Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 193: Chapter 193

Zoe's face changed the moment she heard that. She glanced back and saw Shawn had just hung up his phone, too. She was sure it was a call from someone in the Ludwig family.
"Don't say anything, just get in the car," Shawn said. The two of them got in, and the car headed straight for Ludwig residence.
On the way, Zoe's expression was dark. She was sure her diagnosis for Amy was spot on. If they'd followed her treatment plan, Amy would be on the road to recovery in half a year. She wondered why Amy had suddenly been in critical condition.
"There's something off with your family," Zoe said bluntly, looking at Shawn.
Shawn's face was just as grim. He didn't answer, which was as good as admitting it. But he knew that even if his uncles liked to play games behind the scenes, they'd never dare go too far.
That was because Joseph was ruthless. Back when Shawn wanted to leave the Ludwig family to join the army, it took everything he had to break free. Shawn pondered, 'Looks like Grandma's situation needs a serious investigation.'
As soon as Zoe and Shawn arrived at the Ludwig residence and stepped out of the car, several of Shawn's uncles stormed over. They hurled insults at Zoe. One said, "Shawn, do you even know what this woman you brought home almost did? She nearly..."
Before the person could finish, Shawn shot him a cold, arrogant glare. That one look was enough to shut him up instantly. He couldn't get another word out.
When Zoe and Shawn entered Amy's room, there were already several people inside. Yancy was talking to Joseph, and the family doctor and a nurse were standing nearby.
Zoe walked straight in. She asked, "What's going on?"
Upon seeing Zoe, Yancy replied, "Zoe, they're saying your treatment plan is to blame."
The family doctor, Yuri, after his examination, agreed. He said, "That's right. Originally, Mrs. Ludwig was just unconscious, her life wasn't in danger. But now, after your treatment, her condition has gotten so bad she could die at any moment."
Hearing this, Joseph's face turned dark. He whipped his head around to glare at Zoe, all his earlier friendliness gone, replaced by a sudden, furious anger.
He snapped, "Zoe, I don't care if you're some miracle doctor's teacher. If anything happens to my wife today, you'll be buried with her."
Hearing this, Shawn said coldly, "The truth isn't out yet. I'd like to see anyone try to lay a finger on her." He stepped forward, his presence sweeping through the room like a war god, silencing everyone.
Joseph slammed his cane hard on the floor. He said, "Shwan, you are ungrateful. Have you forgotten how your grandma raised you? You've lost your mind over a woman!"
Shawn replied, "You know better than anyone what Grandma's real condition is. If Zoe's at fault, let justice decide. As for you, you don't have the right to judge her."
Joseph was so furious. He shouted, "You little brat! Are you really going to just stand by and watch your grandmother get killed?"
Shawn insisted, "Taking the law into your own hands is illegal. Even if it's my own family, I won't turn a blind eye." His voice was unwavering. He was making it clear he would stand with Zoe, no matter what.
With Amy's life hanging in the balance, Shawn, who was supposedly one of their own, was siding with an outsider. He was going out of his way to protect a woman who wasn't even a Ludwig.
Naturally, this only made Joseph and the rest of the family resent Zoe even more.
Joseph said, "I knew it! I knew this woman was nothing but trouble. Now your grandmother's on the brink of death, and instead of helping your own family, you're still defending an outsider.
"You are an ungrateful traitor!" He was so angry his chest hurt, and he clutched at his heart.
Seeing this, Shawn's uncles joined in to blame Shawn. One said, "Shawn, apologize! Are you trying to drive your grandpa to his grave?"
Another chimed in, "Shawn, you're a disgrace! Your grandpa wanted you to inherit the family business, but honestly, you're not worthy at all."
Someone said, "Shawn, you've gone too far. We should grab that woman right now and make her kneel and apologize to your grandmother!"
One said, "That's right! She'd better pray Amy pulls through, or she won't live to see another day."
Seeing everyone rush to condemn Zoe before even figuring out what happened, Yancy's face turned cold. "You're all going too far," he snapped.
But no one here saw Yancy as a miracle doctor. All the Ludwigs wanted was to punish Zoe to appease Joseph's rage.
As others' voices grew louder, Joseph's anger reached its peak. He jabbed his cane at Shawn and shouted, "Tie up that witch right now and make her kneel by the bed!"
"Absolutely not," Shawn shot back without hesitation.
One of Shawn's uncles said, "Shawn, have you lost your mind? What is it about this woman that makes you willing to turn your back on your own family? How can you even stand by while your grandmother gets hurt?"
Another said, "And that's not all. Your grandpa always favored you, but now you're defying him for a woman?"
Someone said, "See? Joseph spoiled him too much. Now, for some woman, he probably doesn't even remember his last name."
One said, "Joseph, are you comfortable letting someone like this run the Ludwig family?"
Joseph shot Shawn a cold look. He asked, "You still don't think you're wrong?"
Shawn didn't waver. He said, "I trust her."
That finally pushed Joseph over the edge. He pointed at Zoe and snapped at Shawn, "You are something. Let me ask you, if I make you choose right now between leaving the family and this woman, which will it be?"
Those words were harsh, but they made one thing clear: Joseph had already decided that Zoe was the one who hurt Amy, and he was determined to kick Zoe out of the Ludwig family. If Shawn insisted on protecting her, then he could leave, too.
The whole family knew Joseph's word was law. When others heard this, they all jumped in anxiously. One said, "Shawn, don't be stupid!"
Another asked, "Yeah, the Ludwig family raised you, and this is how you repay us?"
Seeing this, Zoe thought, 'Joseph's words are the final ultimatum. If Shawn kept going against them, he'd be cast out of his own family.' She blinked, waiting for Shawn's answer.
She wondered what Shawn would choose, his family or her. She thought, 'Now that is interesting.'
The next second, Shawn's cold and unyielding voice rang out, echoing through the room. He said, "I don't care about being the head of the Ludwig family. But remember this: if anyone dares to mess with my woman today, I'll make them pay.
"If anyone wants the Ludwig family, they can have it. I don't care."