Her Rise 306

Athena felt reassured by Zaden’s careful handling of their travel plans as they prepared to leave the hotel for the airport. However, their smooth journey was abruptly disrupted when airport officials informed them of an issue with Athena’s visa and passport, preventing her from boarding the flight. Confused and frustrated, Athena and Zaden quickly realized that her documents had been tampered with, suggesting deliberate sabotage. As the crowd grew impatient behind them, Zaden calmly took control, instructing Athena to wait while he contacted his network to resolve the problem.

While waiting, Athena accidentally bumped into a tall man named Mr. Rice, whose reaction hinted at recognition and a mysterious past connection. His assistant suspected Athena of trying to get close to Mr. Rice intentionally, but Mr. Rice’s whispered mention of “Serena,” a legendary surgeon who had disappeared years ago, revealed a deeper intrigue. He immediately ordered his assistant to gather information on Athena, indicating that her presence was unexpected and significant.

Meanwhile, Preston was preparing to return home, receiving a warm call from his sister Maya, who expressed relief at his return and concern over their family’s fragile state. Maya’s bitterness surfaced as she revealed her rivalry with Athena, who had won over the man Maya desired and even influenced their father toward divorce. Maya saw Preston as a key ally in her efforts to confront Athena and regain control.

As Preston boarded his flight, Maya pressed him about dealing with the woman causing her trouble, reminding him of a task he had nearly forgotten. This set the stage for further conflict and tension surrounding Athena’s complicated relationships and the challenges she faces as she tries to rise above betrayal and adversity.

From Betrayal to Brilliance: Her Rise to a New Life

Chapter 306: Trouble at the Airport

Athena felt a quiet satisfaction with the way Zaden had handled everything so far. His careful planning and attention to detail gave her a sense of ease she hadn’t experienced in a long time. With a playful smile, she said, “Alright then, thank you, Mr. Storm.” Her teasing tone made Zaden raise a curious eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

After finishing their breakfast, the hotel had arranged a van to take them to the airport. The atmosphere was bustling and noisy, with travelers rushing about and announcements echoing through the terminals. The crowd was thick that day, and the line to check in seemed to stretch endlessly. When their turn finally came, the airport staff suddenly informed them there was an issue with Athena’s visa and passport. According to the officials, she was unable to leave the country.

Athena’s brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. Everything had gone smoothly when she arrived—how could there suddenly be a problem now? Her heart began to race as she glanced at Zaden, whose expression darkened instantly. He spoke quickly and fluently in the local language, demanding to know exactly what was wrong with her documents.

But the staff member just shook his head, seemingly unable or unwilling to understand Zaden’s questions. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said firmly. “There’s an issue with her papers. She cannot board the flight.”

Athena felt a wave of shock wash over her. A cold shiver ran down her spine. The timing was too precise, too perfect to be a mere coincidence. Was someone deliberately sabotaging her?

Zaden’s eyes narrowed as he quickly pieced it together. Someone had tampered with Athena’s documents. Behind them, the line of passengers grew longer and more restless. Those waiting didn’t know what was happening; they only saw Athena and Zaden blocking the counter and started to show signs of impatience.

Without hesitation, Zaden took Athena’s hand gently and pulled her aside. “Go sit over there and wait for me,” he said in a calm, steady voice. “I’ll handle this.”

Athena nodded silently, trusting him completely, and moved to a nearby bench. She watched as Zaden pulled out his phone and immediately called Tommy, instructing him to investigate the problem without delay and to use every connection he had to resolve the issue. When Tommy’s efforts didn’t yield results fast enough, Zaden insisted on meeting the airport director personally.

As he strode away with purpose, Athena couldn’t help but release a quiet sigh. Despite the tension, his calm demeanor and unwavering confidence filled her with a deep sense of security. It felt as though no matter what challenges the world threw at them, Zaden could handle them all.

A faint smile curved her lips—half helpless, half comforted.

Just then, she accidentally bumped into a tall man. He quickly steadied her by the shoulder and asked politely, “Sorry, are you okay?”

