From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236 Why Alone Here?

Zaden looked over at Athena and Lewis.

She stood stiff and tense, clearly doing her best to stay away from Lewis.

Zaden let out a quiet laugh.

How had he missed something that obvious before? He’d been down for a while after Athena rejected him. But now, everything clicked.

He didn’t blame her at all. If anything, he just felt like he hadn’t done enough to protect her.

Tommy asked, “Mr. Storm, what’s our next step?”

Zaden paused for a few seconds before replying, “Keep searching for any leads about Athena’s daughter.”

After ending the call, he switched back to Harriet. She sounded impatient. The second he answered, she blurted out, “So? Did Tommy find anything good?”

“Yeah,” Zaden said. “That girl isn’t Athena’s daughter. Lewis brought in a fake to force her hand.”

Harriet exploded in anger, cursing Lewis nonstop.

Zaden said calmly, “Stay close to Kit. Athena might go to him for help. Let me know if you hear anything.”

“Got it.”

He put his phone away.

By now, Lewis noticed most of the guests had shown up. He led Athena to the middle of the hall and said loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have something important to announce.”

Everyone turned toward him.

He was already getting attention just by showing up with Athena. With him suddenly making an announcement, people started whispering, curious what it might be.

Maybe it had to do with Athena.

Zaden stood off to the side, one hand in his pocket, eyes fixed on Lewis. He looked totally calm, like he already knew how it would play out.

Before Lewis could continue, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced down, saw the number, and his expression changed. He hung up right away.

Athena caught a glimpse of the caller ID-it was Nina.

She smirked inwardly. Lewis said he’d divorced Nina, but after all those years together and a kid between them, cutting ties wouldn’t be that simple.

He thought hanging up would solve it, but then a text popped up.

After he read it, his face instantly darkened.

He stuffed his phone into his pocket before Athena could notice anything. She asked in confusion, “Something wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Lewis immediately denied it.

Even though he tried to play it cool, the tension on his face said otherwise.

He took a long breath, trying to calm down. Then, he said, “Stay here for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

With that, he walked off.

Athena watched him leave, lost in thought. Maybe something had happened with Nina, and he had to go deal with it.

He’d been acting like he didn’t care about Nina anymore, like it was all in the past.

Yet the second she called, he ran straight to her.

Honestly, it was kind of funny.

Not far away, Tommy came up to Zaden and whispered, “Mr. Storm, I gave Nina the tip about the kid’s whereabouts as you instructed. She’s probably on her way now.’

Zaden’s lips curved slightly. “Good. Keep an eye on things.”

With Lewis gone, Athena quietly blended into the crowd and slipped away. A few people whispered, wondering why Lewis left so suddenly. But they soon got distracted and forgot all

about Athena.

She didn’t know when he’d return. He’d said he wouldn’t be long, so maybe he meant it.

Not knowing anyone here made her feel totally out of place. Looking outside, she noticed a

garden and decided to step out for some air.

Whoever designed the place clearly had an eye for detail. Every flower and branch looked perfectly arranged.

Athena spotted a bench and sat down.

She had barely settled when footsteps echoed nearby. Just as she wondered who it was, Zaden appeared.

She instantly felt embarrassed. She’d come here with Lewis. And since he’d just tried to provoke Zaden earlier, the situation felt awkward as hell.

Zaden sat beside her, a faint grin on his lips. “Mrs. Belmont, why are you sitting out here alone?”