Zaden quickly removed his jacket, trying to press it against her continuously bleeding wound. Those hands that commanded the business world with unwavering confidence now shook uncontrollably. He suddenly looked up at the subdued thugs, his eyes cold as ice. His voice squeezed through clenched teeth. "Who sent you?" The scar-faced man trembled under his gaze and instinctively confessed. "It was ... it was Maya from the Rices ... she paid us ... " Maya! That name completely ignited all the fury and murderous intent in Zaden's heart! He never imagined Maya would do such a thing! "Good." Zaden's voice became calm instead, yet more terrifying than his earlier roar. Maya had come after Athena time and time again. He'd never intervened, not out of any lingering sentiment toward her, but because he'd seen Athena wanted to handle Maya herself. So he'd let Athena deal with it on her own terms. He never expected to leave behind such a huge threat. It was his fault! Zaden carefully lifted the semi-conscious Athena into his arms. He threw a command at his assistant following close behind. "Turn these men over to the police for special attention!" "As for Maya ... " He paused, a bloodthirsty glint flashing through his eyes. "Bring her to me immediately. I want to see her personally! She'll never see the sun outside prison walls again for the rest of her life!" Then, as if holding the world's most precious and fragile treasure, he walked steadily up the slope step by step.... Outside the county hospital operating room, the red light glared harshly. Zaden stood in the corridor like a cold statue, Athena's blood still staining his clothes. Rowan watched him from the side with concern in his eyes. He wanted to suggest Zaden change his clothes first, but knew he wouldn't. After all, Athena wasn't out of danger yet. Zaden's face showed no expression, and the oppressive aura surrounding him made every passing medical staff hold their breath and keep their distance. Time crawled by second by agonizing second. Finally, the operating room doors opened. The doctor emerged looking exhausted but with a trace of relief. "Mr. Storm, thank goodness! Ms. Hall's kidney ruptured from the impact to her lower back, but fortunately she was brought in very quickly." Hearing this, Zaden's furrowed brow relaxed. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, the doctor continued. "However, she has multiple bleeding points and has lost a lot of blood. We're having trouble stopping it completely, and Ms. Hall has as an uncommon blood type. We're just a county hospital. We don't have the same blood bank inventory as the big city hospitals." Zaden's tense body swayed almost imperceptibly. His expression darkened. "Do everything you can to save her. As for the blood issue, I'll arrange to have some transferred from elsewhere." The doctor was clearly relieved as well. "Yes, Mr. Storm." The doctor could relax a bit now. That blood situation had really been giving him a headache! ... Just then, Rowan's phone rang. He stepped aside to answer it, then his expression turned grim as he spoke in low tones. After hanging up, he walked to Zaden's side. He lowered his voice. "Mr. Storm, Maya has been brought in." Zaden's eyes went cold in an instant. ... In an unused storage room at the hospital, Maya's face showed absolute terror as two men in black suits watched her. She looked extremely frightened. "Who are you people? Do you know who I am? How dare you touch me! If my brother and father find out, they'll never let you get away with this!" "My brother is Preston. I'm the Rices' daughter!" Fearing these people would harm her, Maya immediately revealed her identity. However, these men's faces showed no reaction whatsoever. They looked completely indifferent. Seeing this, Maya became even more panicked. They knew her identity but showed no hesitation. Perhaps they'd come specifically for her. Did they want money or something worse? Thinking of that latter possibility, her face twisted with fear. Just then, the door opened. Zaden walked in. He didn't even approach. He simply stood in the doorway, looking at her coldly, his gaze as if viewing a piece of disgusting trash.Seeing him, Maya first froze, then clutched at him like a lifeline. She threw herself to the floor, tears and snot streaming down her face as she wailed. "Zaden, you came to save me? Quick, arrest these people! Throw every single one of them in jail!" Her voice was shrill and pitiful, utterly convinced Zaden would help her. Zaden looked at her coldly. "I'm the one who had you brought here." Maya's voice caught. Her eyes widened as she stared at Zaden, seemingly unable to believe what he'd just said. He was the one who had her brought here? Why? "Zaden ... " "You hired those thugs to hurt Athena, didn't you?" Zaden stated the facts coldly. Maya shuddered, immediately realizing her actions had been discovered.