From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 288

288 You’re Far From It

Even women from distant lands found it hard to resist his charm.

It was no surprise that Maya refused to back down, returning with fierce determination, intent on winning him over.

Zaden caught Athena’s gaze drifting away, her eyes clouded with thought. Turning to her, he asked with genuine curiosity, “Athena, what’s on your mind?”

She pressed her lips together, lowering her voice to a whisper. “That woman was staring at you in a strange way.”

Zaden let out a soft chuckle.

He had definitely noticed the way that woman looked at him—he wasn’t oblivious. But honestly, he didn’t care. There was only one woman who truly mattered to him.

Still, Athena’s reaction brought a smile to his face. Seeing a flicker of jealousy in her eyes gave him an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

Since their marriage—arranged because of Teri—their relationship had settled into a calm, steady rhythm, much like a quiet lake.

There was certainly attraction, but passion was something that had never fully ignited.

At times, Zaden wondered if Athena’s feelings for him were different from what most wives felt for their husbands. Perhaps the wounds Lewis had inflicted ran too deep, causing her to lock away her heart.

But this trip abroad was revealing something new. Athena did care—more than she let on.

“What’s so strange about it? I didn’t see anything unusual,” Zaden teased with a half-smile.

Athena opened her mouth to explain but then caught the playful curl of his lips. It dawned on her—he already understood exactly what she meant and was just having fun with her.

Her brows furrowed in frustration, and she turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.

Zaden sighed, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. She was truly impossible whenever she got like this.

Just then, the front desk clerk emerged from the research building. “Mr. Storm, Dr. Windal is ready to see you,” she said politely.

Zaden glanced at Athena, then nodded. “Let’s go,” he said softly.

Athena hesitated for a moment before turning back to him. “I’ll go inside alone. It might be boring in there, so you can just wait out here.”

In truth, she was nervous. She’d always felt uneasy about her hand.

She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t want Zaden to see that vulnerable side of her. It made her feel exposed, as if she were somehow unsafe.

But Zaden’s cold dismissal hit her like a heavy blow.

Determined not to be defeated, Lucy lifted her chin and said, “Mr. Storm, aren’t you underestimating me? I’m just as capable and attractive as the woman you came with.”

She clearly assumed Athena was Zaden’s date.

Zaden let out a short, sharp laugh. “I think you’re nowhere close.”

That marked the second time Lucy had been humiliated that day. Her pride couldn’t take another hit. Without a word, she turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, Athena remained unaware of the exchange. She was already meeting Conrad Windal, the hospital director.

Of Acreainian descent, Conrad had been briefed by Zaden beforehand. When he saw Athena, his demeanor was warm and respectful.

In slightly broken Acrein, he greeted her with a polite smile. “Mrs. Storm, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Storm mentioned you’d be here for surgical practice. I didn’t expect you to be so beautiful. I’m sure your skills are just as impressive.”

Athena returned a polite smile but kept her past to herself. Though her nerves had mostly settled, she knew her control wasn’t yet perfect.

The room was quiet, filled with the faint hum of hospital activity outside. Athena took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.