Kate stepped forward from the crowd and pulled Athena into a big hug. She laughed warmly and said, "Athena, congratulations! You've made it through the storm. Now, you're stronger than ever!" For a long time, Athena couldn't return to surgery because of her injured hand. Now that she had finally overcome it, Kate was truly happy for her. Athena smiled and said softly, "Thank you, Professor. I won't let you down." Standing nearby, Maya clenched her fists, unable to hold back her irritation. She suddenly cut in coldly, "Athena, just because you're back from abroad doesn't mean this is over. If you want to return to the surgical department, you have to complete the challenge we agreed on!" Maya smirked and asked with a mocking tone, "So, have you found a patient yet?" She was confident that Athena hadn't. After those videos she'd posted, no one in their right mind would trust Athena with their life on the operating table. That meant Athena was doomed. Once she failed, she'd be finished. The thought made Maya's grin widen. Just then, Barbara walked up from behind. Her voice was sharp and cold. "That's right, Athena. If you can't find a patient willing to let you perform surgery within three days, you lose this challenge, and you'll never step into the surgical wing again!" Maya and Barbara were two of a kind. It didn't take long for them to team up. They shared the same dislike for Athena. Their goal was simple: to drive her out of the hospital for good. Now they stood on the same side, united with one purpose. Both wanted Athena to fail the challenge, to make sure she'd never step into the surgical department again. Maya suddenly softened her tone, pretending to sound kind and understanding. She looked at Athena with a sigh. "Athena," she began gently, "we've seen your stimulation surgery videos from abroad. It's okay to fail. You could still work in the hospital as support or in admin. There's no need to force yourself back into surgery. That would be irresponsible to both yourself and your patients." Then she added, as if offering friendly advice, "Why don't you just admit defeat and end this challenge?" Barbara jumped in right away, praising her. "Professor Rice, you're so kind! If it were up to me, I'd have fired her already. You're willing to let her stay in the hospital? You're so kind." Athena looked at the two women teaming up and didn't rush to respond. She knew her skills were more than enough to shut Maya up. Letting them gloat for now would only make their defeat sting even worse later. When the two finally finished talking, Athena spoke slowly, her tone calm but sharp. "Sorry to disappoint you," she said, a faint smile curving her lips. "I've already found a patient who agreed to let me perform the surgery. So if your plan was to talk me out of it, you might as well keep quiet." Both women froze on the spot. They couldn't believe it. Someone had actually agreed to let Athena, someone who had failed countless times with simulation surgery, operate on them? That was almost impossible. Who would risk their life like that? But looking at Athena's calm, confident expression, they began to doubt themselves. Maybe she wasn't bluffing after all. Maybe someone really had trusted her and was willing to be a guinea pig. Maya's face turned pale. It was the second blow she'd taken today—and it stung even worse than the first. For the first time, she felt truly defeated.If Athena had managed to break through all the obstacles and return from abroad, Zaden must have helped her. Maya's jaw tightened as anger burned hot in her chest. She remembered that video—Athena's hand shaking so badly she couldn't even hold a scalpel steady. Even if she had found a patient, how could she possibly perform the surgery successfully? The more she thought about it, the calmer she felt. Athena wouldn't win. Not a chance. Barbara glanced at Kate and immediately understood. Kate must have been the one who helped Athena find a patient. With Kate's reputation, it made sense that the patient agreed to let Athena operate. Barbara's eyes darted, and she came up with an idea. She didn't show it on her face. Barbara simply said evenly, "Since you've found a patient, the challenge officially begins. Within the next three days, after the examination, you'll proceed with the surgery. If it's successful, you'll win the challenge." Athena agreed calmly, "Alright. Let's wait and see." Maya suddenly cut in. "No way! The surgery has to be done by tomorrow! Who knows what tricks Athena might pull if we give her more time? If you can finish and succeed before tomorrow ends, then you win."