The reporters had already started to doubt Maya, thinking she had fabricated the video to make Athena look incompetent, then used it to smear her. But now, the truth had come out. "Professor Rice, was the video you released about Athena fabricated?" "Did you fake it because you didn't want Athena to pass this assessment?" "Professor Rice, can you say a few words?" Questions came flying at Maya from every direction, leaving her completely speechless. Even if she denied it now, no one would believe her. And even if she claimed Roxanne gave her the video, she had no proof, and no one would wait for her to find any! ... Inside the surveillance room, Athena saw the chaos outside and how Maya was surrounded by reporters. She felt as if she had fallen straight into hell earlier, thinking she was doomed, yet suddenly everything turned around. Her heart was racing uncontrollably. She had originally planned to announce her overseas assessment results after the surgery, so who had leaked them? Athena glanced again at the account that posted the video. It was just an ordinary marketing account, showing no signs of who was behind it. Could it have been Zaden? But she quickly dismissed that thought. If it were Zaden, he would have told her right away. However, he had not said a single word earlier, and it seemed like he truly did not know anything about it. So whoever did it, it had to be someone else!Who could it be? Athena frowned, feeling frustrated. She never expected that a simple test score could stir up such a storm. If people ever found out that she was Athena, what kind of earthquake would that cause? Just then, Zaden walked in from outside. When he saw on the surveillance screen that Maya was trapped by reporters, Athena curved her lips slightly and teased, "Seeing your charming ex-girlfriend in such a mess—doesn't it make you want to play the hero and save her?" Zaden's face stayed calm. Without hesitation, he replied, "No." He reached out, wrapped an arm around Athena's waist, and pulled her into his embrace. "If that were you, I'd rush in without a second thought," he said softly. "But Maya has nothing to do with me anymore." Athena had only been joking. She looked toward the old woman anxiously tugging at Maya's arm and could not help but ask, "That patient seems to regret it. Can't you give her another chance?" Zaden's expression turned cold. "Everyone has to face the consequences of their own actions. Since she's lost all credibility, even if she regrets it now, she'll have to bear the results herself." Hearing that, Athena felt his words made perfect sense. It reminded her of Lewis—he regretted what he had done, but so what? People always have to pay for their mistakes. Zaden tightened his arms around her and said, "I've already found another patient. They've agreed to let you be the lead surgeon. You just focus on the operation and leave everything else to me." Athena nodded. With Zaden's capability, only he could make something like that happen in such a short time. Soon, Athena began the surgery. The new patient Zaden found was a child from an orphanage. After all the preoperative consent forms were signed, the operation officially began. Once Athena confirmed everything was ready, she took a deep breath and stepped into the operating room. The lights above came on bright and steady. Outside, Zaden waited patiently by the door. Then came the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned and saw Preston. Zaden straightened and looked at him coolly. "Was it you who posted the video of Athena's overseas assessment?" Though it sounded like a question, Zaden's tone was firm, as if he already knew it was him. Preston's lips curved into a faint smile. "And what if it was? What if it wasn't? Either way, Athena is already in the operating room, and that's what matters, isn't it?" Seeing Preston's evasive tone, Zaden's brows furrowed. No man would treat a woman so well without a reason—he either wanted something, or there was another motive. A flicker of cold light flashed in Zaden's eyes. Preston did not bother arguing further, as he was watching the surgery feed intently. After all, this surgery was the bet between Athena and Maya. Since Athena's public image had not been great before, she suddenly made a bold choice to livestream the entire operation.