From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 101

From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life

Chapter 101 Will Zaden Believe Her?

Athena still didn’t move when she heard Zaden’s voice.

It almost looked as though she had already…

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A dark, dangerous pressure radiated from Zaden. His sharp features hardened all at once, and his presence turned suffocating, as if death itself had walked in.

“Z–Zaden’s here … ”

The robbers faltered the instant they saw him, stumbling backward in terror.

The men at Zaden’s back surged forward, and the four criminals were helpless against their overwhelming numbers. They were pinned down within seconds, and the chaos swiftly ended.

“Athena, are you alright?” Harriet cried frantically and was about to run toward her.

But someone else reached her first.

Zaden strode straight to Athena and stopped cold when he saw her shielding someone in her arms. She had pulled Teri against her chest and used her own body as a barrier, taking all the danger upon herself just to protect the child.

The sight slammed into Zaden’s chest like a blow.

His breath seized, his chest tightening, and after a long, heavy pause, he forced out her name in a low, rough voice. “Athena.”

At last, the unmoving figure stirred. Athena’s eyes slowly came back into focus, landing on Zaden’s face. Her lips curved in the faintest, fragile smile as she whispered weakly, “You finally

came.”

“Where are you hurt? How do you feel?”

He didn’t dare touch her recklessly, afraid she might be gravely injured.

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Athena gave the slightest shake of her head. She opened her mouth as if to speak again, but her vision blurred as darkness closed in. Before she could finish, she slumped forward, all her strength gone.

Zaden no longer cared about anything else. He bent down and swept her into his arms.

The moment his hands touched her, he felt the chill of her body and noticed her skin was streaked with blood. Her palms were torn open and raw–evidence of everything she had endured to protect the child.

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Chapter 101 Will Zaden Believe Her?

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Harriet rushed up behind, blurting in panic, “How’s Athena?”

Zaden’s voice came out low and grim. “Take Teri downstairs.”

He passed Teri into safe arms, then carried Athena himself toward the stairs.

Harriet watched, her expression complicated.

She muttered inwardly, half in disbelief, Wow, Zaden looks more shaken over Athena than his own daughter! Is he actually … falling for her?

The thought sent a ripple of delight through her.

She hurried to scoop Teri into her arms and quickly followed.

Athena, dimly aware, felt herself being carried. The warmth enclosing her was steady, familiar, safe–a presence that made her want to sink into it completely.

Almost without thinking, her fingers curled into his shirt, gripping tightly.

Zaden glanced down. His tailored dress shirt was already soaked through with blood, yet he didn’t even frown. His steps remained calm, steady, and unshaken.

He carefully settled Athena into the car and instructed Tommy to get everything ready at the hospital.

Tommy nodded quickly, then hesitated, remembering something. “Mr. Storm, what about those men?”

Zaden’s brows drew together. “Keep them alive and question them. I want to know who’s behind this.”

When Athena came to, the first thing she heard was raised voices quarreling outside her hospital room.

She froze, then her mind cleared instantly.

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It was Zaden’s voice. And …

“Zaden, how could you suspect me?

“Did that woman tell you this, and you just believed it? Don’t you think it’s strange that she appeared with those kidnappers? For all you know, she arranged it. Don’t let her trick you!

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Chapter 101 Will Zaden Believe Her?

“Teri is my own granddaughter–why would I ever do such a thing?

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“Isn’t it obvious? That woman wants to seduce you. She staged everything! She had Teri kidnapped just so she could play hero, win your sympathy, and worm her way into your heart. Don’t be such an idiot!”

Athena listened quietly, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

She guessed Zaden must have uncovered something about Beverly; perhaps the kidnappers had confessed. Whatever it was, Beverly’s scheme was exposed.

And now Beverly was desperately trying to pin everything on her.

Classic–bad guys always play the victim first.

It’s pathetic.

But will Zaden believe her? Beverly is his mother, after all. By instinct, most people will side with their own blood.

Still, Athena felt no bitterness.

Teri was safe that alone was enough.

Even so, she silently hoped Zaden would at least stay on guard against his mother, so something like this would never happen again.

After all, she might have managed to save Teri once, but she couldn’t guarantee a second time.

Everyone slips up eventually.

Her thoughts drifted until the argument outside abruptly stopped. Moments later, the hospital door opened, and Zaden stepped inside. He found Athena sitting dazed on the bed, staring blankly into space, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.

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