From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 385

**TITLE: Her Rise 385**
**Chapter 385 He Is So Full of Himself**

Elijah stood like a steadfast lighthouse amidst the tempest of rumors swirling around him and Athena, completely unfazed by the gossip that echoed through the hospital’s corridors. To him, the whispers were nothing more than inconsequential background noise, a distant murmur that held no weight or significance. He made no attempts to clarify the misunderstandings that brewed in the minds of his colleagues, allowing the confusion to simmer, particularly concerning Zaden’s unwavering trust in Athena.

Yet, what if beneath that calm facade, Elijah secretly thrived on the chaos? The idea danced playfully in his mind, igniting a spark of mischief. If the misunderstandings continued to fester, perhaps Zaden would feel compelled to confront Athena, creating a rift that could potentially fracture their relationship. However, Zaden’s steadfast belief in Athena stood as an impenetrable barrier against Elijah’s cunning schemes. It was almost as if fate conspired against him, while Maya, the architect of this tangled web of deceit, found her intentions laid bare for all to see.

Elijah caught a fleeting glimpse of the wary glint in Athena’s eyes, a flicker of uncertainty that brought an almost imperceptible smirk to his lips. It was a momentary satisfaction, a reminder that the tension in the air was thick and electrifying.

Meanwhile, Maya clung desperately to the hope that she could still twist the situation to her advantage. She was convinced that Elijah would never side with Athena; after all, Zaden was his true rival, and Athena was firmly entrenched in Zaden’s camp. Maya believed that Elijah would intervene, smoothing over the situation and ensuring she faced no real consequences.

As that thought settled in her mind, a wave of relief washed over Maya, momentarily easing her taut nerves. She convinced herself that she had narrowly escaped disaster, that the storm would pass without her suffering any significant damage.

“Mr. Elijah,” she ventured, her voice dripping with a feigned innocence that she hoped would mask her deceit, “I think this must be a misunderstanding. Perhaps we should delve a bit deeper into the matter before reaching any final conclusions.”

Her suggestion was a subtle nudge, a hint she hoped would coax Elijah into letting the situation slide. If he chose to cover for her, she believed the turmoil would eventually dissipate like mist in the morning sun.

Athena’s expression darkened as she listened to Maya’s words, a storm brewing within her. She steeled herself against the possibility that Maya might escape unscathed from the web of lies she had spun. Yet, a small glimmer of triumph flickered in Athena’s heart; at least the truth had surfaced, and she had finally cleared her own name. That, she thought, was a small victory worth celebrating.

Just as frustration began to bubble within her, Elijah’s laughter sliced through the tension like a sharp blade. He turned to Maya, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Professor Rice, we need to address the false rumors you’ve been spreading about me and Athena…”

Maya’s eyes widened in disbelief, shock coursing through her veins like ice water. Was Elijah genuinely about to defend Athena? The very notion sent her heart racing.

Athena mirrored Maya’s surprise, caught off guard by Elijah’s unexpected stance. She had not anticipated him stepping up to confront the issue, yet she felt no sense of relief wash over her. Deep down, she understood that Elijah was driven by his own motives, always playing a game with rules that remained obscured to her.

“Dr. Bennett,” Elijah continued, his tone steady and commanding, “I heard you were considering suspending Professor Rice?”

Rick, the hospital administrator, found himself in a precarious position, torn between his duty and the influence Maya wielded through her connections. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on his shoulders, and he could feel the eyes of his colleagues on him, waiting for his response.

But now, with Elijah at the helm of the hospital, he held the ultimate authority over any decisions made. If Elijah backed the move to suspend Maya, Rick knew that Beverly’s opinions would hold no weight in the aftermath.

“Yes, Mr. Elijah,” Rick replied, his voice laced with uncertainty, the tension palpable in the air. “We took a vote on that just before you arrived, but we hadn’t finalized it yet.”

He hesitated, then added, “What do you think we should do about Professor Rice’s situation?”

Elijah’s response was cool and collected, as if he had anticipated this moment. “Just proceed with your decision.”

“Effective tomorrow, Professor Rice is suspended from her position until further notice.”

The moment Maya heard her fate, it felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath her. She was utterly defeated, and the weight of her reality crashed down on her like a tidal wave, threatening to pull her under.

Yet, as despair clawed at her, a flicker of hope ignited within her. Zaden was no longer connected to the hospital, and perhaps leaving wouldn’t spell the end of her aspirations. She could find another angle, another way to weave herself back into his life.

That thought provided a small measure of comfort as the meeting drew to a close and people began to file out, their conversations a murmur of disbelief and speculation.

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