Chapter 319

Athena cried, her eyes hot, clutching Margaret’s hand tightly and refusing to let go.

Gwen stepped forward to comfort her, “Lady Margaret lived with guilt for half her life. This was her own choice. She's finally found peace, Lady Athena, you should be happy for her.”

Athena collapsed by Margaret’s bedside, overcome with grief. She could only sob, utterly speechless.

Athena didn’t want Margaret to leave her.

Gwen’s heart ached as she watched Athena weep uncontrollably, a pained expression crossing her face.

With her voice trembling and choked with sobs, Gwen handed Athena a letter, “Lady Athena, Lady Margaret entrusted me with this for you. It contains the answers you seek. Once you’ve read it, you’ll understand why she chose to end her life.”

Athena continued to sob uncontrollably. Seeing her distress, Gwen pressed the letter into her hand before quietly leaving the room.

Athena slowly lifted her head and saw the familiar handwriting on the envelope: “To my dearest Athena. For Your Eyes Only.”

To her shock, the letter was dated six months ago.

The handwriting was unmistakably Margaret’s. She had prepared for death and meticulously arranged everything; it seemed Margaret had been planning this for a very long time.

Athena opened the letter and began to read:

"My dearest Athena, by the time you open this letter, I will already be gone. Please don’t blame me for this difficult choice. If I do not die, you are in grave danger. Read the following carefully and handle everything with utmost caution; only then can you truly protect yourself.

The duke’s estate is not what it once was. The former heir’s death always struck me as deeply suspicious. I’ve long feared there was foul play involved. It took me years to piece things together. Back then, your father was barely noticed in the family, yet after the heir’s passing, he experienced a meteoric rise. I still can’t fathom what truly happened.

It was only after your father met Eloise that he truly gained control of the entire duke’s estate. As for your three brothers, I can say with certainty that only Matthew and Joseph are Eloise’s biological sons. Long before Henry married your mother, he and Eloise had already begun their affair because he coveted General Perkins’s family assets. He only married your birth mother to secure the heir’s position.

As for Nicolas’s true identity, I could never uncover it. Your father surely knows the truth, but he’s hidden it masterfully, with Eloise covering for him. Eloise must be under his thumb. Otherwise, she would never have acknowledged a child of unknown origin as her eldest son. That’s also why she’s always favored Matthew, Joseph, and Willow all these years. I know too many secrets of this family. Even with your protection, it’s only a matter of time before they come for me.

My dearest Athena, I can’t let you be dragged into this because of me. My final wish is for you to marry Prince Xander. Only he has the power to protect you.

These are treacherous waters that are far beyond your depth. Please understand, I’m not telling you this to make you do anything. Deep down, I just hope you can stay far away from all this turmoil, even leave Pidence City behind, and claim the life you truly deserve.

My dearest Athena, listen to me. Don’t go digging for the truth. You must remember this!"

__

After finishing the letter, Athena felt an icy dread creep through her veins, chilling her to the bone.

Athena wondered, “Who exactly is Nicolas? Why does his very existence fill Grandmother with such dread? To protect me, Grandmother has no choice but to end her own life, to make the enemy let down their guard?”

Athena’s hands trembled uncontrollably, her eyes bloodshot and swollen from crying.

She wanted to cry, but her tears had run dry. She wanted to scream, but grief had stolen her voice.

Margaret wanted her to stay away from all this, but Athena felt that she could not escape since she was already trapped in this situation.

Athena pressed the letter to her chest, a suffocating pain radiating from her heart. She thought, “They are the masterminds behind all of this. They murdered my mother, my beloved grandfather, and my grandmother. Grandma told me not to dig deeper, but how could I ever walk away from all this with a clear conscience! With so many lives lost, how could I possibly just walk away, just because she told me to? I will not only investigate, but I will also expose every rotten secret of the duke’s estate to the world.”

She carefully tucked away the letter, then bowed deeply before Margaret’s body. “Grandma, I can’t do as you asked. Your death and my mother’s will not be in vain. I swear I’ll make the ones behind all this pay in blood.”

Outside the door, Gwen paced anxiously, her wrinkled hands twisting in her apron.

Gwen’s expression was graver than ever before.

Before long, the door creaked open from within, and Athena stepped out of the chamber.

Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, her face etched with sorrow.

Her once-empty eyes now blazed with fury, as if they could reduce everything to ashes.

“Lady Athena,” Gwen called out softly.

Athena slowly turned her gaze before fixing it on Gwen. “I need to see Eloise. After all Grandmother has revealed, she must know more of the truth. One way or another, I’ll make her talk and confess everything.”

Gwen hesitated at the murderous glint in Athena’s eyes. “But Lady Athena, Lady Eloise would never tell you…”

“She will,” Athena said with a chilling smile playing on her lips, “Even if she refuses, find a way to make her talk.”

Gwen added softly, “Lady Athena, what are you planning to do?”

Athena lifted her gaze to the distant horizon and exhaled slowly. “I’m going to get her out of there.”

Gwen realized Athena’s intention. To uncover the truth, Athena would need to secure the release of Eloise from the Federal Bureau’s prison.

Athena paused before the Xander Manor. A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she stepped inside.

Nelson Bates caught sight of Athena and hurried inside to announce, “Your Highness, Miss Monson has arrived.”

Xander sprang to his feet and hurried out to meet her.

Athena appeared gaunt and drained, her obsidian eyes brimming with unshed tears. It was obvious that she had just endured life-shattering revelations.

Xander rushed forward, his voice tight with concern. “Athena, what’s wrong!”

Fighting back her tears Athena said, “Prince Xander, I need you to do me a favor.”

Xander didn’t hesitate for a second. “Of course, tell me what you need.”

“I need to get Eloise out of the Federal Bureau’s prison,” Athena said slowly, her voice heavy with resolve.

Nelson looked utterly shocked. “But that’s the Federal Bureau’s prison. The Emperor has already passed sentence. How could we possibly rescue her?”

If the Emperor were to learn of this, even Xander would be punished.

Hearing this, Athena gave a bitter smile. “Don’t worry, Nelson. All I ask is that Prince Xander turns a blind eye to whatever the duke’s estate is going to do.”

“What happened to you?” Xander’s eyes brimmed with concern.

Xander thought, “Athena has always been so strong. She wouldn’t be like this unless she’d faced something utterly unbearable.”

Athena sniffled, a bitter ache twisting in her heart. So many things screamed to be said, yet she didn’t even know where to begin.

Athena shook her head frantically, her eyes brimming with despair. “My Grandmother has passed.”

“What?” Both Nelson and Xander stared in shock. Xander, utterly bewildered, stammered. “But she had always been in good health. How could this happen so suddenly!”

Athena could only shake her head, grief choking back any words.

Xander couldn’t bear to press further. He turned to Nelson and ordered, “Take some men and handle the funeral arrangements. Dispatch a squad of guards with strict orders: No one from the duke’s estate can approach.”