Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 285: Chapter 285

"I have an urgent meeting tonight—can't be there in person," Shawn said, a hint of frustration in his voice. If time permitted, he would have gone himself.
Zoe shot him a confident grin. "Forget about the Ludwig family. I'll handle it for you."
Shawn glanced at Zoe. He watched as she opened her phone and realized that the admission code for the auction had already been sent to her.
Shawn said, "The Ludwig family will likely attend this auction as well."
Zoe replied, "Got it. If the Ludwig family wins the bid, I'll back off."
Shawn nodded and wondered, 'This antique might not mean much to me personally, but as a national treasure, it holds immense historical and cultural significance. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.'
Shawn said, "I'll have someone escort you."
Zoe thought Shawn would at least give her a hug to say thanks. But this guy was so socially clueless. He actually extended his right hand.
'Seriously? A handshake?' she thought, a little speechless. 'Fine. He's the one I chose—might as well indulge him.'
With that, she extended her right hand and clasped Shawn's in a firm handshake.
Unexpectedly, in the next instant, Shawn pulled Zoe into his arms with a sudden tug. His lips brushed against hers, as light as a butterfly's wings. Before Zoe could process what had happened, he had already turned and walked away.
Shortly after, a soldier with sharp features was brought before Zoe. She recognized him at once, Troy Zeller, one of Shawn's most trusted aides.
"Let's go, Ms. Evans," Troy drawled, his tone far from polite and deliberately lazy. But Zoe wasn't bothered by it.
Once the car started moving, Troy suddenly spoke up. "Ms. Evans, I'll admit you've got some impressive skills. But since we happened to meet today, let me be blunt.
"No matter how capable you are; your family background just isn't strong enough. You're simply not a match for someone like Shawn."
Zoe arched an eyebrow. 'Am I suddenly being targeted?' she thought.
Troy continued, "Ms. White is the perfect match for Shawn. An alliance between two elite families would multiply Shawn's status and glory. And you? What do you have to offer? You'd only end up holding him back."
Zoe remained unfazed. Troy tried to catch a glimpse of Zoe's displeased expression in the rearview mirror. But to his disappointment, he saw nothing.
Zoe, however, acted as if she hadn't heard a single word he'd said.
Frustrated by Zoe's indifference, Troy finally snapped, "Zoe, have you no shame?
"After all I've said, shouldn't you give up Shawn for the sake of love? Love means sacrifice. You should let him go and help him find someone better. He and Ms. White are a match made in heaven."
Facing Troy's ranting, Zoe merely said coolly, "Keep your eyes on the road."
With a screech of tires, Troy abruptly hit the brakes—clearly trying to throw Zoe off balance and make her look foolish.
Unfortunately, Zoe had seen it coming. She didn't even flinch.
"Zoe, don't play dumb. I grew up in high society. I know your type. You're just using men to claw your way to the top." Troy finally dropped all pretenses and spat out his true feelings.
Zoe immediately scoffed.
"What are you laughing at? Hit a nerve, did I? I knew you had ulterior motives for getting close to Shawn.
"I'm calling him right now to expose your true colors." Troy actually pulled out his phone, ready to expose Zoe's true colors to him.
Zoe simply watched with cold indifference, making no move to stop him.
Troy was nothing if not a loyal aide. Seeing Zoe so blatantly ignore him, he grew even more enraged. "Think I won't do it? I'll make sure Shawn sees your true colors," he snapped.
Even if it meant being chewed out or even demoted by Shawn, Troy was determined to speak up, no matter the cost.
Just as Troy was driving and about to call Shawn, a sudden barrage of gunfire erupted. Bullets from an unknown direction slammed into the car with deafening impacts. A sudden barrage of gunfire erupted.