Maya thought she should find another way to mend her relationship with Zaden. He was far too cold toward her, so distant that she couldn't even get close. Things couldn't go on like this. When she mentioned her grandmother's hospitalization, Zaden simply said, "I already visited." She hadn't expected him to have already seen Ariana. Now, she had no excuse left to keep the conversation going. Her face darkened as she racked her brain for another reason to approach him. But before she could speak, Zaden said curtly, "I've got to go; something came up." And without another glance, he turned and walked away. Maya's hands clenched tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. Watching his indifferent back retreat down the hall filled her with bitter unwillingness. I swear! I'll win Zaden back one day! Suppressing her anger, Maya walked toward Ariana's ward. When she opened the door and stepped inside, she went straight to the bedside. "Grandma, I'm here." Hearing Maya's voice, Ariana smiled gently. "Maya!" "Grandma, you said you'd stand up for me, right? Have you met Athena yet?" "I did," Ariana replied, her tone soft but uncertain. After a pause, she added, "Maya, Athena doesn't seem to be as bad as you said." Maya's face went pale in an instant. Her brows furrowed as she asked sharply, "Grandma, what do you mean? Did Athena do something to you?" A flicker of panic crossed Maya's heart. Until recently, her grandmother had despised Athena. There was no way she'd ever speak up for her—so why was she defending her now? Something must have happened behind her back. Maya hadn't visited Ariana immediately after the incident because she'd been too busy cleaning up the mess, afraid it might affect her own reputation. But it seemed Athena had taken that chance to slip in and win her grandmother over. Nervous, Maya hurried closer, her tone turning pleading and sweet. "Grandma, why are you saying that? Did Athena tell you something? You mustn't believe her. She's a master at lying!" Ariana sighed softly. "She didn't say anything, Maya. She didn't do anything. That's why I think maybe she isn't as bad as we thought. I treated her terribly these past few days, yet she never held it against me. And when Zaden reassigned her away from me, she even asked to come back." At first, Ariana had truly resented Athena. But after what happened, her opinion of her had shifted. Maya clenched her fists, struggling to stay calm. "Grandma, how can you be swayed so easily? Didn't I tell you already that Athena's good at pretending? Even Mom can't stand her." Her voice grew small, tinted with bitterness. "You're just like Preston. You guys say you're on my side, but in the end, you side with Athena and think she's wonderful. If that's the case, then forget it! I don't need your help anymore!" She made a show of getting up to leave. "Maya, wait—" Ariana, still injured and unable to move freely, panicked at the thought of her granddaughter walking out. In her haste to reach out, she accidentally strained her waist. "Ouch!"Maya wasn't really planning to leave. Hearing her grandmother cry out, she immediately turned back and helped her up. "Grandma, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Ariana quickly took Maya's hand and said, "I didn't mean it like that. Don't be angry. Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure to teach her a lesson for you." At that, Maya's tears instantly gave way to a smile. She leaned against Ariana's shoulder and said softly, "You're the one who loves me the most, Grandma." Maya silently swore to herself that she wouldn't let Ariana change her opinion of Athena. Now that she had no one else she could rely on, her grandmother was the only one left on her side. ... Athena had just finished her final tasks as the workday came to an end. She was tidying up her desk when a knock sounded at the door. Looking up, she saw Zaden leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes fixed on her. She almost forgot that they had agreed to go home together tonight. He'd come right at the end of her shift. She wondered if he had been waiting at the hospital this whole time, instead of going elsewhere. Jaylee spotted Zaden at the door and grinned. "Dr. Hall, Mr. Storm's here! Are you two going on a date? You'd better get going!" A date? What the hell? Athena coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment and said, "I won't be staying in the dorm tonight."