Everyone around them was stunned by Maya's demand. Her challenge sounded way too extreme. Even though the medical checkup would only take half a day, having three days to prepare still felt comfortable. But cutting it down to just one day? That would put anyone under massive pressure. Could Athena really handle it? Would she even agree to such a challenge? Just when the crowd started to think Maya had gone too far, Athena nodded calmly. "Alright," she said, looking straight at Maya. "I'll do it in one day. But I have a condition too—let's make a bet. I wonder if you have the courage to accept it, Professor Rice." Maya's face darkened instantly. How dare Athena challenge me? Is she out of her mind? Maya asked warily, "What do you want?" "If I win," Athena said, her voice calm but sharp, "you'll admit everything you did—blocking me from coming back, stealing my surgery footage, leaking it online, and every other dirty trick you pulled. You'll apologize to me in public." Her cold eyes locked onto Maya as she spoke, exposing every secret without hesitation. The room fell silent. Maya's face went pale, then red with fury. No one had ever dared to call her out like this, especially not in front of everyone. Her hands trembled, and her chest rose and fell rapidly with anger. "What's wrong, Professor Rice?" Athena asked with a faint smirk. "Afraid I might actually win?" That mocking look in Athena's eyes made Maya grind her teeth so hard it almost hurt. "Fine!" she snapped. "I accept your bet!"There was no way Athena could win. Not a chance. With this thought in mind, Maya finally managed a smile. Her anger was fading just a little. Both sides made their bets, and the challenge was officially on. People nearby had already started recording, and within minutes the video spread through the hospital's group chat. Somehow, it didn't stop there; it made its way online. Soon, the internet was full of mockery aimed at Athena. Everyone was calling her arrogant, saying she was a doctor who couldn't even hold a scalpel steady. Yet she still dared to talk big. Athena ignored all the noise. She didn't have time to waste on gossip. She was here to get everything ready for tomorrow's surgery. That was her focus. She turned toward her office. Zaden followed closely behind. Maya's chest tightened when she saw him leave with Athena. She couldn't stop herself. Maya stepped forward and blocked Zaden's path and asked in a hurtful voice, "Zaden, it was you, wasn't it? You took Athena overseas for secret training. You're the one who helped her come back safely, right? Why would you do that to me?" Her eyes shimmered with hurt. She just couldn't understand what made Athena so special and why Zaden would go all out for her. There was a time when Zaden adored her. They were the golden couple in their social circle. Everyone said so. She'd made one mistake, taken a wrong turn, but didn't she deserve another chance? Zaden glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable. He didn't deny the first part, but his lips curved faintly as he replied, "If you want to know why Athena got help, maybe you should ask your brother why he decided to back her." At that moment, Preston and Kit happened to walk up from behind. Preston caught Zaden's words; though his brow arched slightly, he didn't look guilty in the least. For a brief second, Zaden and Preston locked eyes. Two men, both powerful and calm, standing face-to-face. The air between them thickened, heavy with tension, like invisible smoke before a storm. Maya's eyes widened in shock at Zaden's words. She turned toward Preston, unable to believe what she'd just heard. Did Preston really help Athena? She didn't want to accept it, but the fact that Athena had returned unharmed spoke for itself. If Preston hadn't stepped in, how else could Athena have made it back? As for Zaden—Maya knew him too well. He wasn't the kind of man who lied or denied what he'd done. That meant what he said was probably true. Just as she turned back to question him, Zaden had already left, walking away beside Athena. Frustrated, Maya turned back to Preston. "Preston, was Zaden telling the truth? Did you really help Athena?" She could hardly bear the thought. Maya felt like Athena had taken everything from her. If even her brother, the one who'd always protected her, had switched sides, she would completely lose it. Preston sighed, looking helpless. "Maya, do you really believe everything Zaden says?" Hearing Preston's words, Maya's heart wavered again. She reminded herself to trust the people closest to her. Maybe Zaden had only said those things to drive a wedge between her and her brother and make her lose the one person still on her side. Maya quickly grabbed Preston's arm and forced a smile. "Preston, I'm sorry," she said softly. "I shouldn't have doubted you."