By the end of it, Trina was in tears. Maya knew she had reached her goal. She said softly, "Yes, it's not too late to change your mind. The surgery hasn't started yet, and no forms are signed. You can still back out." Hearing that, Trina suddenly seemed to know what to do. She grabbed Maya's hand and said, "Professor Rice, thank you for telling me this. We've decided to cancel tomorrow's surgery. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you said." Trina stood firm on her decision. She would no longer let Athena perform the operation. Maya's lips curved into a faint smile. Athena, don't blame me. You brought this on yourself. After finishing what she came to do, Maya quietly turned and left the hospital. Meanwhile, Athena had no idea what Maya had done behind her back. She had already reviewed the patient's medical records and made a plan for the surgery. When she got home that evening, Teri ran up to her. "Mom, are you doing a surgery tomorrow? You have to win! Don't let that mean lady get her way!" Athena couldn't help laughing. "And who told you about that?" Without hesitation, Teri betrayed Harriet. Athena sighed—of course it was her chatty friend—but she was curious about what Teri really thought. She pulled her daughter into the room and asked, "Teri, do you not like that lady?" "I don't like her at all! I only like you, Mom!" Teri said firmly. Athena felt her heart warm, though she tried not to show it. "But she likes your dad a lot. She might want to be your new mom.""No way! I only have one mom, and that's you!" As soon as she finished, Teri wrapped her little arms tightly around Athena's neck, holding on like she never wanted to let go. Athena couldn't breathe. Teri's arms were wrapped so tightly around her neck that she thought she might pass out. It was clear that the little girl truly didn't like Maya at all. After a bit of coaxing, Athena finally got her to let go and managed to rescue her poor neck. Since Athena had a big surgery scheduled for the next day, Zaden had been thoughtful enough to have a cook prepare dinner that evening. After preparing the meal, the woman quietly left, leaving the three of them alone. They ate together in warm, peaceful harmony. For a moment, it felt like they were a real family. When dinner was over, Teri volunteered to help Athena wash the dishes. Athena's heart melted. The little girl was so sweet and considerate. She couldn't help thinking of Dion. Back then, whenever they finished eating, he'd toss his plate aside or order her to wash it for him. Now that she had left Dion, maybe that loss would finally teach him to grow up. After cleaning up, it was time for bed. Zaden, who had recently reconciled with Athena after their small argument overseas, was hoping to sleep beside her again. Back when they'd fought, Athena had been so mad that she booked her own room for two whole days. They only made up the day they flew back home. Tonight, though, as soon as Zaden hinted that he wanted to share a bed, Teri clung to Athena's leg like a koala and wouldn't let go. "Sleep with me, Mommy!" she insisted, tugging Athena toward her room.Zaden brows furrowed tightly as he watched his spot beside Athena disappear, taken over by a very determined little girl. Teri looked at her dad seriously and said, "Dad! Mom has an important surgery tomorrow. You'll bother her if she doesn't rest. So tonight, Mom's sleeping with me! I'll be a good girl and won't bother her." Zaden had no words. Athena couldn't help but smile when she heard that. She never thought Teri would dislike her dad this much. Athena waved at Zaden and said with a teasing grin, "Looks like I'm sleeping with Teri tonight. You're on your own." Before he could respond, she scooped Teri into her arms and headed for the kid's room. Zaden stared at the closed door, rubbing his temples with a long sigh. Right now, he and his wife hadn't even gotten that far yet, but Teri was already competing with him for her attention. Once he finally got a taste of what it was like to have Athena to himself. If Teri started fighting him, that would be pure torture. ... That night, after Athena put Teri to sleep, she sat on the edge of the bed and checked her phone. Her expression darkened the moment she saw Maya's latest Instagram post, a photo that looked like it was taken during surgery. The caption read, "Some skills are natural. You can't fake them with a fancy certificate abroad." She didn't even need to think to know it was about her. Under the post, Maya's fans were flooding the comments. [Professor Rice must be talking about Athena!][Totally! Did you see her simulation videos? What a joke. Going abroad doesn't change the fact that she's useless.] Athena's hand tightened around her phone. Maya was playing dirty again—and this time, the whole internet was watching.