Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 372: Chapter 372

Zoe froze for a second, caught off guard by the unexpected cheesiness of his words. This wasn't the aloof, untouchable legendary warrior she was used to. She never would've guessed that Shawn knew how to flirt like that.
Shawn, for his part, was nervous. That line had come straight from a late-night Google search for "best romantic lines." He had no idea whether it worked or not.
Zoe suddenly burst out laughing. "Mr. Ludwig, I still prefer you when you're quiet and serious."
Shawn didn't know what to say. He suspected he had just embarrassed himself in public.
Later, Zoe and Shawn found a place to eat. After finishing their meal, they headed straight back to their residence. That was because the other delegates from Clusia had started to arrive, and they needed to check in and greet them.
But as soon as they returned to the Universal Tower, two shadowy figures quietly followed them into the building.
Shawn and Zoe weren't ordinary people. They immediately sensed they were being tailed.
Still, they didn't think much of it. No one dared make trouble inside the Universal Tower. The most those stalkers could do was follow them into the lobby—they wouldn't be able to get into the elevators.
Sure enough, once Zoe and Shawn entered the elevator, they saw the two people turn around and prepare to leave.
"Who do you think sent them?" Zoe asked.
Shawn reached out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "They're nobodies. Not worth worrying about."
Zoe thought about it and agreed. But with so many people in Clusia opposed to her and Shawn being together, she had a bad feeling that the international reception ahead wouldn't be so smooth.
As soon as they stepped off the elevator, they spotted Rick and a few others standing in the hallway, talking. When they saw Zoe and Shawn approaching, their expressions turned sour.
Zoe turned to Shawn and said, "Looks like they're not too happy to see me. I'll just head inside and rest."
Shawn took the initiative to walk up to Rick and the others.
"Shawn, we still feel the need to remind you—don't get too cocky just because you're young."
"You might not agree with the choices we make, but trust us, we're only thinking of what's best for you."
"Exactly. Don't go making a fool of yourself abroad, Shawn."
"Clusia needs you to shine at the reception. As for that woman—best not bring her up at all."
Seeing that they were still trying to talk him out of it, Shawn made his stance clear once again. "My marriage is my own business. I don't need your concern. Get some rest, all of you."
"You—" Rick was fuming. But Shawn ignored him completely, walked over to Zoe's door, and knocked. Then, in full view of all the Elders, he stepped into her room.
Zoe gently caressed Shawn's face. "They must be furious right now."
Shawn held her hand and kissed it lightly. "I'm staying the night."
Zoe blinked, surprised. She thought he was hinting at something more intimate.
Shawn noticed the look in her eyes and immediately tapped her forehead with his finger. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just think something might happen tonight."
He was staying to protect her.
Zoe chuckled softly. "I don't need your protection."
"If you were Firefox, then of course you wouldn't. But... are you?" As he said that, he suddenly turned to look at her, his gaze sharp and probing.
In that moment, Zoe almost thought he had figured out her true identity.
But she smiled calmly. "Even if I said I was, would you believe me?"
"If you say it, I'll believe it." Shawn's tone was unwavering.
Zoe didn't like this kind of subtle probing, so she shifted the topic. "If you don't leave tonight, I'm afraid those Elders might kick down my door."
"Let them try," Shawn said indifferently.