Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 283: Chapter 283

Clara, unable to contain her anger, shouted, "If you won't go, Eunice will go by herself. I heard Kestrel, the world's top weapons designer, will be there. A chance like this to expand your horizons doesn't come every day—you'll just miss out.
"Eunice, you must find a way to become Kestrel's apprentice. The team is in desperate need of powerful equipment. If you can master his skills, you'll be a tremendous help to Shawn.
"And he'll know who's really the most suitable choice for him."
"Mom, no kidding, please." At the mention of Shawn, Eunice immediately blushed and cooed coyly.
Hearing this, Zoe paused mid-step. Eunice couldn't help but sneer inwardly, 'Look at you. Acting all high and mighty, but you're actually dying to go, aren't you?'
She said, "Zoe, if you change your mind, I can let you tag along—"
"Kestrel won't be attending," Zoe interjected coldly before Eunice could finish.
Zoe was none other than Kestrel, the legendary weapons designer everyone was talking about. So when she heard they were auctioning off weapons she had designed, she naturally had zero interest in attending.
But Clara's words puzzled Zoe. 'I never received an invitation. Who said I was going?' Zoe wondered. 'Lately, I've heard about imposters using my identity to scam people. Could this be another one of those cases?'
Clara and Eunice were both stunned by Zoe's words.
Eunice blurted out, "Zoe, how could you possibly know Kestrel isn't coming? You're not even him. Who gave you the right to speak for him?"
Clara immediately caught on when she heard Eunice's words. She immediately flew into a rage and shouted, "Zoe, have you no shame? Always showing off—even in front of us. You claim to know Kestrel? Why not just say you know Firefox too?
"You're really going to drive me up the wall. I wish you weren't my daughter."
"Mom, calm down," Eunice said soothingly. "Zoe didn't mean it. She probably just developed this habit of telling little white lies to protect herself. We can help her outgrow it little by little."
"How disgraceful," Clara snapped.
After venting, Clara turned to Eunice and said, "Eunice, don't listen to Zoe's nonsense. She's just pretending to know everything when she really doesn't. When Kestrel shows up, make sure you seize the chance to become his apprentice, understand?"
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll give it my all," Eunice said brightly.
Zoe shot the overexcited mother-daughter pair a cold, mocking sneer, then turned on her heel and walked away without a backward glance.
As Zoe got into the car, preparing to leave, her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered it.
The person said, "Excuse me, is this Kestrel? We're the organizers of the upcoming Jelonsburg auction in Clusia. One of your earlier designs will be featured in our auction, and we would be truly honored if you could grace us with your presence.
"I wonder if you might be able to attend—"
"Not interested." Zoe hung up without hesitation.
He continued, "Hold on. Kestrel, please don't turn us down so quickly. Your reputation is legendary worldwide—you're a household name, and people are eager to know both your work and you personally.
"This time, many of your devoted fans will be there, all hoping to finally meet you. Won't you reconsider meeting them?"
"These rising stars in the field are all eager for your guidance. Becoming your apprentice would be their greatest honor." The event organizer was quite the smooth talker.
Too bad Zoe couldn't care less about such invitations.
He didn't give up. "Oh, please, Kestrel. We know you don't like your identity being exposed. You can stay in a private suite, completely separate from everyone else, and we'll provide the highest-level confidentiality measures for you."
"Besides your weapon designs, this auction features many other intriguing items, Kestrel. We've learned you're quite the collector of collectibles. Perhaps there's something on the list that will catch your eye?
"Moreover, Kestrel, we've reserved an exclusive VIP suite for you. And should you change your mind at any time, our doors will always be open for you."
"Not interested," Zoe muttered, fed up with their persistence. She hung up, turned off her phone without hesitation, and headed to the place she'd agreed to meet Shawn.
The rest of the drive was uneventful, right up until Zoe finally saw Shawn.
"Shawn, is this how you dress for a date?" Zoe teased, eyeing his military uniform.
Shawn tugged at the pristine white gloves on his hands, raised an eyebrow, and said earnestly, "I don't do frills, but I believe you'll be satisfied."
Zoe thought to herself, 'Satisfaction? Not a chance. But turning a secret date with Shawn into something that feels like military training? Now that, I can definitely feel. Is this really how dates with Shawn, Clusia's legendary warrior, usually go?'
"Shall we get going?" Shawn asked politely.
Zoe gave him a silent look and motioned for him to lead the way.
Shawn had asked her out today, so Zoe naturally assumed he must have planned something special—maybe even a candlelit dinner.
After all, that was how it always went in those rich-family soap operas she'd been binge-watching since coming to Clusia. But she was wrong.
Shawn might really not be good at getting along with girls. The date, all he meant was taking her for a stroll around the military base.
'This date is certainly one for the books,' wondered Zoe. Still, she found she didn't really mind.
A man who was willing to give his life for her, even if he was not good at romance, had a love like no other. That was all that mattered.
Zoe suddenly stopped walking, looked Shawn straight in the eye with an open, expectant gaze, and said, "The sun's about to set. Aren't you going to make your move?"
The setting sun bathed Shawn in golden light, casting a golden halo around him and making his military bearing appear even more strikingly handsome.
Shawn lowered his head, gazing at Zoe. The sunlight fell softly across her face, making the delicate fuzz on her skin visible to him.
'She's so cute,' he thought. 'I really want to plant a kiss on her.'
Zoe looked up at Shawn and teased, "How long are you going to keep staring at me like that?"
'Seriously, can't this guy even make a move, like hug or kiss?' Zoe thought to herself.
Shawn fell silent, his gaze darkening. "Don't tempt me."
"I'm not provoking you. Can't you tell I'm just waiting for you to kiss me?" Zoe said casually, dropping the remark as she gazed at Shawn's righteous face.
Shawn's tanned face darkened a shade after her words. He was blushing.
Zoe chuckled. "Just teasing. I'm starving. Shouldn't you take me out to dinner?"
But just then, Shawn suddenly leaned down and captured Zoe's teasing lips in a searing kiss. The golden glow of the setting sun draped over them like a shimmering veil, painting a scene so beautiful it could have been a masterpiece worthy of museum walls.
Shawn released Zoe, his usually steady and profound eyes showing rare emotion for the first time. His voice was low and a bit rough as he said, "When will you marry me?"