From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 308

**Her Rise 308**

**Chapter 308: The Return to Vlephia**

Before long, Zaden made his way back into the room, his expression a mixture of relief and determination.

Athena, sensing his presence, sprang to her feet, her heart racing with anticipation. “How did it go? Is everything resolved? Can I finally go back to Vlephia?” Her voice was laced with hope, each word tinged with the urgency of her longing.

Zaden offered a reassuring nod, his demeanor calm yet confident. “It’s all taken care of. We just need to head to security now.”

At those words, a radiant smile broke across Athena’s face, illuminating her features. The oppressive weight that had been pressing down on her chest began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of liberation and joy.

Deep down, she had always believed that things would work out, yet hearing the confirmation made all the difference.

“You’re incredible!” Athena exclaimed, her grin widening as she looked at him, admiration sparkling in her eyes.

Zaden pressed his lips together, a subtle smile dancing in his eyes, though he felt a twinge of humility. In reality, he hadn’t done much. The officials had approached him first, their apologies spilling forth as they labeled the entire situation a misunderstanding. It was clear that someone had been orchestrating events from the shadows, pulling strings to create chaos.

But Zaden chose not to dwell on the intricacies of the situation; his priority was to deliver the good news to Athena.

“Let’s get moving,” Athena declared, her excitement bubbling over as she grasped his hand with one and pulled her suitcase along with the other.

They navigated through security once more, this time encountering no obstacles. Everything flowed seamlessly, as if the universe was aligning in their favor. Finally, they arrived at the boarding gate, where they settled in to wait for their flight, anticipation buzzing in the air.

As Athena stepped onto the plane, a wave of tranquility washed over her for the first time that day. The familiar hum of the aircraft and the scent of the cabin felt like a warm embrace.

Zaden turned to her, concern etched in his features. “If you’re feeling tired, it might be a good idea to take a nap,” he suggested gently, his voice low and soothing.

Athena shook her head vigorously, determination glimmering in her eyes. “I’m not tired at all.”

In truth, she was too energized, her mind racing with thoughts of confronting Maya. The challenge ahead ignited a fire within her, and she couldn’t wait to face it head-on.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally landed at Vlephia Airport. As they stepped through the arrival gate, Athena’s eyes scanned the crowd, her heart leaping when she spotted Tommy. He was craning his neck, searching for them amidst the throngs of travelers.

The moment he caught sight of them, he rushed over, his demeanor professional yet warm. “Ms. Hall and Mr. Storm, welcome back! The car is parked in the lot—I’ll take you there.”

As Tommy led the way, he seemed to remember something important. He slowed his pace, sidling closer to Zaden, and whispered, “Mr. Storm, I believe Mr. Rice also returned to Vlephia today. I just ran into Ms. Rice at the airport.”

Despite Teri growing older, Athena still cherished the moments when she could hold her close, treating her like the little girl she had always been. “I missed you too, sweetheart,” she replied softly, laughter dancing in her voice.

The two of them held each other tightly, exchanging stories of their time apart, their voices filled with joy and love.

It was a beautiful, tender moment—one that seemed to freeze time itself.

From the doorway, Zaden observed them quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. If only life could remain this perfect and uncomplicated forever.

The following day marked the deadline for the wager between Athena and Maya.

Maya was brimming with confidence, convinced that Athena wouldn’t be able to make it back in time. The thought filled her with a sense of smug satisfaction, and she couldn’t suppress the smile that crept across her face.

Roxanne had proven to be utterly useless. After sending Maya just two leaked videos of Athena’s practice sessions, she was promptly fired.

Yet, those videos had wreaked havoc. While Athena had been away, Maya had taken it upon herself to upload the clips online, transforming Athena into a target of ridicule. People mocked her for her overconfidence, calling her foolish for even attempting to return.

As Preston strode into the hospital, Maya turned to him, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. “Preston, since when do you care about this sort of thing? What’s next, pigs flying? Why are you gracing us with your presence here?”