Ariana was furious the moment she heard what Kevin said. "Didn't you hear what I just told you?" she snapped at Kevin. "I want Athena to treat me! Step aside, now!" Kevin had seen difficult patients before, but Ariana's temper was on another level. No wonder Athena had trouble dealing with her. He was an experienced doctor and usually had ways to manage demanding patients, but Ariana was one of the Rices. Even if he had a dozen strategies, none of them would work on her. Ariana quickly realized that this doctor hadn't come on his own. Someone must have arranged for him to replace Athena. Her experience told her exactly what was going on. Her voice turned cold. "Who removed Athena from my case?" Kevin hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Mrs. Ariana, it was Mr. Storm's decision. Mr. Storm asked me to take over your treatment." He was more than happy to throw this mess to Zaden. Let Zaden deal with Ariana—that was a battle between equals. Kevin wanted no part in it. Ariana let out a scoff. "I see! I was wondering who was behind this. So it was Zaden! That little brat! How dare he pull tricks behind my back? He clearly doesn't take me seriously." Still seething, she glared at Kevin. "Fine, I understand. You can leave now. I don't need you here." Relieved, Kevin nearly sighed aloud. He hadn't wanted to take Ariana on in the first place. If he could hand her back to Athena, he'd gladly do it.Since she was letting him go, he told Ariana, "Then I'll take my leave." Once he was gone, the room fell silent again. Ariana gritted her teeth and muttered angrily, "Clara, did you see that? When Zaden was still with Maya, he treated me with respect. And now? He's taking another woman's side!" Clara hurried to calm her down. "Maybe there's been some misunderstanding. Wouldn't it be better to get to the bottom of it first?" "Misunderstanding? There's no misunderstanding here!" Ariana snapped. Then she pointed toward the door and said sharply, "Go call Zaden right now. Tell him I want to see him!" Zaden hadn't left the hospital at all, so it didn't take long for him to arrive at her ward. He pushed the door open and greeted her politely. "Mrs. Ariana, I heard you wanted to see me. What's wrong?" Ariana glared at him. "I heard you changed my attending doctor!" she said, clearly displeased. Zaden smiled. "Mrs. Ariana, didn't you say you disliked Athena? Since that's the case, I thought I'd spare you the trouble and assign you someone else. This way, you won't have to see anyone you don't want to see." Ariana scoffed. "Who said that? I want her back! Right now! Do you hear me?" She didn't care how unreasonable her demand sounded. She gave the order as if she were still in charge. Zaden couldn't be bothered by that. "Mrs. Ariana, Athena is my wife. You hurt her. I don't want her to be hurt again, so I've reassigned her. I hope you can understand." With one hand in his pocket, he looked at her and continued, "Whatever happened between Maya and me is in the past. Whatever misunderstandings there were, they no longer matter. Now, I only want to spend my life with Athena." Those words sounded like a declaration. Over the past few days, Zaden had made up his mind. No matter whose child Teri truly was—Maya's or anyone else's—he wouldn't go back. He had chosen Athena, and that was final. So if Ariana was mistreating Athena because of Maya, he wasn't going to let it continue. When Ariana heard that Athena had been injured, a flicker of guilt passed through her. She had already been feeling uneasy, and Clara's earlier comfort had only barely soothed her. Now, Zaden's words brought that guilt flooding back. "Fine, fine," she said at last, muttering under her breath. "It was my fault this time. I promise I won't hurt her again. Now bring her back, will you?" Zaden frowned, his tone firm. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Ariana. I can't do that." Ariana's expression darkened. "What will it take for you to bring her back?" she demanded impatiently. Zaden raised an eyebrow. "Why do you insist on having Athena treat you? Any doctor can help you just as well. Why must it be her?" He couldn't help but wonder if Ariana's insistence was tied to Maya. If that was the reason, then he was even more determined not to let Athena go back.