From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172 I Can Handle It

Zaden added, “If you can’t handle it, just let me know anytime.”

“I will.”

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Later that day, Athena got a check–in message from Harriet.

Clearly, she had also seen the drama blowing up online. She asked, “So, who even are Albas and Pandra? I seriously don’t remember them at all.”

Athena snorted. “They tried to frame me during the very first competition and got

knocked out early, so they were barely even on camera. After that, they kept skipping events, or if they did show up, they’d leave pretty quickly.”

“Then you don’t have any beef with them. Why are they smearing you?”

“It must be for some personal gain.”

Honestly, Athena couldn’t think of any other reason.

Harriet replied, “Damn, that’s just low. You really should let Zaden teach them a lesson. Once he taught them a lesson, maybe they’ll finally behave.”

“I don’t need Zaden to step in. I can handle it myself.”

“Fine, I get that you’re capable, but why make things harder on yourself? If you could get help, why not take it?

“Last time you asked Zaden for a favor, he agreed right away. My mom even stopped making me work at the hospital. He’d definitely help you with this, too.”

Athena went quiet.

Honestly, ever since she found out about Zaden’s ex–girlfriend, she didn’t want to rely on him so much anymore.

She figured she might have to leave someday.

The more she depended on him now, the harder it would be to walk away later.

So she thought it’d be better to start pulling back now.

She kept these thoughts to herself, not revealing any of them to Harriet. She just played it cool

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and said, “Zaden is in a whole other league. There’s no need to bring out the big guns just to deal with these small fries.”

“Okay then.” Harriet thought that sounded a little forced, but she didn’t push it. She just said, “If you need anything, I’ve got your back.”

Athena couldn’t help but laugh.

Harriet and Zaden really were cut from the same cloth. Her words echoed his exactly.

She said, “Don’t worry. I won’t hold back if I need your help.”

All afternoon, Athena kept her eye on that burner Instagram account, waiting to see if it’d drop any more so–called “dirt.”

Sure enough, by late afternoon, the account dropped a huge “expose” post.

Here it comes.

Athena clicked right in.

Pretending to be some sort of insider, the account owner rattled off a long list of accusations against Athena.

There were more than 20 bullet points, each one painting her in the worst light. Athena scrolled down, skimming through the ridiculous claims.

“1. Athena and Zaden aren’t really married.

“2. Athena’s been getting cozy with several dads at camp, not just Albas.” There are even pictures to prove it.

Each point was paired with the so–called “photo evidence,” making the claims look pretty legit at first glance.

But when Athena looked closely, it was just random pictures snapped during activities— someone had been spying on her all along. They were all staged to make her look like some

shameless flirt.

A few photos were just her greeting people in passing.

It was absolutely ridiculous.

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