Chapter 118
Tension hung heavy in the Monson family.
The fire had been extinguished, but the memorial hall was left in ruins.
The ancestral tablets lay scattered haphazardly across the floor, some snapped clean in half, the names of the past now faded beyond recognition.
The ancestral portraits hanging on the walls were also reduced to ashes.
Upon hearing that the memorial hall had been burned down, Henry felt a surge of rage, his vision went black, and he collapsed straight backward in a dead faint.
The house physician rushed forward, fumbling with the needles in a frantic panic. After a few urgent, forceful jabs, Henry gradually came to his senses.
The atmosphere in the main hall was so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife.
Willow knelt trembling on the icy floor, tears carving clean tracks through the soot darkening her face.
Eloise sat nearby with a flustered expression, her lips parting slightly but not daring to utter a single sound.
The three Monson brothers stood aside, heads bowed, not daring to breathe. Though their hearts ached for Willow, none dared plead for her in the face of such an unprecedented calamity.
Henry struggled to keep himself upright, his face livid, his eyes blazing as if they could spit fire.
Henry glared daggers at Willow, who was kneeling on the floor, and bellowed, “Willow, how dare you burn down the memorial hall! ”
At the sound of that furious roar, Willow jolted violently.
Her lips trembled as she pleaded through her tears, “Please, Father, calm down. I know I was wrong p>
She was absolutely kicking herself now.
Had she known the consequences would be so dire, she would never have touched that little pouch.
She’d assumed the little pouch was from Eloise or Matthew.
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But seeing the shock and fear on Eloise and Matthew’s faces, Willow realized that she had been set up.
Willow instinctively stole a glance at Athena, only to meet her ice–cold stare.
Willow hung her head, sobbing wretchedly. She kept mechanically repeating her apologies, offering no other explanation.
She choked back tears and said, “Father, I know my offense is unpardonable. I dare not hope for your forgiveness. If it would make things right, I am willing to give my life to atone for my sins p>
With that, she remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise for what felt like an eternity.
Willow’s sobs finally softened Henry’s heart a bit.
Henry mused that Willow had always been such a dutiful child. Surely, the fire in the memorial hall must have been just an accident.
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Athena didn’t miss the subtle shift in Henry’s expression.
Sure enough, in the next instant, Athena saw Henry’s expression soften with compassion.
Noticing her husband’s shifting mood, Eloise seized the opportunity and said, “Your Grace, this fire was clearly just an accident. Willow has already suffered enough shock. Please, go easy on her p>
“Father, Willow has never been one to cause trouble. She nearly lost her life in that fire. Please, show mercy and go easy on her,” Nicolas pleaded.
Matthew also spoke up, “Father, this fire is really suspicious. Our estate has never had a fire before, yet the moment Willow went to the memorial hall, it started. I suspect someone deliberately set her up p>
Matthew’s words gave Henry pause.
The Osborne family was coming tomorrow with the proposal. If Willow was punished now, this marriage alliance might fall through.
Henry glanced at Athena, only to find her staring at Matthew with an icy expression, her gaze sharp and piercing.
She was glaring at Matthew as if he were her enemy.
Henry had suspected Athena, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to admit it.
Henry thought to himself, ‘Athena used to be such an innocent and lovely child. How could she have become so cold- blooded and ruthless? ‘
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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.