Ordinary people couldn't easily get into that place; it required special access. And since it was overseas, it wasn't exactly convenient for most either. Maya gripped her phone tightly, her face dark with anger. If Athena completed her training there and came back, she might actually win their bet. That couldn't happen. Maya would never allow it. She took a deep breath and forced down the rage boiling inside her. Then she spoke calmly into the phone. "Roxanne, thanks for the tip. Let's not do anything rashly for now. Just keep an eye on Athena for me. Next time I visit Preston, I'll take you along." "Of course. I won't let you down," Roxanne replied. When the call ended, Maya let out a cold sneer. Roxanne had once trained under the same program as her. She'd always been eager to please Maya, probably because she had a crush on Preston, Maya's brother who lived abroad. Now, seeing Zaden and Athena together, Roxanne had rushed to inform her. Perfect. Maya could use Roxanne as her eyes inside, spying on Athena and Zaden. When the time was right, Roxanne would help her to strike. When Athena fell from grace, she will be able to steal Zaden away from her. Meanwhile, Athena had no idea she was being watched. She followed Roxanne into the surgical simulation room. "Let's begin the procedure. Athena, you'll be the lead surgeon," Roxanne said, glancing her way. Athena nodded. She followed the protocol and put on her sterile gown. The moment felt strangely familiar, like stepping back into her old life, but that was long ago.She'd spent weeks treating her hand with needle therapy, loosening the nerves and improving flexibility. Athena had worked on many practices. The results were showing; her hand moved almost like before. If this round of stimulation goes well, she could fully recover. Everything was ready. Athena stepped up to the operating table, steady and focused. Roxanne didn't step in. She only watched from the side as Athena began the operation simulation. Next to Athena, a junior doctor reported the details of the "patient," a simulated case of a man with a nerve tumor that had to be removed. Athena listened carefully, already mapping out the procedure in her mind. "Let's begin," she said firmly. She told the assisting nurse, "Scalpel number one." The nurse handed her the instrument. Athena took it, steady and focused, until a sudden sharp pain shot through her wrist. Her expression twisted in shock. She tried to grip the scalpel tighter to place it back, but her fingers gave way. The blade clattered onto the floor. Roxanne's brow furrowed instantly. "Athena, what's going on? How could you make such a rookie mistake? You realize this would be a serious accident in a real surgery!" Athena's face turned pale. "I'm sorry, let's pause the simulation," she said weakly. Her hand had completely lost strength. If it was this bad during a simulation, an actual surgery would've been a disaster. At least a simulation could be paused—real life couldn't. Athena's heart sank. The stimulation ended right there, leaving her in quiet defeat. The surveillance footage of her mistake didn't stay private for long. Roxanne immediately sent the recording to Maya. Miles away in Vlephia, Maya watched the clip and couldn't hold back a laugh. So this is the legendary Athena everyone spoke so highly of?Turns out, she isn't that impressive after all. Years ago, Athena's hand injury had been so bad she couldn't even hold a scalpel. When Maya first heard she was training abroad, she had been nervous and worried Athena might make a comeback. But now? It didn't seem like Athena could cause any real trouble. Maya smirked. She'd make good use of this video and destroy Athena's reputation once and for all. ... Athena called Zaden, asking him to pick her up. While waiting, she sat quietly in the research institute's lounge. Lucy kept glancing at her every now and then. Athena remembered what Zaden had said before he left and sighed helplessly. Just then, her phone rang—it was Harriet. Athena answered right away. "Hey, Harriet." "Athena!" Harriet's voice was tense. "How did Maya find out you and Zaden went overseas for training?" Athena was surprised. She and Zaden had left quietly early in the morning; hardly anyone saw them. Besides Harriet and Jaylee, no one should've known. How could Maya possibly learn about this? "How do you know she found out?" Athena asked. "She just posted a video on her Instagram," Harriet said quickly. "It shows you failing your simulation training abroad. The comments are brutal. Everyone's tearing you apart!"Athena didn't even have a local phone plan, and internet access here wasn't easy.