From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Another Failure

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Zaden noticed Athena didn’t resist, so he started cleaning her wound and wrapping her hand.

He stood tall, head slightly lowered, with a few strands of hair falling over his face. The gesture was hiding his sharp features. His presence was intense, almost overwhelming.

Athena grew tense. Her whole body stiffened without her meaning to.

Ten minutes later, the bandage was done.

She looked helplessly at her fingers. For someone who had cooked countless meals, it was embarrassing to still be this clumsy.

Zaden spoke first. “Since your hand is hurt, I’ll cut the vegetables for you.”

Well, fine then.

Athena stood beside him, watching as he worked the knife. For a moment, it felt unreal.

A man like Zaden-someone with his status-didn’t belong in a kitchen.

“Do you need help?” His voice pulled her from her daze.

She blinked and blurted, “You’re already helping me by cutting.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Zaden’s tone was calm. “I meant with your divorce.”

Athena froze, then understood.

Just as she was about to speak, he added, “Teri said things got pretty rough between you and

them.”

So he knew.

But she didn’t want him dragged into this mess. There was no reason for him to risk his reputation.

“Harriet said she’d help,” Athena replied lightly. “I won’t trouble you, Mr. Storm.”

She already had Kit supporting her, and now Harriet. That was more than enough.

Zaden gave a small nod and gave his word. “If you change your mind, you can come to me anytime.”

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Meanwhile, Lewis had just finished an international meeting.

He wore a sharp suit, his features strong and commanding. Surrounded by executives, he walked at the front as if he were the god who ruled the land.

Ned walked toward him. Lewis spotted him and said in a low voice, “Follow me to the office.”

He knew Ned had taken Dion to see Athena today.

He expected good news.

Once seated behind his desk, Lewis looked up, his voice steady but firm. “She agreed to come home?”

Ned steeled himself and answered, “No…”

The word hung in the air. The office grew still.

Lewis’s expression darkened. His brows knit in anger. “Didn’t I tell Dion to convince her? Why didn’t she come back?”

Ned could only stand there, helpless.

“I didn’t go upstairs with Mr. Dion, Mr. Belmont,” Ned said innocently. “I only waited for him downstairs. I don’t know what they talked about. He came down on his own.”

Then Ned added boldly, “From the way Mr. Dion looked, I’d guess he had some kind of fight with Mrs. Belmont.”

Lewis yanked at his tie in frustration.

He let out a deep breath, then suddenly stood, grabbed his jacket, and stormed out of the office.

Ned rushed to follow.

When they returned to the villa, Nina hurried up to greet him with a bright smile. “Lewis, you’re home. Dinner’s ready. Do you want to eat first or take a shower?”

After yesterday’s chaos, Lewis had immediately hired a maid,

Nina, however, had overheard a few things that left her uneasy.

Afraid of losing ground, she had asked Ned about Athena’s old habits and began copying them, hoping Lewis would notice her more.

Athena had once been nothing but a pawn to her. Now Nina had to imitate her-something

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Chapter 30 Another Failure

that made her burned with resentment.

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Still, she had no choice. If she stayed patient a little longer, everything might fall into place.

Lewis froze for a moment. For some reason, Nina’s welcome stirred an image of Athena in his mind.

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