From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304 Zaden Plays Dumb

Athena held the bouquet Zaden gave her and got into the car.

Zaden started the engine and drove away.

When they arrived at the celebration spot, Athena quickly realized she’d been tricked.

The place he arranged wasn’t a restaurant, it was their hotel suite.

Finished

Zaden’s suite was large, with a table newly set in the middle. Candles flickered softly, surrounded by fresh flowers. It looked like a romantic candlelit dinner.

But being in a hotel room made her wonder what Zaden’s real intentions were.

Zaden noticed the doubt in her eyes. He kept a blank face. Without saying much, he pulled out a chair and said calmly, “Have a seat.”

Athena sat down.

Zaden took the seat across from her. “We’re flying back to Vlephia tomorrow?” he asked.

Athena nodded lightly. “Yeah. But let’s keep it a secret. I want to surprise them when we get back.”

Zaden agreed, “Sure, whatever you say.”

Athena couldn’t help but laugh. “You sound like a total pushover husband.”

Zaden didn’t mind. Instead, he smiled and played along, “If I could be your pushover husband for life, I wouldn’t mind at all.”

Athena was completely caught off guard. His words were too smooth; it made her heart flutter instantly.

No wonder she forgave him so easily before, even after all that drama with his ex. The man could talk his way out of anything.

If he wanted to, there probably wasn’t a woman alive who could resist him.

“Hungry?” Zaden asked with a half–smile. “I can have the waiter bring the food now.”

Athena nodded. “Okay.”

Zaden made a quick phone call. Soon, a waiter arrived with trays of food.

It was Athena’s first time eating dinner inside a hotel room. She found it surprisingly cozy. Still, a random thought crossed her mind. Had Zaden ever done something like this with Maya before?

She studied him seriously and asked, “Have you ever had dinner like this with Maya?”

Zaden immediately sensed danger. He knew Athena was sensitive about that topic. “No,” he answered without hesitation.

1/3

:17 pm G P P P

Chapter 304 Zaden Plays Dumb

Athena frowned. “That was far too fast. Are you sure you’re not lying?”

His reaction made Athena grow even more suspicious.

Finished

Zaden let out a sigh, half amused, half helpless. “I answered fast because I’ve got nothing to hide. Or are you planning to convict me just for that?”

Athena opened her mouth but couldn’t come up with a comeback.

After a pause, she realized there was no point in digging into the past. Whatever happened before didn’t matter anymore.

They went on to enjoy a candlelit dinner together.

After the meal, Athena immediately declared she was heading back to her room. To her surprise, Zaden didn’t stop her this time.

That alone made her suspicious–but she shrugged it off.

When she reached her room, she tried to open the door with her keycard, but it didn’t work. She tried again and again–nothing. Finally, she went down to the front desk for help.

The receptionist checked the system and said politely, “Ma’am, your room has already been checked out.”

Athena’s jaw dropped. It didn’t take long for her to realize who was behind this. Zaden had clearly taken care of it behind her back.

With no choice, she went back to his room.

A few seconds after she knocked, the door opened.

Zaden’s handsome face appeared behind the door. When he saw Athena, his lips curved in a teasing half-

brings you here again?”

smile. “Weren’t you going back to your room? Wha

Athena was stunned. He actually pretended to be ignorant. She gave him a punch on the shoulder.

“Stop playing dumb with me! Did you cancel my hotel room?”

Zaden looked at her irritated expression; he caught her wrist and gently pulled her inside. “Athena,” he said softly, “we agreed that after your exam, you’d move back to my room.”

His tone was calm and coaxing, warm enough to melt her anger.

Athena felt her heart soften instantly.

With a helpless sigh, she said, “Fine. I did say that.”

That night, after washing up, Athena returned to the bedroom.

Zaden was already lying in bed, dressed in a loose robe tied lazily at the waist. The open fabric revealed the warm bronze of his skin, effortlessly drawing the eye.

2/3

6:17pm

Chapter 304 Zaden Plays Dumb

Finished

Athena swallowed hard, pretending to act natural as she walked over and lay down beside him.

In the past, whenever they’d shared a bed, they had always kept things proper. Maybe it was because of their complicated relationship, but they’d both silently kept a respectful distance.

There was a quiet understanding between them, an invisible line neither of them had ever crossed.

2.3K