The Rise Of The Unwanted Girl (Athena) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

The prison echoed with incessant screams of agony.

After fifty lashes, Nona was left a bloody wreck.

Willow was so terrified she couldn’t even open her eyes, her entire body shaking like a leaf.

Luckily, Nona kept her mouth shut. Even after enduring fifty lashes, she refused to betray Willow.

“Your Honor, Miss Monson is innocent…” Nona sobbed, “It was all Blake’s doing, it had nothing to do with Miss Monson, I swear!”

Osbert stroked his beard in contemplation. It was clear this whole mess had started with Blake.

Osbert dared not offend either the Monson family or Xander.

Osbert thought to himself, ‘Detaining Willow in prison should be enough to account to Prince Xander.

‘Perhaps it’s best to stop here and pin this whole mess on Blake as the scapegoat.’

Osbert suddenly whirled and jabbed a finger at Blake, bellowing, “You peasant! How dare you frame Miss Monson?”

Blake, battered and bloodied from the beating, thought the worst was finally over and that he was in the clear.

Caught off guard by Osbert’s words, Blake’s eyes widened in panic. He stammered, “Your Honor, I would never dare to frame anyone! Willow was truly the mastermind behind this. If she hadn’t told me the Viscountess’s place was filled with treasures, I would never have dared to target her!”

Willow shook her head tearfully, putting on a heartbroken act. “Brother, how could you slander me just to save yourself? I know you’re hopelessly addicted to gambling. I’ve warned you time and again to quit, but you never listen!”

“Just like this time, I was terrified you’d cause trouble for Athena. I begged you over and over not to go, but you wouldn’t listen, and then you turned

around and stabbed me in the back!”

At this point, Willow broke down, tears streaming as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Nona, wincing in pain, spoke up for her mistress. “Your Honor, please judge fairly. Every word Miss Monson said is true. Every time Blake lost money gambling, he’d come demanding money from my lady. She’s a victim too!”

The airtight testimonies from Willow and her maid left Blake panicked. “No! That’s not how it was!” he blurted out, “Willow, I’m your brother, how could you use me like this?”

With tears welling in her red–rimmed eyes, Willow looked at Nicolas pitifully and sobbed, “Nicolas, please stop being so stubborn. Just confess, please…”

Nicolas let out a defeated sigh. He thought bitterly, ‘I finally understand now.

‘It was all Willow’s scheme. She set me up from the very beginning!

‘Damn my stupidity for falling into Willow’s trap!‘

“I’m your brother! How can you bear to see me thrown in jail?” Blake thrashed wildly, only to receive two more lashes from the jailers.

At this point, the truth of the case was crystal clear.

Osbert, who had already intended to curry favor with the Monson family, decided to halt the trial.

Just then, a jailer leaned in and whispered in Osbert’s ear, “Your Honor, Mr. Monson just sent you something.”

The official slipped a wad of banknotes into Osbert’s hand.

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23:43 Mon, 30 Jun

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Chapter 171

Osbert’s heart leaped with joy as he discreetly tucked the banknotes into his wide sleeve.

With that, Osbert hastily wrapped up the case.

He said, “I have determined that Blake acted alone in this case, and that Miss Monson is entirely uninvolved. Guards, have him sign the confession!”

The official forced Blake’s finger down and pressed it hard onto the confession.

Blake howled in despair, “I’ve been wrongfully accused! Your Honor!”

But no amount of his wailing could change the facts. Osbert turned to Willow with an ingratiating smile. “Miss Monson, I have determined you’re completely innocent in this case. You’re free to go.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Willow said with red–rimmed eyes, then supported the injured Nona as they left the prison.

Willow fixed Nicolas with a pointed look before leaving. “Don’t worry, Blake,” she said, her words laced with a subtle warning. “I’ll make sure to take good care of Mother.”

Though Blake was a scoundrel, he was exceptionally loyal to his mother.

This was his Achilles‘ heel.

Willow knew full well.

Suddenly, Nicolas let out a hollow, mocking laugh. All this time, he had truly believed Willow was weak and harmless.

Now he finally saw that she was the real viper.

Willow hurried forward, her face lighting up with excitement, only to freeze when she saw it was Nicolas standing there, not Michael.

The light faded from her eyes as she called out with evident disappointment, “Nicolas… It’s just you.”

Nicolas took two steps forward and said gently, “I am here to take you home, Willow.”

Nicolas looked at her disapprovingly. “At a time like this, you’re still pining after your precious Michael, you…”

Nicolas was tempted to scold Willow, but when he saw the tears welling in her eyes, he bit back his harsh words.

23:43 Mon, 30 Jun

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