Jealousy and resentment corroded Maya's heart like venom day and night. She absolutely could not sit idly by and watch Athena live happily! She would make Athena pay! Through back channels, Maya contacted some local thugs with connections in the Southwest. Finally, with a hefty payment, she bribed several idle, reckless hooligans near Stoneville. Her instructions were vicious and clear, "Give that woman named Athena a lesson she'd never forget. And slash her face!" Let's see her turn into an ugly freak. Then we'll see if Zaden still wants her. We'll see if her brothers still favor Athena! Maya's lips curled into a pleased smile as she thought about her plan. ... Athena's car stopped some distance away from the entrance to Stoneville. The mountain road was narrow and difficult for vehicles to navigate. The two bodyguards flanked Athena protectively as they carefully walked along a dirt path toward the village. The village entrance was eerily quiet, with only a few sporadic dog barks and distant bird calls from the mountains. The fog swirled around them, making everything seem hazy and unreal. Athena stopped in her tracks, gazing at the low houses hidden among the green trees. Her heart tightened. Could her child be here? Just then, chaos erupted without warning.There were four or five figures that suddenly burst out from the trees nearby, each wielding clubs or machetes, their faces vicious as they charged directly at them. Their evil eyes stared straight at Athena. The scene almost made Athena recall the time she'd rescued Lewis. She couldn't help but freeze in place, feeling her whole body turn cold. "Ms. Hall, watch out!" The bodyguards reacted instantly, immediately shielding Athena behind them. At the same time, the others moved forward to grapple with the attackers. These thugs had clearly come prepared, their moves cunning and vicious, and they had the advantage in numbers. Though the two bodyguards were professionals, they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. They were quickly tied up in the fight. A man with a scar across his face seized the opportunity to break through the defense. His eyes flashed with lecherous cruelty as the knife in his hand slashed straight toward Athena's face! "You bitch! This is what you get for crossing the wrong people!" Athena's pupils shrank. Her intense survival instinct unleashed astonishing potential. She jerked backward. The sharp blade grazed past her cheek, leaving a burning pain and a few strands of hair cut off. She was too scared to think. She turned and ran down the dense slope beside the road. Her shoes sank into the mud. She simply kicked them off and ran barefoot across the rugged, rocky slope. The wind roared in her ears along with her own heartbeat and the increasingly close sound of the thugs cursing as they chased her. The branches and thorns tore through her clothes and skin, leaving trails of blood. She felt no pain, having only one thought—run! She couldn't let them catch her! Suddenly, her foot slipped! She'd stepped on loose stone. Her entire body lost balance. With a cry, she tumbled down the steep slope. Everything spun as her body crashed into countless hard objects and sharp rocks. Finally, her lower back slammed hard into a protruding rock. A heart-wrenching pain consumed her entire body! "Ah!" She cried out in pain. She curled up at the bottom of the slope, unable to move. The warm, sticky liquid rapidly spread beneath her, staining the dead leaves and dirt red. Blood! So much blood! The pursuing thugs slid down as well and froze for a moment at the sight. The scar-faced man cursed, seemingly not expecting things to get this serious. But seeing Athena's pale face, her body curled in agony, and that continuously flowing blood, the murderous glint returned to his eyes as he gripped his knife and approached again. Maya's orders were to slash her face. The job wasn't finished yet! Just then, a shout rang out. "Athena!" A string of curses and desperate shouts rolled down the hill from Zaden. He was spitting mad and scared out of his wits, all at the same time. The scar-faced man stopped. He hesitated, unsure whether to leave or complete the job. The thug's hesitation cost him. Then Zaden was there, cutting through the chaos. Athena couldn't tell if he was heaven-sent or was finally pulled straight out of a hellhole. Carrying a towering rage and bone-chilling killing intent, he charged straight down the steep slope. He didn't even spare a glance at the thugs. His eyes held only that fragile figure lying in a pool of blood, curled into a ball. Behind him were professional security personnel following swiftly.In an instant, they pinned the thugs who hadn't yet reacted to the ground and disarmed them, their movements efficient and merciless. "Athena! Athena!" Zaden rushed to Athena's side, his knees slamming heavily into the muddy ground. His hands trembled, afraid to touch her. Her face was pale, her breathing weak. The blood beneath her stung his eyes red. "Zaden ... " Athena struggled to open her eyes. Seeing him, a flicker of relief passed through her unfocused gaze, but the excruciating pain made it impossible to say more. "Don't be scared ... Don't be scared ... I'm right here. The medics are coming. Hang in there." Zaden's voice carried an unprecedented panic and hoarseness.