Chapter 130
Chapter 130
The atmosphere in the Monson residence’s main hall was so tense one could cut it with a knife.
As Athena stepped into the hall, the first thing she saw was Matthew kneeling rigidly in the center, his eyes filled with terror.
Henry stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his face livid with rage. Veins bulged violently on his forehead as he glared, his eyes so wide and fierce they seemed ready to spew flames at any moment.
Eloise sat rigidly to the side, her brows tightly knitted as she fixed Matthew with an icy glare. Her chest heaved violently, it was clear she was barely containing the fury boiling within her.
Kneeling beside Matthew was Aliza, disheveled and weeping. Strands of tangled hair clung to her tear –streaked cheeks, which were grotesquely swollen, making her look utterly pitiful and disgraced.
Her collar hung slightly open, revealing a stretch of neck marred with telltale love marks.
Though still unmarried, Athena instantly understood what those marks implied.
Athena grasped the situation but walked in without betraying any emotion.
The moment she stepped into the hall, a teacup came flying straight at her face.
Trina, with lightning reflexes, pulled Athena aside just in time.
The teacup smashed to pieces at her feet, scalding tea splashing across the floor.
Eloise gasped in shock, her eyes brimming with pity. She opened her mouth to speak, but at the sight of Henry’s thunderous expression, she bit back her words.
She cast an apologetic, helpless glance at Athena, her expression making it clear there was nothing she could do p>
Pointing at Aliza, Henry roared, “A lowly servant girl daring to climb the social ladder! As her employer, you’ve indulged her so much that she no longer knows her place. Do you admit your fault p>
On her way over, Athena had gotten the full story.
Today was supposed to be Willow’s happy engagement day, and Matthew, in high spirits, had one too many.
After drinking too much, in his drunken recklessness, Matthe got caught in a compromising position with Aliza behind the estate’s rockery.
The estate was bustling with activity. Several noble ladies were strolling through the gardens.
Hearing the commotion, the household immediately assumed some lecherous intruder had sneaked into the Monson family and quickly summoned the guards to corner the pair inside.
When they dragged the culprits out, to everyone’s shock, it was Matthew caught in a compromising position with Aliza.
They said her underwear was still dangling from Matthew’s waist. The scene was so scandalous, people couldn’t even bear to look.
For a moment, everyone froze in shock, rooted to the spot.
Henry nearly fainted from rage upon hearing the news, while Eloise broke down in hysterical sobs.
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Chapter 130
Nicolas managed to remain calm. Forcing himself through the humiliation and anger, he brazenly escorted the guests to the door. Before they left, he presented each family with generous gifts, essentially hush money.
On what should have been Willow’s joyful engagement day, a scandal erupted instead. The humiliation was so severe that Willow spat blood and fainted on the spot. She still hadn’t regained consciousness.
Now, Henry turned his wrath on Athena, determined to make her the scapegoat for the entire affair.
Trina looked at Athena with concern, but saw her remain composed. Athena replied in a measured tone, “Your Grace, I fear you have the wrong person. Aliza was given to me by Lady Eloise. How could she be considered my employee p>
Hearing this, both Henry and Eloise froze, Henry in thunderstruck rage, Eloise in dawning horror.
Eloise was so shocked she forgot her tears. Instinctively, she glanced at Henry, only to find him glaring at her, his face dark with fury. He demanded coldly, “Aliza was working for you p>
“I… I…” Eloise gasped, momentarily stunned into silence. But as she thought about it, she realized it was indeed true.
When Athena first returned, Eloise assigned her two maids, Siena and Aliza, to serve her, but kept their contacts.
Technically speaking, both Siena and Aliza still worked for Eloise.
“Speak!” Henry bellowed, his glare so ferocious it seemed he might devour Lady Eloise.
Eloise flinched in terror and stammered, “Yes, Your Grace p>
Without warning, Henry delivered a resounding slap across Eloise’s face.
The slap landed with brutal force, instantly swelling Lady Eloise’s cheek into an angry red welt for all to see.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.