From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 285

285 The Trip For Two

That evening, Athena returned to her dormitory, the soft glow of the hallway lights casting long shadows as she stepped inside. Jaylee was sprawled comfortably on the couch, her eyes glued to the flickering screen of her phone, watching short clips one after another. The moment she noticed Athena entering, she looked up with a bright smile and exclaimed, “Dr. Hall, you’re back!”

Athena nodded, a quiet weariness in her voice. “Yes, I just got in. I’m heading out on a business trip tomorrow. It should last around ten days. I need you to keep an eye on everything here. If anything happens, don’t hesitate—call me immediately.”

Jaylee’s eyes widened in surprise, and she froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard. “A business trip? Just like that?” she asked, her tone a mix of astonishment and curiosity.

But she quickly regained her composure, sitting up straighter and declaring confidently, “Don’t worry, Dr. Hall. I’ll stay vigilant and make sure everything runs smoothly. No one’s going to get a chance to pull anything against you—not even the enemy.”

Athena knew exactly who Jaylee meant by “enemy” — Maya. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but she said nothing more. Instead, she turned her attention to packing her suitcase, methodically folding clothes and organizing her things with quiet efficiency.

Jaylee watched her for a moment, then muttered under her breath, “She meets her boyfriend, and suddenly she’s off on a trip. The man with that kind of influence has to be Mr. Storm, right?”

Rubbing her temples, Jaylee shook her head, feeling more confused than ever. Every time she convinced herself that Athena and Zaden were finished, something would happen to make her question it again. But then, when she thought maybe they were together, another twist would throw her doubts right back into the mix.

Ugh, what is really going on here?

Athena didn’t have much to pack. Her suitcase was small and compact, and within minutes, she had double-checked everything. Before she could close it, she sent a quick message to Kate, informing her about the upcoming trip.

Almost immediately, Kate replied with a long list of phone numbers belonging to several well-known professors. She urged Athena to visit them if time allowed, mentioning she had already spoken to these seasoned academics, and they were eager to offer their assistance.

Athena’s lips curved into a warm smile as she read the message. It felt comforting to know so many people still cared about her and were willing to support her, even from afar.

The following morning, just as dawn was breaking and the sky was painted in soft hues of pink and orange, Athena gathered her luggage and quietly slipped out of the dorm. The corridors were still mostly empty and silent, the perfect moment to leave unnoticed.

She reached the curb and was about to call a cab when her phone rang unexpectedly. The screen displayed Zaden’s name. She answered, and his deep voice came through, calm but urgent. “Are you awake? I’m waiting downstairs.”

Curious, Athena moved to the balcony and looked down. Sure enough, his sleek black car was parked right below, engine humming softly.

He had arrived earlier than she had anticipated.

Dragging her suitcase behind her, Athena descended the stairs with steady steps. She didn’t ask for his help, loading her bag into the trunk herself. Just as she opened the car door to get in, she glanced up and spotted Jaylee standing on the dorm balcony, waving enthusiastically.

Athena couldn’t help but grin. That nosy girl must have gotten up early just to spy on her love life.

Too bad Zaden stayed inside the car, so Jaylee wouldn’t get the confirmation she was hoping for.

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