Preston reached out and gently patted Maya's head. "It's fine," he said softly. Then, without showing any emotion, he changed the topic. "So, what do you think are Athena's chances of success in this surgery?" Maya immediately forgot about everything else. She gave a cold laugh. "Athena can barely hold a scalpel. I'd say her chances are less than five percent!" After saying that, she quickly pulled out her phone and showed Preston a video of Athena's previous work. "Look at this, Preston. She's hopeless! Tsk! Tsk!" Maya's face was full of pride and disdain. Kit stood quietly beside them. He glanced at Preston, then looked away, his expression thoughtful. He knew Preston better than Maya ever could. From Preston's reactions and words just now, Kit could tell Preston had definitely helped Athena. But why? He couldn't figure it out. Still, he was sure that Preston had come to the hospital today because of Athena. Kit decided not to tell Maya. It would only upset her. As Preston and Maya continued watching the video, Kit quietly walked away. He needed to find Athena. He had to know why she didn't come to him for help. Were they really drifting apart? A little later, he caught up with Athena in the hallway. Kate was talking to Zaden elsewhere, leaving Athena alone. Kit took the chance, his tone soft and almost pitiful as he asked, "Athena, when you were in trouble, why didn't you come to me?"Athena was still sorting through her files when she heard Kit's voice. She glanced at him, her tone calm but a little helpless. "If I had waited for your help," she said, "I'd still be stuck there. I wouldn't even be standing here today." She knew Kit was capable. He could've helped her if the situation weren't so urgent. But back then, it was too late for long-distance help. Besides, Zaden had already stepped in. It would've been awkward to ask another man for help. Zaden might've thought she didn't trust him to handle it. Kit sighed, finally accepting her explanation, though not without a hint of disappointment. At least she hadn't shut him out entirely; Athena had just chosen not to ask him this time. Still, he couldn't hide his frustration. "Ever since you got yourself a man," he grumbled, "you've been pushing me away! But I was your favorite person before him!" Athena couldn't help but laugh. Before she got together with Zaden, she and Kit had been close friends. But after the issues with Patricia, she'd started to distance herself from the Rices. Even though she still had a good impression of Kit, things weren't like they used to be. But hearing what he said now, she couldn't help but laugh a little. Currently, though, Kit looked like a kid begging for attention, and it almost made her smile. "You know exactly why I had to keep my distance," she said helplessly. That shut him up. He knew his mother couldn't stand Athena. Maya had joined her team; his sister even told him to pursue Athena to stir trouble. The whole idea was ridiculous. Kit pondered the whole situation; he leaned forward and whispered in her ears. "Let me tell you a secret. Maya asked me to chase you. So if I ever do something stupid, don't take it seriously. I'm just playing along. Treat it like a joke." "What?" Athena exclaimed. "You're supposed to chase me?" Before Kit could reply, the door opened; Zaden had returned. The air instantly grew awkward. Athena straightened her papers, forcing a polite smile. "Got it. You should go now. I need to prep for surgery." Kit was clearly reluctant to leave, but eventually, he walked away obediently. Athena turned to Zaden with a faint smile. "Done speaking with the professor? I've finished up here too. We can head back soon." But Zaden frowned slightly. His gaze lingered on her face as he asked, "You and Kit seem pretty close, don't you?" He had never asked about her relationship with Kit before. Back then, even Harriet had joked about Kit being his love rival, but Zaden hadn't thought much of it. Now, though, things felt different. There were too many men keeping their eyes on Athena, including Preston. Preston had the power to block her return and then suddenly clear the way again. Wasn't that his way of getting her attention? And Kit ... well, the way he'd spoken earlier hadn't helped either. Zaden couldn't quite explain it, but something inside him felt off—tight and unsettled. When his expression darkened, Athena instantly realized what was going on. He must've overheard Kit's teasing words earlier. The truth was, very few people knew about her connection with Fabio. And she didn't plan to rely on the Rices in the future.