From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 342

**TITLE: Her Rise 342**
**Chapter 342 Where’s Athena?**

Zaden couldn’t suppress a chuckle at Athena’s playful remark. “I’m genuinely worried you might decide to run away,” he teased, a smirk dancing on his lips. “What would I do then?”

Athena let out a resigned sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Alright, fine. Just come pick me up after work, okay?” There was a hint of exasperation in her voice, but also an undercurrent of affection that Zaden couldn’t ignore.

With a reluctant nod, Zaden finally released her hand, the warmth of her touch lingering on his skin. “Have a great day at work,” he said, his voice softening.

Athena nodded in response, a small smile breaking through her earlier frustration. She turned and opened the door to the lounge, stepping out into the bustling hallway. As she walked away, Zaden felt the tightness in his chest begin to ease, a wave of relief washing over him.

At least that little confrontation was behind them. He thought to himself, women could be quite formidable when their tempers flared.

Zaden lingered in the hospital for a moment longer, his mind racing. Instead of leaving immediately, he headed straight to the administrative office, seeking out the person in charge. “I need you to assign Ariana a new attending doctor,” he instructed firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The administrator, sensing the urgency in his request, didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Mr. Zaden. I’ll take care of it right away.”

Once everything was set in motion, Zaden felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Athena had suffered enough this time, and the guilt gnawed at him like an insistent hunger. He couldn’t bear the thought of her enduring any more pain because of Ariana’s actions.

He decided to wait for Athena in his office until her shift wrapped up. The minutes ticked by slowly, each second amplifying his anxiety.

Meanwhile, Ariana had just returned to her ward after a routine checkup, her mind still swirling with the events of the day. She hadn’t intended to push Athena earlier; it had been a reflex, a reaction born from a deep-seated resentment that she couldn’t quite understand.

As she recalled the pale expression on Athena’s face and the way her brows had knitted together in distress, a sudden pang of guilt pierced her heart.

Did I really hurt her?

Turning to Clara, the maid standing dutifully beside her bed, Ariana asked, “Clara, when I pushed Athena earlier, she didn’t look well. Do you think she might have gotten hurt?”

Clara shook her head quickly, her voice steady. “Mrs. Ariana, I haven’t heard anything about her being injured. I’m sure she’s fine.”

Ariana let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, relief flooding her senses.

“Perhaps nothing happened after all,” she murmured, though doubt still lingered in her mind. After a brief pause, she asked hesitantly, “Clara, do you think I’m being unreasonable? Like, am I someone that everyone hates?”

Clara almost chuckled at the question. She knew Ariana well—tough as nails on the outside, yet soft-hearted within. Once Ariana accepted someone into her circle, she would defend them with fierce loyalty.

At this moment, her feelings toward Athena were anything but warm, which explained the coldness that had seeped into her demeanor. But Clara understood that if those feelings shifted, the entire dynamic would change.

Ariana’s eyes darted to Clara, silently questioning if it was Athena.

Clara nodded, her expression encouraging.

Ariana straightened her posture, mentally preparing herself for the encounter, her heart racing with anticipation. “Come in,” she called out, her voice steadier than she felt.

The door swung open, but instead of Athena, a middle-aged man clad in a white coat stepped inside. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Ariana. I’m your new attending doctor, Kevin Lynch. You can call me Dr. Lynch. If you have any questions or discomfort, please let me know at any time—”

Ariana didn’t catch a single word after that.

The moment her gaze landed on him, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

“What? Why are you here?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in agitation. “Where’s Athena? She’s my doctor! Tell her to come—I don’t want you treating me!”

Kevin, already aware of the situation, maintained his calm demeanor. He knew that Athena was Zaden’s wife, and he understood the implications of her absence. It was only natural for Zaden to intervene on her behalf.

In a measured tone, he replied, “Mrs. Ariana, Dr. Hall is injured and won’t be able to treat you for the time being. Please don’t worry; you’re in good hands. I’ll do everything I can to help you recover.”