Chapter 500
Ruth continued when she saw that Athena did not speak. "Gracie is like my daughter, and I feel sorry when she suffers. But I am a woman of little importance and cannot control people, so I have come to you, Your Highness."
Geoffrey nodded repeatedly, looking at Athena with a pleading expression. "Your Highness, please make a trip to Fermin Manor to stand up for my girl, or she will be bullied badly."
Alexandra also looked at Athena, hoping that she would go, if only to suppress the Queen Mother. Although the new King had ascended the throne, as long as the Queen Mother did not die, she would remain in her status. No one dared to mistreat her. And Jude was the Queen Mother’s nephew.
Even if this matter were exposed, with the Queen Mother backing him, the Miller family would have nothing to fear.
No wonder Geoffrey sought out Athena. In a rare moment, Alexandra also wanted Athena to help Gracie. As members of the Xander Manor, they are connected, and bullying Geoffrey is the same as embarrassing them.
Athena thought for a moment and agreed, “Okay, I’ll go.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” the couple said in unison.
Alexandra nodded repeatedly, "You just got back, and I'm already making you work. I feel bad about it."
“Since we are family, why stand on ceremony?” said Athena.
At that moment, Athena wrote a post and sent it to Fermin Manor. They replied after two hours, saying that she was welcome.
Athena changed into a gorgeous dress and went with Trina and Gracie. The carriage stopped in front of Fermin Manor. When the doorman saw that it was the carriage of the Xander Manor, he did not dare to neglect it and hurried to report.
Athena sat upright in the carriage, and Trina whispered beside her. "Princess Consort, I heard that Mrs. Patton is the most difficult to deal with, so you must be careful."
Athena nodded slightly, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and she hid her thoughts, leaving only a calm demeanor. Passing through the three courtyards, the exotic flowers and plants in the garden could not hide the alienation in the air.
Jenny, with a smile on her face, greeted her and said, “Your Highness, your presence is really making my humble home shine.”
Athena had a faint smile on her face. "Mrs. Patton, you don't need to be so polite." She raised her hand slightly, allowing Jenny to stand up straight. Her eyes swept around the room, and she frowned, “I wonder how Gracie is doing with her illness. Is it serious?”
Upon hearing her say this, Jenny’s heart sank. Athena was indeed here to support Gracie. Thinking about her troubles, the smile on Jenny’s face faded a little. Jenny replied perfunctorily, “Much better.”
“Since that’s the case, I’ll go see her.” Athena smiled at Jenny, "Please lead the way, Mrs. Patton."
Jenny looked embarrassed. "She just took her medicine and fell asleep. Your Highness, why don't you wait a few days until she feels better before you go see her? I just got some excellent coffee. Why don't you try some?"
Athena looked at her with a cold face. "I appreciate your kindness, but I'm really worried about Gracie and don't feel like drinking coffee." Athena stood up and looked at Jenny. Jenny’s scalp tingled from her gaze, and she reluctantly got up and led the way.
The group walked toward the backyard and passed through three doors before Jenny stopped in front of a courtyard. "Your Highness, please come in," said Jenny.
The old women guarding the door all looked panicked when they saw Athena. Jenny winked at the other party, "Hurry up and inform Gracie."
"Ah, yes." The maid ran into the house in a panic. Athena hurriedly followed behind her. Jenny wanted to stop her, but felt a numbness in her shoulder. Turning around, Jenny saw a heroic–looking woman smiling at her, "Mrs. Patton, be careful of your steps. Don’t sprain your ankle."
Jenny only felt that this woman was full of murderous intent, and when she wanted to take another step, she didn’t expect that her legs wouldn’t move. Jenny looked at Jessa in horror, wanting to call for someone, but no sound came from her throat.
Athena had already led Trina into the house. There was a strong smell of medicine in the house. The girl on the bed was curled up in a brocade quilt, her originally round cheeks sunken into two deep pits. Her lips were chapped and peeling, with only her eyes wide open. She stared blankly at the gilded top of the tent, as if her soul had already left her body.
After the maid came in, she didn't report it, but hid things in the house. Trina was quick and snatched the thing away. The ties came loose, and a dark red skirt rolled out. By the light coming through the window lattices, large patches of blackened blood stains could be clearly seen on the skirt, and the fabric was also covered with mud, sand, and grass clippings.
The maid was so scared that she fell on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly.
“Bloodstained clothes?” Trina gasped and picked up the garment to examine it. "This is Mrs. Miller's clothing."
Athena picked up the bloodstained clothes and carefully examined them. There were tears at the hem of the skirt, and bloodstains spread from the lower back, covering a large area. Just looking at it was shocking.
Athena turned to look at the trembling maid, her voice as cold as ice. "How did the blood on these clothes get there?"
“Your Highness, spare me.” The maid trembled with fear and only bowed.
Athena gave Trina a look, and Trina stepped forward and slapped the maid hard across the face. "Speak. If you don't tell the truth, I'll cut out your tongue."
The maid yelped and covered her face, trembling as she said. "Your Highness, these bloodstains are from Mrs. Miller's miscarriage."
Athena looked at Gracie in shock. No wonder Gracie looked so unwell; no wonder Jenny was preventing people from seeing her. It turned out Gracie had a miscarriage. Athena quickened her pace, stepped forward, and stood in front of the bed to look at Gracie. Although there were no injuries on her face, the exposed part of her arm was covered in purple bruises.
Athena gently lifted her sleeve, and after just one glance, her heart sank. Her arm was covered in wounds from being beaten with sticks, and Gracie frowned in pain at her slight movement. “Gracie, it’s me, your aunt.”
With Athena’s call, Gracie’s eyes gradually focused. Gracie stared at the person in front of her, and after seeing Athena clearly, she began to sob, “Aunt Athena, save me. He wants to abort my baby. I desperately protected my stomach. I should have protected the baby.”
Athena’s eyes couldn’t help but moisten. “Jude is indeed a heartless scoundrel, actually beating his child to death for a mistress.”
“Guards.” Athena gave an order, and a guard walked in, respectfully cupping his fist toward her. “Your Highness?”
With a grim face, Athena commanded. “Tie up that bastard Jude.”
Upon hearing Athena’s anger, Jenny stumbled into the room. "Your Highness, please calm down. It’s just a lovers‘ quarrel. Why take it so seriously? Gracie, you have always been well–read and reasonable, quickly advise Her Highness. Surely, you don’t want your husband to be disgraced?"