From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 312

**Her Rise 312: The Secret Between Friends**

Preston reached out, his hand lightly brushing against Maya’s head in a gesture of comfort. “It’s alright,” he murmured, his voice soothing, as if trying to calm the storm brewing within her.

With an unexpected shift in demeanor, he steered the conversation in a different direction. “What do you think are Athena’s chances of making it through the surgery?” he inquired, his tone neutral, yet there was an undercurrent of concern that Maya didn’t miss.

Maya’s thoughts instantly shifted, her previous worries evaporating like morning mist. A cold laugh escaped her lips, sharp and biting. “Athena can barely hold a scalpel! I’d wager her chances are less than five percent!” The disdain in her voice was palpable, and she quickly fished out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen to find a video of Athena’s earlier attempts.

“Look at this, Preston,” she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and contempt. “She’s utterly hopeless! Tsk! Tsk!” The video played, showcasing Athena’s clumsy maneuvers, and Maya’s expression was a blend of amusement and superiority.

Standing quietly beside them, Kit observed the exchange with a furrowed brow. He glanced at Preston, who seemed unfazed by Maya’s harsh words, then shifted his gaze away, lost in thought.

Kit had a deeper understanding of Preston than Maya could ever hope to possess. He could see the subtle signs—the way Preston’s eyes softened when Athena was mentioned, the slight tension in his shoulders. It was clear to Kit that Preston had played a pivotal role in Athena’s journey, but the question lingered in his mind: why?

He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Yet, one thing was certain—Preston had come to the hospital today for Athena.

Deciding it was best not to share this revelation with Maya, Kit kept his silence. After all, he knew it would only serve to upset her further.

As Preston and Maya continued to scrutinize the video, Kit quietly excused himself, feeling an urgent need to find Athena. He had to understand why she hadn’t reached out to him for help. Were they truly drifting apart?

Not long after, he spotted Athena in the hallway, her attention focused on her files, a look of concentration etched across her face. Kate was engaged in conversation with Zaden a little way down the corridor, leaving Athena momentarily alone.

Seizing the opportunity, Kit approached her, his voice soft and tinged with concern. “Athena, when you found yourself in trouble, why didn’t you come to me?”

At the sound of his voice, Athena glanced up, her expression calm yet betraying a hint of helplessness.

“If I had waited for your help,” she replied, her tone steady, “I’d still be stuck in that situation. I wouldn’t even be standing here today.”

She understood Kit’s capabilities well. He was someone who could have come to her aid if only the circumstances had allowed for it. But at that moment, there had been no time for long-distance assistance.

Moreover, Zaden had already stepped in to help her. Asking another man for assistance would have felt awkward, potentially leading Zaden to think she didn’t trust him to handle the situation.

Kit sighed, the weight of disappointment settling in his chest, yet he accepted her reasoning. At least she hadn’t completely shut him out; it was simply a matter of her choosing not to ask for his help this time.

But the frustration bubbled beneath the surface. “Ever since you got yourself a man,” he complained, crossing his arms with a mock pout, “you’ve been pushing me away! I was your favorite person before him!”

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