practiced smile, Kelsey said, “I asked Willow about your health the other day. Seeing you in such good spirits today, Lady Eloise, I presume you’ve recovered quite well.” She kept the conversation strictly to polite pleasantries, carefully avoiding any other topics. Eloise had no patience for small talk. After a few moments, she cut straight to the point. “We’re here today not for chit-chat, but because we need the Osborne family’s help.” Before Eloise could finish, Kelsey was seized by a sudden coughing fit. Her maidservant rushed over to gently pat her back, and it took quite a while before she finally composed herself. Kelsey said apologetically to Eloise, “Do pardon my feeble constitution. I caught a chill some time ago and still haven’t fully recovered.” She paused before continuing, “As we age, it’s only natural to develop chronic ailments. Even a simple cold becomes stubbornly persistent, and the smallest wound takes forever to heal. The other day, I accidentally injured my fingernail. I couldn’t be bothered to trim the broken part, hoping it might still mend itself.
Chapter 312
“I didn’t expect to hit it again today, and the whole nail ripped right off. Now even my other finger has a dull ache. Better a short, sharp pain than a long drawn-out one, so I just pulled the whole thing out myself.” Kelsey rambled on at length before suddenly turning to look at Eloise and Henry. Kelsey smiled apologetically. “Oh dear, I do tend to ramble on. I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch what you were saying just now, Lady Eloise. Would you mind repeating it?” Eloise and Henry were no fools. They had clearly read between the lines of Kelsey’s words. Kelsey was making it clear to them that Nicolas’s transgressions were already past the point of no return. Kelsey was suggesting that rather than dragging the Osborne family into this mess, it would be wiser to focus on self-preservation. But Nicolas was both the Monson family’s eldest son and the heir apparent. Henry could not possibly bear to abandon him. To think the once-prestigious duke’s estate had fallen so low, a wave of bitter sorrow washed over Henry. Athena’s remarks that the duke’s estate was finished only deepened the torment in his heart. He thought, “The duke’s estate can’t just fall into ruin like this. I can’t let the centuries-old legacy be destroyed on my watch.” After a long moment of contemplation, Henry turned to Kelsey and said, “Lady Kelsey, I understand your words. But no matter how much it pains me, Nicolas is my son. How could I just abandon him? “Our families are related by marriage. If the Osborne family can help the Monson family this time, you would be our eternal benefactors. From then on, the Monson family will follow your lead without question.”
Faced with such humility from Henry, even Kelsey found her resolve faltering. However, in this matter, there was genuinely nothing she could do. After all, the Osborne family had no intention of wading into such troubled waters. “You flatter me, Your Grace,” Kelsey replied with a smile, “Our families are bound by marriage. There’s no need for such formality. If the Osborne family can be of any help, we’d be honored to assist. However…” Kelsey sighed. “This case involves both Eloise and Nicolas; if it were anyone else meddling, maybe things would be easier. But with Prince Xander and Athena involved, even if I were to shamelessly plead with the Queen, she would still be utterly powerless to help. “Prince Xander holds such high authority that no one dares speak but of him in his presence.” Her earlier remarks were just polite pleasantries, but only the last sentence came straight from the heart. No one could pull any tricks under Xander’s watch. Otherwise, Nicolas wouldn’t have been caught so easily. Eloise’s face turned ghostly pale, while Henry teetered weakly as if about to collapse. If the Queen had wanted to intervene, she wouldn’t have allowed Nicolas to be taken to the Federal Bureau in the first place. The Queen was clearly setting Nicolas up as the scapegoat. At this thought, Henry was so furious he nearly choked on his rage. Nicolas has always been so composed. Why did he lose all sense of judgment over this? Henry wondered inwardly. However, it was too late for regrets at that moment. Henry’s eyes darted helplessly. Just then, Kelsey’s calm voice floated over, “Maybe things aren’t as hopeless as they seem. “In my opinion, this predicament isn’t unsolvable. As long as Nicolas firmly denies everything, an assassin’s testimony can’t prove much.
Chapter 312
“Worst case, just find someone to take the fall for Nicolas.” As Kelsey spoke, her gaze subtly drifted toward Eloise. However, Eloise was wholly absorbed in concern for Nicolas. She remained completely oblivious. Henry’s chest tightened. His eyes flickered with calculation before he slowly leaned back into his chair. Henry thought, ‘Finding someone to take the fall for Nicolas might actually work! “But who could I possibly find to take the fall! The person must be a family member, and they have to be willing to take the fall for Nicolas. Henry’s gaze locked on Eloise. Then, a dark and ruthless urge nearly consumed him. Kelsey remarked almost casually, “The Queen has her hands full at the moment. But if the Monson family can resolve this crisis, Her Majesty will certainly remember this favor.” As she spoke, she cast a significant, smiling glance at Henry. Only then did Henry realize that the Queen was actually speaking through Kelsey. Only then did he realize the Queen actually intended for Eloise to take sole responsibility for the entire affair. This way, not only can the duke’s estate be preserved, but Fermin could also stay out of this mess. *Sacrificing Eloise alone to save the entire family seems like a bargain, Henry thought. He let out a wry, self-deprecating smile and rose to his feet. “Lady Kelsey, I understand perfectly well what you’re implying. I take my leave.” Still utterly bewildered, Eloise looked at Henry and asked in confusion, “We’re leaving already!” “We haven’t finished discussing the matter yet, How can we leave?” Eloise thought anxiously. But Henry strode out without so much as a backward glance. Eloise could only follow after him. On the way back, Eloise couldn’t hold back her anxiety. She asked softly, “My lord, if we just leave like this, what will happen to Nicolas? Eloise’s eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her mind was consumed entirely by thoughts of Nicolas. Nothing else even crossed her mind. Henry gazed at his wife’s face, slowly reached out and placed his hand on the back of hers, giving it a firm squeeze. “Eloise,” he said softly. Eloise froze for a moment when she suddenly heard Henry call her like that. Immediately, a faint blush crept across Eloise’s cheeks. This was the first time since their wedding that Henry had ever addressed her in this way. “My lord, what’s come over you?” Eloise asked in surprise. Henry’s eyes moistened slightly. He blinked hard, forcing back the burning tears. With a faint smile at Eloise, Henry said, “Nicolas is the hope of our house. As long as he’s here, the duke’s estate won’t fall. But if anything happens to him, then all is doomed.” As Henry spoke, Eloise felt a sense of foreboding creep over her.