Chapter 509
Chapter 509
Chapter 509
Trina swiftly brought the medical kit and handed it to Athena.
Though Trina had learned some medical skills from Athena, the injuries on Belle were simply too severe.
It looked like the woman had been put through a meat grinder.
Anyone who saw her would be filled with fear, yet Athena remained calm, her hands moving with practiced efficiency.
It took two full hours just to clean and bandage those wounds p>
Sweat beaded on Athena’s forehead, and Trina quickly handed her a handkerchief to wipe it away.
Meanwhile, Bette lay on the bed, her face full of gratitude. “Thank you p>
countess, for saving my life,” she said weakly.
Athena couldn’t stand to turn her back on such a pitiful woman.
But with the Federal Bureau Chief involved, she needed clarity. “Can you tell me how you got these injuries p>
Belle seemed to be holding back something unspeakable. Her eyes, full of sorrowful reproach, lingered on Athena, but she said nothing.
Belle shook her head slightly, then murmured, “It was… just my own carelessness p>
“Who do you think you’re fooling? Anyone can see these are abuse marks!” Trina blurted out, frustrated by Belle’s unwillingness to stand up for herself.
The truth was already out, they all saw it now.
Trina figured that if Belle had any sense, she’d just come clean about what really happened.
Even as a concubine, no matter how high her perpetrator’s status, they couldn’t escape public condemnation.
Yet Belle wouldn’t even dare name her tormentor. To Trina, that made her seem utterly spineless.
Athena gently stopped Trina. “If she doesn’t want to talk, there must be something she finds hard to say. Why push her p>
Athena handed Belle a glass of water and said, “Your injuries are severe, but thankfully recovery. I can’t have you stay here. If there’s nothing else, you should go back now p>
no
bones were broken. With proper rest, you’ll make a full
With terror in her eyes, Belle suddenly dropped to her knees before Athena. “Viscountess,” she pleaded desperately, “please, have mercy, can you take
me in p>
e
“I can’t take you in. You belong to the Beckham family. If I shelter you, I won’t be able to answer to them,” Athena replied.
She felt sorry for Belle, but Athena knew this was a mess she couldn’t get her hands dirty with.
Belle collapsed into sobs, still on her knees. “If I go back, it’s a death sentence! Madam Beckham is mercilessly cruel, she abuses me whenever Lord Beckham isn’t home. I barely escaped with my life this time p>
Athena’s brow furrowed at these words.
If a concubine were caught trying to flee, it meant execution.
Her indenture contract rested in the matriarch’s hands. she held the power of life and death.
Athena’s expression grew tense. “You mustn’t stay here. Go back at
or it’ll be too late p>
“No! I won’t go back, that would be signing my own death warrant!” Belle shivered uncontrollably, her voice choked with terror as she stubbornly
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Chapter 509
refused to budge an inch.
Trina, realizing the gravity of the situation, snapped at Belle, “If you stay, you’ll drag Lady Athena down with you! She’s a noblewoman with a flawless reputation, do you think she can hide a ru
a runaway concubine from the Federal Chief’s estate?
“ If Madam Beckham finds out, she’ll seize the opportunity to disgrace my lady. Belle, you can’t repay her kindness with betrayal p>
Shame and helplessness filled Belle’s gaze, though fear still rooted her to the spot.
After finally finding a place that felt safe, she couldn’t bring herself to leave.
Trina, seeing Belle wouldn’t budge, stepped forward to pull her up.
Marquita also moved to help, but the moment they touched Belle’s hand, she shrieked hysterically, “No! I won’t go! Please, Viscountess, save me! ”
Athena felt utterly helpless. She could hardly protect herself, let alone Belle.
AD
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.