Preston's lips curved into a faint smile. Just then, a loud argument broke out downstairs, snapping him out of his thoughts. He set his glass down on the table and walked toward the noise. In the living room, Fabio and Patricia were in a heated fight, faces flushed with anger. "I'm telling you, divorce is impossible! I'm Mrs. Rice—always will be!" Patricia glared at Fabio, fury burning in her eyes. They were at it again tonight—this time because of Athena. Fabio was worried Athena might not be able to finish tomorrow's surgery. If she failed, public backlash could force her to leave Storm Hospital. To prevent that, he wanted to transfer her to the Rices' private hospital. That facility had originally been built for Desmond's treatment, and its research focused entirely on his condition. However, Patricia had flatly rejected the idea. She was livid, shouting and throwing a tantrum to make Fabio drop the thought. Fabio, equally frustrated, felt that his choices were his own business. The fact that Patricia was trying to control him only made him angrier. So he snapped, "If you don't agree, then let's just get divorced." And that was how the fight escalated. Preston could tell the argument was about Athena. He could not quite figure out why his father was so intent on helping an outsider. Did Fabio already know that Athena was actually Serena, and wanted her to operate on Desmond? As soon as Patricia saw Preston come downstairs, she rushed to him and cried out, "Preston, you came just in time! Look at your father! He's completely lost his mind! He's helping an outsider and even wants to bring her into our hospital! How could he?"I said no, and he threatened me with divorce! Am I really less important than that woman?" Fabio looked uneasy. He had not told anyone in the family about his connection to Athena. Kit had found out by accident, and Fabio had no choice but to come clean with him. Other than Kit, only Patricia knew. Now, being accused like that, he did not know how to explain himself. "I just admire Athena's skills," he said. "We've been looking for a doctor like her. I think she deserves a chance." "Admire her? Have you not seen the video of her failed surgery?" Patricia snapped, her tone sharp. "You've completely lost it!" Her face twisted with mockery as she added coldly, "Don't think I don't know what you're really up to. I don't care what excuse you give—this is not happening." Patricia knew exactly what Fabio wanted: to have Athena acknowledge her Rice bloodline. But Patricia would never let the daughter of a mistress set foot into their family! "Preston, talk some sense into your father!" she pleaded. Preston hesitated for a moment before calmly replying, "Mom, if she's truly capable, letting her join the hospital might not be a bad thing." Both Fabio and Patricia froze. Fabio was surprised his eldest son would actually agree with him. Patricia, on the other hand, was shocked speechless. A moment later, she exploded. "Preston! Do you even know what you're saying? You'd really let that woman into our hospital? Do you even know who she ... " "Enough!" Fabio cut her off sharply, glaring at her as a warning not to reveal Athena's identity.Preston frowned slightly, puzzled. Did his mother also know Athena was Serena? But then, why did she hate her so much? If she knew, shouldn't she be glad Serena could perform Grandpa's surgery? Why oppose it so fiercely? He could not make sense of it, no matter how hard he thought. "Alright, that's enough," Fabio said at last. "Let's drop this. No one mention it again." Worried things might spiral out of control, he ended the argument and walked off to his study. Seeing him leave without bringing up divorce again, Patricia calmed down a little. With her eldest son home, she felt more secure. Even if Fabio kept defending that little wench, she would not be afraid anymore—she had someone on her side. Fabio did not look back as he entered his study, but Preston stood there frowning, a faint unease flickering in his eyes.