A curious voice pulled Maya back from her thoughts. Kit glanced at Preston with confusion. He couldn't figure out why his brother suddenly cared about Maya's situation at the hospital since coming back yesterday. Preston had always been distant and even cold, but he was brilliant and successful. He never bothered with trivial things like Maya's bet with Athena. Yet that morning, when Maya said she was heading to the hospital, Preston decided to come along. That alone made Kit curious enough to tag along. Maya turned to look at Preston, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Preston, Kit's right. You never cared about this kind of thing before. Why the change of heart?" Preston's face remained calm, his tone slow and measured. "I want to see what kind of person could make my sister so nervous. And I want to see how you plan to win." Maya puckered her lips at this. She didn't want to admit Athena was skilled. Honestly, she didn't think much of her at all. In her eyes, Athena was nothing special. After all, she'd already made sure Athena couldn't return from overseas. With so many people gathered today, Athena's absence would look like cowardice. Everyone would think she backed out at the last minute. And after all those videos she'd leaked, Athena would become the perfect target for mockery. "Preston," Maya said proudly, "Athena's stuck abroad. Too bad. You won't get to see a thing." Kit's eyes widened in shock. Athena's trapped overseas? She hadn't called him for help. He hadn't heard a single word from her. Had Athena really decided to cut all ties with him because of Maya?Preston's eyes darkened, a shadow flickering beneath them. He already knew his sister was about to be disappointed, but finding out Athena's true strength was far more important. Kit turned to Maya. "Did you really make Preston stop Athena from flying home?" Maya frowned, clearly unhappy at being questioned. She quickly turned to Preston to complain. "See? This is exactly what I mean! He's always taking Athena's side. I don't even know whose family he thinks he belongs to!" Kit froze. Ever since they were kids, Preston had always been the one person he didn't dare argue with. He shut his mouth at once. Still, he remembered that Athena had gone abroad with Zaden. Maybe Zaden would find a way to fix things. By now, people around the room were starting to whisper. Athena still hadn't shown up, and the crowd was getting restless. Most of them assumed the same thing: she must have been too scared to come. After all, Maya had been posting those videos of Athena nonstop to stir up attention. Everyone believed the same story: Athena failed her stimulation surgery and couldn't bear to face anyone. Maya smiled smugly, convinced Athena wouldn't dare to show up. In her mind, Athena was already a joke, a name everyone would laugh at. But then, out of nowhere, Athena appeared. Maya froze, her breath catching in her throat. For a second, she thought she was seeing a ghost. Athena walked straight toward her, calm and confident, every step echoing in the silent room. When Athena finally stopped in front of her, Maya's voice trembled. "A–Athena, why are you here?" Athena let out a mocking smile. "Professor Rice, that's a strange question. If I'm not supposed to be here, then where else should I be?"Her tone was calm but sharp, cutting through Maya's fake composure like a blade. And in that moment, Athena was certain that her visa problem had been Maya's doing. The woman had actually tried to trap her overseas. Yet here Maya was, pretending to be surprised. How shameless. Still, that reaction said it all. Maya was terrified of her. Only fear could make someone go this far to stop another person from standing on the same stage. "You were supposed to be stuck overseas ... " Maya caught herself mid-sentence, clamping her mouth shut before she said too much. Damn it! How did Athena manage to get back? Did Zaden helped her? Maya's eyes shifted toward the man standing behind Athena, filled with hurt and frustration. Had Zaden really forgotten everything we once had? Why is he helping Athena? Athena curved her lips into a cold smile. "Oh? How did you know I was held up overseas? Seems like you know a lot about my situation. Are you the one behind it?" Maya froze, speechless. If she denied it, she'd look guilty. But admitting it was impossible. Her gaze turned pitiful as she looked toward Preston, silently asking for help. Normally, when Preston handled something, there were never mistakes. Preston's expression didn't change. His voice was calm and detached. "Accidents happen all the time." That was all he said. Maya couldn't bring herself to doubt him, so she reluctantly accepted his explanation.Still, even if Athena had managed to return, that didn't mean she'd succeed in conducting the surgery. Maya would make sure Athena never got that chance.