Chapter 71
Everyone turned in astonishment as three solemn-faced elders strode in from outside.
At the sight of these elders, everyone in the room froze as if petrified, their faces instantly draining of color.
Willow, who had been quietly sobbing, was so startled that she fell silent, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at the newcomers.
Eloise reacted instantly, scrambling to her feet in a fluster before standing respectfully aside, barely daring to breathe.
Seeing this, the three Monson brothers immediately rose to their feet, cupped their fists in a traditional salute, and bowed deeply to the elders, their faces etched with profound reverence.
Henry had already strode forward and, with a respectful bow, greeted them. “Granduncles.”
They were the three most revered seniors of the Monson family, who usually kept to themselves and rarely interfered in household affairs. Whenever they appeared, it invariably signaled grave trouble.
The moment all three appeared together, Henry’s heart lurched, his brows instinctively knitting into a deep frown.
Their sudden arrival could only mean they’d heard about the destruction of the memorial hall.
These three seniors had always been strict guardians of family rules and heritage. Now that such a grave incident had occurred at the memorial hall, there was no way they would let it slide.
Henry couldn’t help but furrow his brows, feeling anxious on Willow’s behalf.
The three seniors strode past Henry with their eyes fixed straight ahead, then took their seats in solemn order.
Les Monson was the first to break the silence, his deep and commanding voice brooking no argument. “The memorial hall is where our family honors our ancestors and preserves our bloodline. Now that it lies in ruins, how could this possibly go unpunished?”
Les’s piercing gaze swept across the faces of everyone present before finally resting on Willow, his eyes filled with stern scrutiny and silent accusation.
Clearly, they already knew the culprit was Willow.
Toby Monson gave a cold snort. “The memorial hall was burned down, our ancestors’ tablets and portraits all reduced to ashes, and yet you merely confined her? Henry, have you lost your mind?”
He pointed at Willow, his eyes full of loathing, and roared, “A mere adopted daughter, how could she possibly deserve a place in our family tree? Your real daughter is right there!”
After saying that, Toby pointed accusingly at Athena.
Athena lowered her eyes slightly, her expression indifferent as she looked at the small patch of floor before her feet.
Elmer Monson slammed his cane hard against the floor, his voice thunderous with authority as he glared at Willow. “Willow, after causing such a disaster, how dare you still stand? Get on your knees, now!”
Startled, Willow trembled all over, fear overwhelming her. She dropped to her knees again, tears streaming down her face.
With her voice trembling and thick with tears, Willow pleaded, “Granduncles, I… I swear I didn’t mean to! I was just reflecting when the fire suddenly broke out. I truly didn’t do it on purpose!”
Still pleading, Willow knocked her forehead against the floor again and again, each impact landing with a dull thud.
Eloise’s heart ached, and just as she was about to speak up, Toby rebuked her sharply. “Hold your tongue! This is no place for your words.”
Willow’s sobbing abruptly ceased.
With red-rimmed eyes, Eloise bit her lip and silently stepped back behind Henry, gently tugging at his sleeve.
Henry’s face cycled between pale and red; the three granduncles’ scolding of Eloise was nothing less than a direct slap in his face.
Yet he dared not defend Eloise. Forced to yield, he lowered his head respectfully and inquired, “Then, what do you all propose we should do?”
Les declared coldly, “According to our family laws, anyone who damages the memorial hall shall be banished, to set an example for all!”
At these words, Eloise gasped in shock, while Willow crumpled to the floor, her face as white as a sheet.
The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife; no one dared to even breathe.
Finally, Nicolas clenched his jaw and stepped forward. “Granduncles, the destruction of the memorial hall was purely accidental and not Willow’s fault. However, since she was present at the time, she does share some responsibility. I humbly beg you to show mercy in your judgment and deal with her leniently.”
Les glared at Nicolas, his voice icy. “Preposterous! How could mere accidents reduce the memorial hall to ashes? You say she’s innocent; where’s your proof?”
Les’s questioning left Nicolas utterly speechless.
Nicolas slowly shook his head. “None.”
Just then, Athena, who had remained silent throughout, suddenly stepped forward and dropped to her knees.
Athena bowed her head to the ground, her face the picture of remorse. “Granduncles, I am the one who gave Willow the oil lamp without Father’s permission. She’s been afraid of the dark since childhood. The fault is entirely mine.”
Athena’s words made Willow’s face instantly pale with panic. She looked at Athena helplessly, stammering, “Athena, you… you…”
Athena’s words were undoubtedly a slap in the face to Nicolas.
Nicolas’s composure shattered, panic flashing across his face.
Nicolas bellowed, “Athena, how could you harm Willow?”
“Enough!” Les cut Nicolas off sharply, his voice heavy with authority. “The evidence is right before us. Do you still dare to argue?”
“Even if Athena gave her the oil lamp, is there any doubt that Willow was the one who burned down the memorial hall?” Toby’s chest heaved violently with rage.
Henry shut his eyes briefly, knowing there was no way for Willow to escape punishment now.
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the three honored granduncles. “Willow cannot be removed from the family. The Osborne and Monson families have already arranged a marriage alliance. I beg you to show mercy.”
At these words, the three granduncles’ faces grew grave, the weight of the situation settling heavily over them.
The Monson family was no longer what it once was, and they were well aware of how important this marriage alliance was.
After a moment of deliberation, the three seniors pronounced their judgment. “Though she shall not be expelled from the family, she shall not escape punishment: thirty strokes of the cane, and no intercession shall be permitted.”
The three seniors wielded ultimate authority in the family. Their word was law.
Willow’s face instantly lost all color. Thirty strokes of the cane… That will kill me! she thought in terror.
Willow shot a desperate, pleading look at Eloise, but all Eloise could do was watch her helplessly, tears streaming down her face.
Even as the Duchess of Suffield, Eloise had no say before the three seniors.
Henry closed his eyes in resignation for a long moment. Then he slowly nodded. “As the three granduncles decree.”
Henry thought grimly, If the three granduncles aren’t satisfied today, Willow will surely be expelled from the family registry.
Then, Henry waved his hand toward the attendants and commanded, “Bring forth the cane.”
Before long, two attendants entered, each carrying a heavy punishment cane.
Willow was forced onto the punishment bench, with two servants pinning her down, one at the front, the other at the back.
Athena watched Willow with an indifferent expression, a cruel smile slowly curling at the corners of her lips.
The cane came down with a sickening crack, and Willow’s bloodcurdling scream tore through the great hall.
Her bloodcurdling screams sent chills down everyone’s spines.
By the time all thirty strokes had landed, Willow’s back was a mangled mess of torn flesh and blood.
Willow had already lost consciousness halfway through the punishment, but with the three granduncles silent, no one would dare to intervene.
Only after the beating was finished was Willow’s limp, unconscious body carried back to her quarters.
Eloise had fainted several times from grief and rage. Pointing at Athena with trembling fury, she shouted, “How can you be so cruel? I raised Willow with all my heart and soul; how could you be so hostile toward her?”
Staring coldly at Eloise’s grief-stricken face, Athena enunciated each word with deliberate precision. “Is it really me who can’t tolerate her, or is it her who can’t tolerate me? She’s taken everything from me and still isn’t satisfied. Why did she have to target Grandmother too? Only fools like you would believe such blatant lies.”
After speaking, Athena let out a sharp breath, her lips curling into a chilling smile. “If she dares cross me again, I’ll make sure she doesn’t live to regret it.”