When their eyes met, the man’s pupils constricted slightly, a flicker of recognition passing through his gaze.

“I’m fine,” Athena replied quickly, brushing off the moment. “I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” She offered him a brief, polite smile before turning to walk away.

The man’s assistant, who had witnessed the encounter, frowned in suspicion and stepped forward. “Mr. Rice, did that woman bump into you on purpose?” he asked quietly.

It wasn’t unusual for women to orchestrate such accidents just to get close to his boss.

The assistant immediately assumed Athena was one of those opportunists.

Mr. Rice’s brows knit together deeply as he muttered under his breath, his eyes drifting away as if chasing a sudden, distant memory. “Serena…”

The assistant blinked in surprise. “What?”

“She’s Serena,” Mr. Rice said slowly, his voice a mix of disbelief and awe. “The legendary surgeon who vanished years ago. I can’t believe she’s really here.” His expression hardened. “Find out everything you can about her. I want a full report in ten minutes.”

“Understood, Mr. Rice!” the assistant replied, hurrying off to carry out the order. Meanwhile, Mr. Rice remained standing there, eyes still fixed on Athena as though she were a long-lost secret resurfacing from the past.

Just then, the sharp ring of a phone interrupted his thoughts. Preston blinked, shaking himself back to reality, and answered, “Hello?”

“Preston! You’re coming back today, right? I’ll head to the airport to pick you up!” A warm, familiar voice came through the line. Preston’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Yeah,” he said gently. “I’m boarding soon.”

On the other end, Maya let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness you’re finally coming home! If you stayed away any longer, our family might have fallen apart!”

Preston chuckled softly. His sister was always a bit dramatic.

Their parents’ marriage wasn’t a fairy tale, but it wasn’t crumbling either. They had always maintained a quiet respect for each other. Besides, they had three kids to keep things grounded.

But Maya’s words carried more than just worry—they were laced with bitterness. Since returning home, everything had gone downhill for her.

The man she desired was now taken by Athena.

Even Kit seemed to be siding with Athena. Their father was leaning the same way.

He had even spoken about divorcing their mother because of Athena. That woman had turned their entire family upside down.

Now, Maya and Athena were officially enemies.

Preston was the strongest and most capable among them all.

If he came back and helped Maya, she believed she could finally get rid of Athena for good.

“Preston,” Maya’s voice softened into a plea, “about that woman who’s been causing me trouble—did you take care of her like I asked?”

Preston hesitated for a moment, realizing he had almost forgotten the person Maya had told him to deal with a few days ago.

This chapter delicately captures the tension and uncertainty that often accompany moments of unexpected crisis. Athena’s calm trust in Zaden’s strength and resourcefulness contrasts with the sudden chaos surrounding her, highlighting the deep bond between them. Despite the external challenges, their connection remains a source of comfort and resilience, underscoring the theme of unwavering support in the face of adversity.

At the same time, the reemergence of Serena’s identity and the brewing family conflicts add layers of complexity to the narrative. The intertwining of past secrets and present struggles reminds us that personal histories and relationships are never simple, but they shape the paths the characters must navigate. This chapter leaves us poised between hope and tension, reflecting the ongoing journey of rising above betrayal toward a new, uncertain brilliance.

Next chapter promises to deepen the intrigue surrounding Athena’s sudden travel complications, revealing just how far her enemies might go to thwart her progress. As Zaden confronts the tangled web of sabotage, his resourcefulness will be tested in ways that could shift the balance of power between them and those who wish Athena harm. The tension at the airport is only the beginning, and every move now carries higher stakes and hidden dangers.

Meanwhile, the unexpected encounter with Mr. Rice hints at buried pasts and secrets waiting to resurface, adding layers of mystery to Athena’s journey. The mention of Serena, a name charged with legend and loss, suggests that old wounds and unresolved histories will soon collide with the present, stirring emotions that could change everything. As Maya’s bitterness grows and alliances shift within the family, the lines between friend and foe blur, setting the stage for emotional confrontations and difficult choices ahead.

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.