From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 280

Zaden let out a soft sigh.

He could tell Athena still didn’t fully trust him.

That was the only reason she’d asked that kind of question. He would never take Maya’s side.

But maybe he hadn’t done enough to prove it yet.

He looked at Athena seriously. “I’m not on Maya side. We’re not close, and there’s no reason for me to help a stranger.”

Athena didn’t respond.

She just picked up her fork and started eating. The room grew quiet. Zaden kept serving her food from the shared dishes, one plate after another. The tension between them slowly faded. The air became calm again, nothing like yesterday.

Athena realized she preferred it this way. There was no need to fight all the time.

Maybe she’d been overthinking things.

As long as Zaden didn’t cross any major lines, there was no point in holding on to every small mistake.

Her heart felt lighter. The wall between them slowly started to fade.

There were a lot of dishes, and by the end, Athena was so full she almost couldn’t move.

“I should head back to work,” she said, getting up from her seat. Zaden also stood, wanting to walk her out, but she quickly waved him off. “I’d rather you not,” she said gently. “I don’t want to start rumors right after I’ve joined the hospital. It might affect my challenge.”

He nodded, understanding, though he didn’t look happy about it.

“Do you need me to find a specialist for your hand?” he asked. “I can contact someone with a good reputation in the field.”

Athena raised a brow. “Who do you have in mind?”

“There’s a surgeon,” Zaden frowned, thinking for a moment and answering hesitantly. “Her name’s Serena. She was one of the best, but she retired years ago. I could try to track her down.”

Athena had no words.

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11:24 Mon, Nov 10

Chapter 280 Running Into Trouble

She looked at him. Not sure whether to laugh or tell him the truth.

That legendary Dr. Serena he spoke of was standing right in front of him.

But after a pause, she decided not to say anything.

B

Finished

That glory belonged to the past. After everything she’d been through, it felt like she was reborn. The old her no longer existed. This time, she would build everything again from the ground

1. up.

“No need,” Athena said calmly. “I’ve already figured out a way to treat my hand.”

With that, she left the restaurant. Before heading out, she ordered some takeout for Jaylee. Athena had tasted them earlier and thought they were pretty good.

Carrying the takeout boxes, Athena stepped outside, only to bump right into Maya.

Maya’s brows knitted together the moment she saw her. “Athena? What are you doing here?”

Earlier, when they’d met outside the hospital, Maya had assumed Athena was just grabbing some fast food. She never imagined Athena would come to the same restaurant.

Athena felt her patience thinning. Why do I keep running into this woman everywhere I go? What are the odds?

Her mind flashed to a troubling thought. Did Zaden ask Maya to come here after having dinner with me?

He couldn’t actually be that shameless… right?

Keeping her voice even, Athena said, “I’m meeting someone for dinner.”

Maya’s face darkened slightly, unsure if Athena was mocking her. After all, when she’d offered Athena a ride earlier, she’d said the exact same thing.

Just as the two stood in tension, a tall, familiar figure appeared at the doorway.

Zaden.

Athena raised an eyebrow but didn’t move. She wanted to see for herself if the “someone” Maya had mentioned earlier was him.

Maya’s eyes widened in shock the moment she saw Zaden.

He was the last person she expected to see here. From the look of it, Athena was here with him. A wave of dread crept through her chest.

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11:24 Mon, Nov 10

Chapter 280 Running Into Trouble

Could it be that the person Athena’s meeting for dinner is Zaden?

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