From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 327

**Her Rise 327**
**Trapped**

Athena’s lips curled into a gentle smile, a warmth blossoming in her chest. “I never imagined Teri and I would hit it off this well,” she said, her voice laced with sincerity. But as soon as those words escaped her, an unexpected wave of apprehension washed over her. She hesitated, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. Finally, she mustered the courage to ask softly, “Zaden, if Teri’s mother were to show up out of the blue one day, what would you do?”

Teri’s mother?

Zaden’s brow furrowed slightly at the unexpected question.

In the depths of his mind, there was no uncertainty—he would never relinquish Athena for a stranger, no matter who she was. Even if Maya stood before him, demanding his attention, his heart would still choose Athena without a moment’s pause.

He had resolved this long ago, and his conviction was unshakeable.

Locking his gaze with Athena’s, Zaden spoke in a low, steady tone, “Even if she does show up, what does it matter? I have only one Mrs. Storm.”

The moment those words reached Athena’s ears, a rush of understanding flooded her.

Was this his way of revealing his feelings for her?

Her cheeks flushed with warmth at the thought, and just then, she caught sight of Teri sprinting towards them. “Teri’s here!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement.

With a swift motion, she flung open the car door and stepped out, her heart racing as her cheeks still burned with embarrassment.

Zaden watched her retreating figure, a soft smile gracing his lips as he admired her flustered demeanor.

He had spent years searching for Teri’s mother, and now, he felt certain that she would never resurface. Even if she did, it wouldn’t change a thing.

In his heart, there was only one woman he recognized—Athena.

With a sense of purpose, Athena opened the car door for Teri, who radiated joy. It was a special moment—the first time Athena had come to pick her up from school, and Teri’s excitement was palpable.

The two settled into the backseat, their chatter filling the space with lightness and warmth, laughter bubbling forth like a melody.

As Zaden started the car, a sense of unity enveloped them, and they drove home together, a family in every sense of the word.

Meanwhile, in her office, Maya was a tempest of fury.

She had never anticipated that her planted operative would be caught. Athena had completed the surgery without a hitch—how could that possibly be after all the meticulous planning she had put into place? Why was it that no matter how intricately she schemed, Athena always emerged unscathed, as if shielded by an invisible force?

Just then, her assistant tiptoed into the room, anxiety radiating from her as she approached, fearful of igniting Maya’s wrath.

To the outside world, Maya appeared to be a woman of calm demeanor, but her assistant, who had weathered many storms by her side, knew the truth—that there was a darker side lurking beneath the surface.

Maya shot her a piercing glare. “What brings you here?” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut.

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