Athena worried she might not be good enough to handle the entire surgery. She spoke modestly, "I'm still new and don't have much experience. I'll need your guidance for the next few days." Conrad smiled politely. "Oh, I'm not the right person for that! But don't worry, I've arranged for an experienced surgeon to mentor you. You'll gain plenty of practice soon." Athena smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Windal." Conrad picked up the phone and called someone. A few minutes later, a young woman in a white lab coat walked in, wearing a surgical mask. She looked about the same age as Athena. "Mrs. Storm," Conrad said, "this is Dr. Wood. She's from the same country as you. I thought it might make communication easier if you worked together." Athena nodded in thanks, though she thought quietly to herself. She could speak foreign languages perfectly well. There wasn't a need for that arrangement. Roxanne Wood looked at Athena for a moment, her brow tightening as if she were thinking about something. She quickly masked her reaction. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Wood," Athena said with a friendly smile. "You can call me Athena." Roxanne removed her mask and gave her a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Athena. I'll be the one guiding you for the next few days. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask." They exchanged a few polite words and got to know each other. Athena didn't actually need help with theory. Her research papers and academic work had always been solid.What she truly lacked was hands-on surgical experience and rehabilitation practice. But she didn't mention that. She didn't want anyone to think she was arrogant. Conrad said, "Dr. Wood, Mrs. Storm will be training with us for a week. Please guide her as much as you can." "I understand," Roxanne replied simply. She asked Athena to wait for a bit while she prepared. They would head to the operating room for practice later. Athena stepped back to the lobby and spotted Zaden sitting quietly in the guest area. He looked calm and elegant, so put together that she couldn't help admiring him for a moment before walking over. "Zaden, have you been waiting long?" she asked. "Not really," he said, standing up and walking to her side. "You done already?" "It just started," Athena said with a small smile. "I'll be in surgery training soon. It might take a while. Do you want to head back first?" Zaden thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Call me when you're done. I'll come pick you up." Athena felt relieved. With him gone, she wouldn't have to worry about him waiting around. She walked him to the front entrance. As they passed the reception desk, she noticed Lucy staring at her with a strange look. Did something happen when she was away? Once they stepped outside, Athena frowned and asked, "Did something happen between you and that receptionist? She's looking at me weirdly." Zaden's lips curved into a cold smile. "She handed me her business card," he said. "Told me to call her anytime for help."Athena blinked. Even if she wasn't the most sensitive person in the world, she caught the meaning right away. So that's what that woman meant. She couldn't believe someone could be so bold and flirt with a married man right in front of his wife. "So," she asked dryly, "what did you say to her?" Zaden raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say much. I just told her my wife is a thousand times better than she'll ever be. I'm not interested in her at all." Athena was speechless. Isn't he making enemy for me? She still had to stay at the research institute for several more days. Meeting that receptionist every day might get awkward. But soon, she brushed the thought aside. That woman made the first move; why should I be polite with her? With that, Athena's mind felt much lighter. ... In a quiet corner of the research institute, Roxanne spoke softly on the phone. "Hey, Maya, you won't believe this. I just saw Zaden at the Rewha Institute. He's here with a woman named Athena. That woman is here for medical training." Meanwhile, far away in Vlephia, Maya's face darkened the moment she heard the news. Maya thought she'd already made things difficult enough for Athena; this challenge would finally make her fail completely. But she never expected Zaden to take Athena abroad to one of the top medical research institutes! Maya knew exactly what kind of place that institute was. It was one of the best in the world, built specifically for advanced medical studies. It had world-class professors, top-tier surgeons, and cutting-edge equipment. If Athena trained there for even a short time, she could easily qualify for any major hospital afterward.