Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

It was a direct challenge. Zoe wasn't avoiding the sparring because she was scared or skipping the test because she was a coward. She had bigger plans—a showdown with Zack. She was gonna take him down with one move.
When she said that, everyone felt like an invisible noose was choking them.
Cheryl's eyes bugged out. "Zoe, are you serious? You're so reckless! Challenging Mr. Shelton? You're gonna get crushed."
Eunice had never seen anyone so foolish. She couldn't believe Zoe's audacity. She'd seen people take risks, but not like this. She bet Zoe didn't know Zack's combat skills.
Eunice rolled her eyes when she heard Zoe say she would take down Zack in one move.
Herbert and Jacob scowled and glared at Zoe. For a split second, everyone was so shocked, they couldn't speak.
Zack, the one being challenged, was stunned too. He knew better than anyone—Zoe didn't pull sneak attacks. She had real skills.
But whether she was good or not, the fact she hurt his wrist was all over town. If word spread, he, as a world champion, couldn't keep his reputation in Jelonsburg.
This could ruin his reputation, even mess up his chances with the Eminence Nexus. To save face and stop rumors he got ambushed by some backwoods girl, he had to act.
Beating her fair and square—perfect. She'd challenged him publicly, after all. He'd been itching to face her.
Zack stared at Zoe, eyes sharp like an eagle's. "Fine. Since you're so bold, challenging me in front of everyone, I'll take your offer.
"Today's fight doesn't count. But let's bet. In a month, once I'm healed, the loser apologizes publicly and leaves Highcrest University."
Zack himself agreed. The students freaked out.
"No way Zoe fakes it this time!"
"She's toast."
"Zoe, you challenged him—don't back out."
"Expose the fraud, Mr. Shelton! Kick her out! How dare she seduce Mr. Ludwig."
Zoe just smiled, "Alright."
Everyone thought, 'Taking the bet so easily. Is she hiding something? Cheating?'
Then Zoe said all of sudden, "But..."
Everyone sneered inwardly, 'Of course! She will play tricks. Mr. Shelton's a world-class MMA champ. There is no way she dare fight him straight up.'
Just when everyone expected her to make a wild demand, she dropped a bomb. Everyone froze.
Zoe smiled, "Betting on win or lose? Boring. Let's go all in. Loser dies."
The crowd gasped. Even Zack paled.
Instead of backing down, she upped the ante. She proposed a life-and-death pact.
Everyone thought Zoe was desperate for fame, even at the expense of herself.
Herbert couldn't sit still. He jumped up. "Zoe, what are you thinking? Betting your life? Are you suicidal?"
To Herbert, no matter how weird she'd acted, no matter her secrets, he thought she just spoiled.
But Zoe thinking she could take on Zack straight up with no tricks. That was nuts for him.
"Zoe!" Eunice looked worried and stepped forward, but Cheryl stopped her. "Eunice, stay out of it! She's got Shawn wrapped around her finger. Now she's using rumors to climb Jelonsburg's social ladder. Let her face the music."
Deep down, Eunice couldn't help but smirk. She didn't think Zoe was this dumb—she wouldn't even have to lift a finger; Zoe was digging her own hole.
"Fine! If that's how you want it, we'll bet our lives. But don't come crying to me when you crash and burn," Zack snorted and glared at Zoe.
Zoe slid past him, heading for the ring's edge. As she walked by, she paused, turned her head, and said coldly, loud enough for everyone, "I won't lose."
Then she strutted off, looking cocky. Students nearby filmed the whole thing and posted it online.
The internet blew up again. Jelonsburg was in chaos.
Zack Shelton, Highcrest University's vice principal and a big deal at the Eminence Nexus, was challenging a student—some country girl—to a fight to the death. That never happened before.
This was juicy.
Amid all the backlash, Zoe stayed chill and headed home.
In the living room, Clara had just gotten her nails done. Her bright red tips glinted as she scrolled her phone. Then she saw a video of Zoe calling out Zack and them agreeing to a life-or-death duel in a month.
Clara almost fainted from rage. When Zoe walked in, she leapt up, jabbed her chubby finger at Zoe's forehead, and screamed, "Zoe, freeze!
"What's your problem? Always stirring up trouble for us! With your skills, you think you can take on Zack, Highcrest's VP? Are you insane?
"If you're hellbent on destroying yourself, fine, but don't drag us down. When Zack kills you after you lose, don't say I didn't warn you—the Evanses won't save you. Go to Zack's place now and apologize."
Zoe shot Clara a cold glare, pride blazing. "No way!" She smirked. "Zack? Please. That bet's as good as mine."
She was extremely arrogant. Even Eminence Nexus folks wouldn't say something that wild.
Watching Zoe storm upstairs, Clara seethed. She was so furious she could barely breathe and almost keeled over.
Luckily, Eunice walked in and helped Clara to her room.
Outside, Eunice thought about the wilderness survival trip starting soon. She wandered into the empty garden and made a hushed call. "Your offer still stand? I need a favor."
"What kind?"
"Make sure Zoe gets stuck on the worst team for the wilderness survival thing!"
Time zipped by, and before anyone knew it, Highcrest University's annual wilderness survival event was here. Early that morning, students were already there, all geared up and ready to roll.
This year, the event was in a huge, untouched forest. To challenge the students and boost their skills, the school picked a wild, unpredictable spot full of potential dangers.
Zoe was the last to show up. Right before she got there, she got a text from her subordinates saying Shawn was the lead instructor. He'd be in charge of everything during the event.
Zoe had a hunch. Shawn, a war hero, was super busy. But he took the time to lead the event. Clearly, he still had doubts about her.
Zoe was right. Meanwhile, in the command center, Shawn in a military uniform stood tall, watching Zoe on the surveillance screen, not missing a beat.