Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 183: Chapter 183

Shawn's bold, unyielding words made Sophia's face change in an instant. She never imagined that the Shawn she'd been longing for would actually say something like that to her.
But before Sophia's expression could fully shift, something happened.
A girl's light, mocking laugh cut through the room, cold and sharp. Everyone was startled, instinctively turning toward the sound until all eyes landed on Zoe.
Zoe chuckled softly. "What a shame. But haven't you ever heard the saying?
"Long-term friendship rarely turns to romance." Zoe's words were slow and deliberate, each syllable clear and unhurried.
But that icy, commanding tone made it obvious she was calling Sophia out, openly challenging her and making it clear who really had the upper hand.
Sophia's face darkened immediately. "Zoe, you? You actually dare to laugh at me?"
At this point, even knowing Zoe's reputation as the Queen of Mercenaries, Sophia couldn't keep up her fake smile anymore.
She even jabbed a finger right at Zoe, ready to expose her in front of everyone—wanting them all to see what kind of person Zoe really was, so they'd instinctively distance themselves from her.
Sophia shouted, "Don't think just because you're a merc— " She barely got the words out.
"What a crowd! Mr. Lewind, the Ludwig family really went all out with this grand welcome for you," said a boy.
The speaker was a young man, and as he appeared, everyone also saw a middle-aged man in simple robes walking just ahead of him, his age impossible to guess.
The two of them had an unmistakable air of otherworldliness. One looked and could tell they weren't ordinary people. Instantly, everyone thought of the miracle doctor who was supposed to show up today.
In that moment, everyone guessed who they must be. They thought, 'Is this middle-aged man really the famous miracle doctor Mr. Lewind?'
"Miracle doctor is here! He's really here!"
"This is amazing! We finally saw the miracle doctor!" Several of the Ludwig elders were so excited they looked like they might drop to their knees right then and there.
Even Joseph, who'd been fuming just moments ago, suddenly perked up at the news. His mind cleared, and he called out, "Where's the miracle doctor? Where's Mr. Lewind?"
He followed the crowd and spotted Yancy making his way over. His face lit up with joy, but before he could even greet him, Sophia darted forward and beat him to it.
Eager to prove she was the one who'd invited the miracle doctor, Sophia rushed up and said, "Mr. Lewind, I'm Sophia from the White family. I called you before, but you didn't answer. I never expected you'd show up in person.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep my promise to you. Please, could you take a look at Mrs. Amy Ludwig now?" Sophia said, her face full of pride.
After all, she was the only one here with Yancy's contact info.
Sophia went on and on, but Yancy didn't even look at her. He just kept searching the crowd for someone else.
Sophia's expression almost slipped. She could barely keep her composure.
She'd thought that after all her polite small talk, the miracle doctor would at least acknowledge her, maybe say a word or two. But he didn't even glance her way.
"Mr. Lewind?" Sophia reached out and waved her hand in front of him, trying to get his attention.
But her move only made Yancy visibly annoyed. "Move away. You're blocking my view," he snapped.
Sophia was left speechless.
This was nothing like what she'd pictured. Maybe he's just too important to bother with pleasantries. That must be it, Sophia told herself, forcing herself to let it go.
Meanwhile, everyone else, especially the Ludwig family, saw Sophia talking to the miracle doctor, and since he didn't completely ignore Sophia, they all just assumed she was the one who brought him here.
"Look, Sophia really did invite the miracle doctor!"
"That settles it. She's going to be Shawn's fiancée now!"
"Finally, things are going our way!"
Everyone felt this was exactly how it should be. Even Joseph finally stopped being angry and broke into a wide grin.
Just as everyone was about to rush forward and flatter the miracle doctor.
Zoe suddenly strode right up to Yancy, her expression cool and a little smug. In front of everyone, she let out a light laugh and said, "Kid, you finally showed up."
The whole room sucked in a breath.
Calling someone "kid" might be fine with anyone else, but this was Yancy, the miracle doctor people would pay a fortune just to meet. He looked old enough to be Zoe's grandfather. Even if they were peers, she had no right to call him that.
People thought, 'And seriously, who does she think she is, talking to Mr. Lewind like they were old friends? She acted like she was the one who invited him here.'
Before anyone else could react, Joseph slammed his cane and snapped, "Zoe, what are you trying to do? Mr. Lewind is Sophia's honored guest. Do you know how hard it was for her to invite him? How dare you call him that?"
"Yeah! This woman has no manners at all. She actually dares to offend the miracle doctor!"
"People from small families are always like this. I don't know what Shawn sees in her—she's just embarrassing us."
"Shawn, you saw that, right? This is the fiancée you picked. At a time like this, she doesn't even care if your grandma lives or dies. If she scares the miracle doctor off, who's going to save your grandma?"
But even with everyone scolding her, Zoe just kept walking, not slowing down at all until she stood right in front of Yancy.
"Get her out of here! We can't let her offend our honored guest." Joseph was so furious he nearly rolled his eyes.
A few of the Ludwig elders rushed over, trying to stop Zoe from getting any closer to the miracle doctor.
Sophia sneered from the side, "Zoe, your show's over. Just leave already."
"Yeah, just go. Stop embarrassing yourself here."
"I've never seen a woman with so little sense. Didn't her family teach her any manners?"
"Don't you remember? She never had anyone to teach her. She's just a country bumpkin from a small town. What a disgrace. If Shawn really brings her home, the Ludwig family will be the laughingstock of all Jelonsburg."
As everyone whispered and gossiped, Shawn didn't make a move.
While everyone else was doubting Zoe, when Yancy first saw her, he actually hesitated, not daring to step forward and greet her right away.
It wasn't until Zoe spoke and walked up to him that he finally realized that this really was Zoe. Overcome with emotion, his lips trembled and he almost rushed forward to give Zoe a big, heartfelt hug.
But Zoe dodged him without missing a beat. Yancy wasn't discouraged at all.
Right in front of everyone, he called out to Zoe, his voice full of excitement, "You—Zoe, Ms. Evans! I knew you'd be here!
"After all these years, this is the first time you've ever reached out to me. Ms. Evans, my master, I missed you so much, you have no idea." As he spoke, Yancy's eyes turned red right there in front of everyone.