Chapter 48

Joseph never imagined he’d walk right into trouble like this.

All eyes in the room were fixed on Joseph. He stood frozen in place, dumbfounded, gaping like a complete fool.

Eloise gasped in shock when she saw the scattered items on the floor, hurriedly covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Several gold hairpins and pieces of jewelry were on the ground; it was unmistakably Athena’s precious set. Joseph’s guilty expression confirmed Close’s suspicion. He must have stolen them while Athena was away. Little did he expect to be caught red-handed.

Henry was also visibly shocked, but his astonishment quickly gave way to a surge of fury. Pointing a trembling finger at Joseph, his face white with anger, Henry roared, “You…you rebellious wretch!”

“Our family has never produced a petty thief!”

Margaret’s eyes brimmed with disappointment as she let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair. “Our Joseph has become this way because of your excessive indulgence.”

“Nicolas and Matthew both hold official positions at court. Should this scandal become known, how will they maintain their standing? And as for his marriage prospects, what noble house would ever consent to wed him?”

Henry’s face turned ashen, then flushed with shame at Margaret’s words. He had known Eloise indulged Joseph, but never imagined she would let him degenerate into this state.

“Mother, you are right,” Henry said with a respectful bow to Margaret. Then, turning to Joseph, he commanded sharply, “Kneel down at once!”

Margaret slowly rose to her feet, a look of exhaustion on her face. “Your son is your responsibility; I’m too tired for this.” She extended her hand to Athena. “Athena, escort me back.”

Everyone in the room looked shocked. Margaret’s favoritism was just too obvious. We all got punished, so how come Athena gets off scot-free? they thought to themselves.

Athena helped Margaret to her feet and escorted her out. The moment they left, Henry barked at the servants, “Bring the rod at once!”

“Father,” Eloise pleaded urgently, “Joseph was only standing up for Willow. He’s not as bad as you think. Must we really bring out the rod?”

Willow nodded urgently. “Father, please let Joseph off just this once. If someone must be punished, let it be me. It’s all my fault.” Her swollen, red eyes and scratched lace made her look utterly pitiful.

Seeing this, Henry felt his heart ache. He had raised Willow for over a decade, and she had always been a good child. But today, he couldn’t let himself be soft-hearted. Margaret was right; without strict discipline, Joseph would bring disaster in the future. Steeling himself, Henry barked, “Bring the rod! No more pleading. Anyone who does will suffer the same fate.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Willow clenched her lower lip between her teeth, trying to hold herself together. Dared not utter another word, she stood trembling as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Eloise glared at Henry, her voice trembling with anger. “How could you be so heartless? You know perfectly well Joseph isn’t a bad child, yet you’d punish him just because of someone else’s words? You’re his father, for goodness’ sake!”

Under normal circumstances, Eloise wouldn’t dare voice any complaint against Margaret. But today, after Margaret’s outburst where she punished everyone in the family, including Eloise, years of pent-up frustration finally surfaced. She had joined the Monson family for over twenty years. Her children were already grown, yet she was still under Margaret’s thumb. The unfairness of it all gnawed at her.

Henry glared furiously at her. “Silence! Joseph turned out this way entirely because of your excessive indulgence. How dare you harbor resentment? Even if Mother spares you, I can no longer tolerate you.”

With that, he raised his voice and commanded, “Guards! Escort Eloise back to her chambers at once. She is forbidden to leave without my express permission.”

Nicolas pleaded anxiously, “Father, please, don’t punish Mother anymore.”

Matthew also spoke up anxiously, “Yes, Father. Even if Mother hasn’t made any major contributions, she’s worked so hard for this family. If you punish her like this, how can she hold her head up in the Monson family? People will say the lady of the house has no real authority. It’s just so unfair to her.”

“Father, please reconsider,” Willow whispered timidly.

“Mother, I’m willing to accept the family punishment. Please, don’t plead for me anymore,” Joseph pleaded, his face twisted in despair. Damn it, I really shouldn’t have taken out Athena’s jewelry. I should’ve just sold it off in secret.

Henry’s head throbbed from their incessant bickering. “Enough!” he barked. “Take them all away!”

The butler reluctantly stepped forward and said respectfully to Eloise, “Please come with me, madam.”

Realizing she could no longer sway Henry’s decision, Eloise shot him an icy glare and coldly spat, “My lord, you are truly heartless.”

With that, Willow gently guided her mother out, leaving Joseph kneeling on the floor in terrified silence, fidgeting nervously, with no one left to turn to for help. Nicolas and Matthew were escorted out.

A servant presented the disciplinary whip. Henry took it as Joseph pleaded desperately, “Father, I was wrong, please show mercy!”

Henry closed his eyes briefly, then raised the whip high and brought it down.

A shrill scream echoed through the hall.

Eloise hadn’t gone far when Joseph’s piercing scream reached her ears; it shattered her heart. Every lash may fall on my son, but the pain cuts even deeper in me, she thought, clutching her chest as if struck herself. Her own heart twisted in agony.

“Joseph, my child…” Eloise sobbed uncontrollably. Willow, her face deathly pale with fright, whispered urgently, “Mother, it’s all my fault. I’ll go plead with Father right now and ask him to stop punishing Joseph. If someone must be punished, let it be me instead.”

Willow turned to rush back, but Eloise yanked her to a stop. Tears welling in her eyes, Eloise looked at Willow and said, “It’s no use, Willow. Once your father has made up his mind, nothing will change it. And you’re in no state to endure more.” Eloise gripped Willow’s wrist tightly and hurried away. She was afraid that if she heard another word, she’d break.

Athena escorted Margaret back to Starling House. Along the way, Margaret asked kindly, “What would you have done if I hadn’t come today?”

The fresh breeze outside helped cool Athena’s anger, easing the resentment in her heart. She gazed at the bright sunlight, shook her head in confusion, and admitted, “I honestly don’t know, Grandmother.” I was so furious just now, all I wanted was to crush Matthew under my heel and vent my anger. I didn’t even stop to think about the consequences.

Margaret looked at her disapprovingly and said, “Just a few pieces of gossip and you already can’t take it? There will be far greater storms ahead. Are you planning to kill everyone who offends you?”

“There are so many people in this world; do you really think you can get rid of them all?”

“I’ve always told you not to be afraid of trouble, but you must also know how to protect yourself. There’s no sense in winning the battle but losing the war.”

“If venting your anger comes at such a cost, I’d rather you not.”

Athena’s eyes flickered as she reflected. Now that she had calmed down, she realized she had indeed been too impulsive. She understood that Margaret’s words weren’t meant to scold her, but to guide her.

“Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. I have learned my lesson.” Overflowing with gratitude, Athena said sincerely to Margaret, raising her eyes, she looked at Margaret, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “So, Grandmother, how would you suggest we resolve today’s predicament?”