Her Rise 284

In this chapter, Harriet shows her unwavering support for her best friend Athena, expressing confidence in Athena’s ability to defeat Maya. When Harriet learns that Athena has moved into the hospital dorms to avoid the long commute from Zaden’s place, she is surprised but approves of the decision, especially after hearing about the issues between Athena and Zaden. Harriet criticizes Zaden for his actions and advises Athena to keep her distance to make him realize his mistakes, though she cautions against completely cutting him off, warning that Maya might take advantage of the situation.

Athena, while amused by Harriet’s scolding of Zaden, reflects on her own behavior and realizes she may have been too harsh in rejecting Zaden’s gestures. She decides that next time, she will show him a little kindness, balancing firmness with compassion. Meanwhile, Athena is determined to improve her surgical skills after being away from the operating room for a long time. She focuses on practice over theory, hoping to regain her confidence and ability without interference from Maya or others.

That night, as Athena leaves the dorm to continue her training, she is surprised to see Zaden waiting in a black sedan outside. Recognizing the car immediately, she tells her friend Jaylee to go upstairs while she approaches Zaden. Despite the tension between them, Zaden invites Athena to get into the car, setting the stage for a significant encounter late at night.

Chapter 284 Late–Night Encounter

Harriet could hear the confidence in her voice and wasn’t sure what else she could

say.

+8 Pearls

Harriet trusted her friend, so she said, “I’ll take the day off to come cheer you on! I want to watch you crush Maya!”

Athena couldn’t help but laugh too.

Then Harriet added, “By the way, isn’t Zaden’s place pretty far from the hospital? Isn’t that a pain for your commute?”

“I already moved into the hospital dorms,” Athena replied with a calm smile.

Harriet looked surprised. “What? That fast? And Zaden actually agreed to let you do it?”

Only then did Athena realize Harriet still didn’t know what had happened.

So she gave her a quick summary.

When Harriet finished listening, she let out a low curse. “That clueless man! You did the right thing moving out. If you ask me, you should keep your distance and let him stew for a while; make him understand what he did wrong!”

Athena wasn’t angry anymore, so hearing Harriet scold Zaden actually amused her.

She didn’t join in. Athena just smiled and answered softly from time to time.

Harriet had always been that kind of best friend–loyal to a fault.

Even though Zaden was her cousin, whenever he messed up, Harriet never took his side. She always stood firmly with her best friend.

“But listen,” Harriet continued, waving her hand for emphasis, “you can teach him a lesson, sure -but don’t freeze him out completely. If Maya shows up batting her eyelashes, he might just wander off again.”

Harriet went on and on, giving Athena her version of relationship advice.

And surprisingly, Athena found herself agreeing. Maybe Harriet had a point. She couldn’t just be cold all the time. Thinking back on how she’d rejected Zaden’s gift earlier, she realized she might’ve been a little too harsh.

Next time, if he tried something again, she decided she’d show him just a little kindness.

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Athena accepted Maya’s challenge, but she couldn’t let her regular work slide. She still had to make up for all the years she’d been away from surgery, catching up on everything she’d missed while keeping up with her current job.

She didn’t need to study much theory. What mattered now was practice–just her hands, steady and skilled.

Athena’s goal was to brush up on her surgical skills.

Since her hand had healed, she hadn’t done any procedures. She didn’t even know if her needle therapy training still worked or if she could complete an entire surgery on her own.

If only she could find a chance to practice.

Ideally, without Maya or anyone else around. If they found out, it would only make things harder for her.

That night, Athena packed up her things and left the dorm.

She didn’t expect to see a black sedan parked outside the building. Her pupils narrowed. She recognized that car immediately–it was Zaden’s.

She glanced at Jaylee beside her. “Hey, you should go up. I’ve got a friend here—I’ll just say hi.”

Jaylee followed her gaze and spotted the car.

It didn’t take her long to figure it out.

Her boyfriend had shown up!

“No problem! I’ll head up then,” Jaylee said cheerfully before hurrying upstairs.

Once Jaylee was gone, Athena walked toward the car. Through the tinted window, she could see a shadow moving in the back seat.

The window slid down, revealing Zaden’s handsome face.

“Get in,” he said.

This chapter delicately explores the complexities of trust, friendship, and the tentative steps toward reconciliation. Athena’s interaction with Harriet highlights the unwavering support of a true friend, someone who stands by her side without bias and offers heartfelt advice. Through this, Athena begins to soften her stance toward Zaden, realizing that a balance between distance and kindness might be the key to healing the wounds left by past misunderstandings.

The late-night encounter between Athena and Zaden hints at a turning point in their relationship, underscoring the emotional tension that has been building. Athena’s quiet resolve to regain her skills and face challenges head-on mirrors her internal growth, while Zaden’s unexpected arrival suggests a willingness to bridge the gap between them. Together, these moments weave a narrative of hope and cautious optimism, leaving the door open for new beginnings grounded in mutual understanding.

In the next chapter, tensions simmer as Athena faces an unexpected encounter that could change the delicate balance between her and Zaden. The late-night meeting hints at unresolved emotions and unspoken words, setting the stage for a confrontation that is as much about their past as it is about their uncertain future. Readers will be drawn into the charged atmosphere, wondering whether this encounter will heal old wounds or deepen the divide.

Meanwhile, Athena’s determination to regain her surgical skills adds another layer of complexity to her journey. Balancing her professional ambitions with the emotional turmoil surrounding Zaden and Maya promises to test her resilience and resolve. The next chapter will explore how Athena navigates these intertwined challenges, revealing new facets of her character and relationships that will keep readers eager for what comes next.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.