From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 297

Chapter 297: Cooling Off

“By the way,” Athena said, raising a skeptical eyebrow at Zaden, “I’m not going to that research institute you arranged. Maya has connections there, and I don’t like the idea of being watched all the time.”

With that curt remark, she turned and strode out of the hotel room, her footsteps echoing softly down the corridor.

Zaden stood frozen for a moment, frustration flickering across his eyes. He wasn’t sure how to fix this—he had clearly upset her again.

He quickly caught up to her, closing the distance between them.

Athena paused and shot him a cold glare. “Why are you following me?” she asked sharply.

“I’m just worried about you,” he replied gently, his voice low and sincere. “Please don’t be mad.”

“No,” she said bluntly, “I am mad.”

Since the day they first met, Athena had always admired Zaden’s calm and gentlemanly nature. They had never really argued before.

Even when Maya appeared and tensions rose, they only gave each other the silent treatment—never a real fight.

But now, something between them felt broken, as if a rift had opened that neither wanted to admit. If they didn’t address it, the same conflicts would keep resurfacing, wearing them down.

Maybe it was because of what had happened with Lewis.

Athena still carried the scars of past relationships. Whenever things got tough, her instinct was to pull away, to protect herself from getting hurt again.

Right now, she needed space—a quiet place to think clearly and figure out where they stood. That was why she wanted to stay alone in her hotel room for a while.

Zaden could see the genuine upset in her eyes.

He regretted the harsh words he’d said earlier, but it was too late to take them back.

For now, Athena needed time to cool off. No matter what he said, nothing would help until her anger subsided.

“All right,” Zaden said calmly, “if you want your own room, that’s fine. I’ll come with you. We’ll book it here—this hotel belongs to my company anyway.”

Athena had planned to stay closer to the research institute that Kate had recommended.

She hadn’t expected Zaden to be so insistent. Before she could refuse, he pulled out his phone and called the front desk.

She listened quietly as he spoke in a foreign language, giving swift instructions to open another room right next door to theirs.

By the time she realized what he was doing, it was too late to protest.

“Athena,” Zaden said, ending the call, “your room’s ready. It’s right next to mine. If you need anything, just knock.”

Athena was left speechless.

Arguing further seemed pointless. At least in her own room, she could find some peace and quiet.

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