Chapter 98

Facing the questioning gazes of the crowd, Athena remained unfazed, calmly returning their looks.

"If I really wanted to fight over the inheritance, I wouldn’t have waited until now." After she finished speaking, she looked provocatively at Nicolas and Willow. The latter was so startled by her gaze that she lowered her head, though her eyes darted around restlessly.

Athena said coldly, "You keep throwing filth at me and falsely accusing me, then I’ll go ahead and live up to the accusation. When that time comes, forget about just ten shops. Even if it’s the entire duke’s estate, I won’t give up a single brick."

Eloise snapped, "Athena!"

But before she could continue, Margaret’s voice came from inside the room. "The ten shops and two manors were given to Athena by me. If you have anything to say, you can come and question me."

The curtain was lifted, and Margaret walked out with a cane. Her authoritative gaze swept over everyone in the courtyard, and all of them lowered their heads.

Nicolas stepped forward and bowed respectfully, "Grandmother, please don’t be angry. I wouldn’t dare."

Margaret said, "These shops were part of my property. What’s wrong with giving them to my granddaughter?"

Gwen helped Margaret sit down. Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd and lingered briefly on Willow. Willow shrank her neck and didn’t dare breathe a word. Eloise shielded her, but also didn’t speak.

Only Henry stepped forward and said to Margaret, "Mother, please calm down. It’s just the children joking around, not to be taken seriously."

He then gave Nicolas a look. Nicolas said, "It was my careless mouth, Grandmother, please forgive me."

Twenty-eight shops and six manors were part of Margaret’s dowry when she married into the duke’s estate. In the early years, she handed these properties over to the family to manage, intending to help out a little. The money they earned was mostly used for household expenses. However, the deeds had always been held tightly in Margaret’s hands. If she were angered and gave all the shops to Athena, that would be a major loss.

So both the Duke and Nicolas backed down.

Margaret’s expression was cold as she gave the two of them a warning look. Then she turned her gaze to Athena.

She saw Athena’s little finger was no longer bleeding, but hadn’t yet been bandaged. Her eyes turned wet with heartache. Gwen, knowing how much Margaret cared for Athena, quickly called out, "Where’s the doctor? He’s still not here?"

Before long, the doctor jogged in carrying a medicine chest. He stepped forward to greet Margaret, but was stopped. "Go check on Athena quickly."

"Yes," the doctor answered respectfully and moved to bandage Athena. After seeing the wound, a flicker of pity flashed in his eyes. As he prepared the tools, he said to her, "Lady Athena, please bear with it. I’ll need to cut away the broken nail before..."

Athena nodded lightly. "Go ahead. I’m fine."

The doctor glanced at her and, seeing her calm face, couldn’t help but feel shocked. Most pampered young ladies would cry for half a day over the tiniest scratch. But Athena hadn’t let out a single cry. Such endurance was rare. With silent admiration, he picked up the scissors and clipped the broken nail.

During the process, Eloise and Willow were too frightened to look. Both turned pale and furrowed their brows, as if it were their own nails being cut.

Margaret cast a cold glance at Eloise. As a mother, seeing your child hurt like this, and you can’t even say a word of comfort. All you care about is your foster daughter.

Margaret thought bitterly, "No one even knows what kind of charm that girl has to make you act like this."

"All of you, leave," Margaret spoke irritably. Not a single one of them was useful.

Eloise and Willow, relieved, let out a long breath, curtsied, and retreated. Henry and Nicolas followed suit and left as well.

Once they were gone, the courtyard felt empty. Margaret looked around at the desolate courtyard and felt her heart grow equally empty.

Suddenly, a small hand rested gently on the back of her hand. The soft touch sent a jolt through her heart. Looking up, she saw Athena smiling at her. "Grandmother, thank you."

Margaret felt a little dazed, as if she was seeing the sunny, cheerful Athena from childhood. But a closer look reminded her that the little girl had grown up.

"Thank me for what?" Margaret asked with a smile.

"Thank you for standing up for me," Athena said, her eyes growing a bit misty. She sniffed and forced back the sting. She wasn’t someone who cried easily, but whenever she saw her grandmother, the feeling of grievance would rise.

Margaret gently patted the back of her hand and sighed. "As long as you’re well, I can die with no regrets." She waved her hand, and Gwen placed a box in front of Athena.

"These are the deeds to the ten shops and two manors. I’m handing them over to you. From this day on, they’re yours," Margaret said kindly.

Athena bit her lip and replied vaguely, "I’ll hold onto them for now, on your behalf. These are your possessions. In the future, they’ll be used to care for you!"

Margaret laughed at that. "Silly girl, how much can an old woman like me need? These are the dowry I’ve been saving for you. When you get married, you’ll take them with you."

Athena was about to say more, but she noticed Margaret looked tired. This matter had taken a toll on her. She was exhausted. So Athena swallowed her words.

"Alright. I’ll accept them," she said cheerfully.

Only then did Margaret smile. "I’m going to rest for a while. Athena, tend to your injury too."

"Yes, Grandmother," Athena replied obediently.

Gwen helped Margaret back into the house. Athena remained quiet for a while, then also left.

In the following days, Willow kept her head down. Maybe it was because her wedding day was near. She no longer dared to show up around Athena and stayed quietly in her courtyard, preparing for marriage.

In order to prepare Willow’s dowry, Eloise sold off several of the family’s assets. Piece by piece, she managed to gather everything. Bright red wedding chests now filled the storeroom.

Trina went to take a look. All of them were packed with valuables. Just the silver ingots alone filled seven or eight chests, not even counting the other gold jewelry and pearls. It was clear that the Monson family had gone all out.

Trina looked at Athena in confusion and asked, "Didn’t they say the manor’s storerooms were empty? Where did all this money come from?"

Athena was just as confused. The estate had limited assets to sell. Gathering so many valuables in such a short time would’ve been nearly impossible.

Just then, the steward arrived with the bookkeeper. "Lady Athena, the bookkeeper you requested is here."

Now that she had taken over the shops, naturally, she had to check the accounts. Athena nodded, and Trina called out, "Come in."

The bookkeeper walked in and respectfully greeted Athena, "Lady Athena, I am the manager of the shops. My name is Ruben Vegs. If you need anything, feel free to ask."

Ruben was lean and wiry, with triangular eyes and hollow cheeks. When he looked at people, there was a glint in his gaze. He looked extremely sly.

Athena glanced at him coldly, a faint smile on her face. Suddenly, she spoke, "Go organize the accounts, and bring them all to me."