From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 374

**Her Rise 374**

**Chapter 374 The Photos Go Viral**

Elijah leaned back in his chair, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “Oh, it’s really no trouble at all! I can’t help but notice how effortlessly you handle everything. You’re not Teri’s biological mother, yet you carry yourself as if she were your own flesh and blood. If her actual mother ever caught wind of this, I can only imagine how delighted she would be.”

Athena’s brows furrowed deeply, her displeasure palpable.

His words struck a raw nerve, sending a surge of irritation coursing through her. The last thing she wanted was to engage in this conversation any further.

“Alright, it’s getting late,” she replied, her voice clipped and sharp, betraying her impatience. “I really need to head home now. You can do whatever you wish, Mr. Elijah.”

As she rose from her seat, Elijah’s gaze followed her with a mixture of curiosity and something akin to concern.

He made no move to stop her, but there was an urgency in his voice when he asked, “Have you remembered yet?”

Remembered what?

The supposed connection he claimed they shared?

No, they were practically strangers!

Athena shot him a frosty glare, her heart racing with annoyance and frustration. “I don’t know you, and I certainly don’t need to remember anything.”

Elijah let out a resigned sigh, his expression softening as he replied, “I had hoped you might recall on your own. I honestly didn’t think that after all this time, you would still be in the dark.”

Athena’s mood soured even further. Unable to contain her growing frustration, she demanded, “When exactly did we supposedly meet? Please, enlighten me, Mr. Elijah. If this is just some ploy to get closer to me, I suggest you stop right now. This is utterly pointless.”

Elijah noted the fire burning in her eyes and couldn’t help but smile, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his gaze. “If you can’t remember, then forget it,” he said lightly, his tone disarmingly casual.

With that, he fell silent, making no further attempts to prevent her from leaving. Instead, he rose from his chair and strolled toward the exit, his demeanor calm yet shrouded in mystery.

Athena stood frozen for a moment, watching his retreating figure, a tempest of emotions swirling within her. Her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides, betraying her agitation.

He’s definitely doing this on purpose!

Elijah had merely hinted at something significant but had revealed only a sliver of his thoughts. Perhaps this was all part of a calculated game on his part.

He wanted her to ponder, to ignite a spark of curiosity within her, hoping she would eventually reach out to him of her own accord. This man was far too clever for his own good!

Athena felt a wall of caution rise within her, and she quickly pushed the troubling thoughts aside.

Determined to keep her distance from Elijah in the future, she took a deep breath, steadied her nerves, and exited the office, her heart still racing.

Just moments later, Maya emerged from her hiding spot around the corner, a gleam of satisfaction lighting up her eyes as she scrolled through the photos on her phone, a smile creeping across her face. Earlier, she had sensed that Athena and Elijah might cross paths again, and she was eager to capture the moment.

To her delight, she hadn’t just found them together; she had managed to snap several candid shots that would surely stir the pot.

Maya reveled in the uproar, her heart racing with delight. She was certain everyone, including Zaden, would soon see the chaos unfolding.

Meanwhile, Zaden had been enjoying dinner at the Storm Estate, where the atmosphere was tense but manageable, thanks to Drake’s stern demeanor.

He knew Athena and Teri were waiting for him at home, but just as he was about to leave, his phone buzzed with incoming notifications.

Curiosity piqued, he glanced at the screen and felt his stomach drop as he spotted the photos of Athena and Elijah.

His brow furrowed, a dark shadow settling over his features, an unsettling feeling creeping into his chest.

Drake, seated across from him, was engrossed in a conversation about company matters, while Peyton sat nearby. Just then, someone approached Peyton, whispering urgently in his ear.

Peyton’s expression hardened as he pulled out his phone, his eyes widening in shock as he too beheld the images of Athena and Elijah.

As Athena stepped out of the office, the weight of her emotions hung heavily in the air—a mix of annoyance and confusion swirling within her. Elijah’s enigmatic words lingered in her mind, challenging her resolve and igniting a sense of curiosity she had fought so hard to suppress. She had intended to keep her distance, but the encounter had stirred something deep inside her, a flicker of connection that she couldn’t quite dismiss. The walls she had built around her heart felt precarious, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that Elijah was not just a stranger, but a catalyst for something transformative in her life.

Meanwhile, Maya’s calculated move to share the photos had set off a chain reaction that would inevitably ripple through Athena’s world. As the chaos unfolded in the group chat, Athena’s carefully curated life threatened to unravel, exposing her vulnerabilities to her colleagues and, more importantly, to Zaden. The tension in the air was palpable; the images had the power to reshape perceptions and ignite jealousy, forcing Athena to confront not only her feelings for Elijah but also the ramifications of her choices. As she braced herself for the fallout, Athena realized that her journey was far from over—she was on the brink of a rise, one that would challenge her to embrace both her past and the uncertain future ahead.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter, tensions are set to escalate as the fallout from Maya’s viral photos begins to unfold. With the hospital staff buzzing with gossip and speculation, Athena will find herself at the center of a whirlwind of rumors that threaten not only her reputation but also her relationships. Zaden’s reaction to the images will be pivotal; will he confront Athena about the perceived betrayal, or will he seek to protect her from the judgment of their peers? As the lines between personal and professional blur, Athena will have to navigate the treacherous waters of workplace dynamics while grappling with her own feelings toward Elijah and the mysterious connection he claims they share.

Meanwhile, Maya’s devious plan may have unintended consequences. As the chaos she orchestrated spirals out of control, she might find herself facing backlash from unexpected allies. The tension will mount as secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested, leading to a dramatic confrontation that could change everything. With Elijah lurking in the background, his motives still shrouded in mystery, Athena may be forced to confront not only the rumors but also the truth about her past and her feelings for him. Prepare for an explosive chapter filled with revelations, confrontations, and the potential for alliances to shift as the stakes rise ever higher.