Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 497: Chapter 497

Giving in to their anger, some unruly spectators started hurling trash right into the center of the ring. This was the crowd's vehement protest against them.
Zoe couldn't care less about the commotion around her. Unfazed, she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss.
Sitting in the stands, Aileen almost choked on her fury as she watched Zoe and Shawn's public kiss.
As Aileen furiously summoned Harry to plot her next move, Sophia, standing in the corner, crushed the soda can in her grip with barely contained rage.
'That damn Zoe. Why is she as hard to kill as a cockroach?' she fumed inwardly.
After giving instructions to those around her, Aileen snapped, "Don't screw up again, or I'll make sure you're finished in this business."
The subordinate stammered, "Yes, ma'am. I'll get it done right away."
Just as the arena was in an uproar, supplies arrived. These supplies were prepared by the staff for the contestants.
Zoe reached for the water bottle, but Shawn stopped her hand midway. The memory of the previous attempt to drug Zoe was still vivid in Shawn's mind. He wouldn't let her fall victim again.
Zoe grinned at him. "Relax, I've got this." Zoe unscrewed the water bottle and took a few sips to recharge.
Just then, another one finally made his entrance. This time, the person who appeared seemed to have a special status. The moment he appeared, the women in the crowd erupted into ecstatic shrieks.
"It's Edwin. Oh my god, he's Ocencor's mightiest warrior."
"I heard he once fought Clusia's legendary warrior to a standstill."
"Now she's really in for it. She's about to get totally smashed."
"They're blatantly disrespecting the competition. They must be severely punished."
The crowd was in a frenzy, every spectator baying for Zoe's blood.
One spectator even yelled, "Edwin, I'll offer you 3 million. Kill her."
"I'll chip in 3 million too. Take down that woman from Clusia."
The crowd was in an uproar, clamoring and raising their bounties for Edwin on stage.
Edwin thrust his fist in the air and boomed, "Stack the prize money right there. No cash, no action."
After his shout, all his supporters immediately rushed over to pile their bounties at the spot Edwin had designated.
Edwin watched with smug satisfaction as people streamed one after another toward the bounty drop-off point. He smirked triumphantly.
Just then, a heckler in the crowd yelled at Zoe, "You trash. Surrender now, or you're dead."
"Against an opponent like Edwin, only Shawn stands a chance. Everyone else should get the hell out of the ring."
The entire crowd wrote Zoe off, jeering at her to throw in the towel. Some were still howling for her to get in the ring and meet her doom.
Just then, Sophia shot Aileen a quick text. [What's going on? Didn't you use the stuff I gave you?]
Already fuming, Aileen fired back a reply the moment she saw Sophia's message. [I used it, but she seemed to sense something was off and dodged it.]
Aileen: [Don't worry. I've drugged her again. Just wait and see. She'll soon be a human punching bag for anyone to beat up.]
Sophia sneered after reading the text. 'Hopefully, Aileen actually delivers on her promise this time,' she wondered.
Otherwise, Sophia would really start to wonder if there was anyone in this world who could actually take Zoe down.
Still, the match was about to begin.
With an exaggerated show of fragility, Zoe slumped against Shawn's chest. Aileen's blood boiled with rage when she saw what was happening.
But then Aileen reminded herself it was just the drug taking effect, and her anger instantly cooled.
Aileen told herself, 'Just be patient. Soon, I'll get to see Zoe humiliated.'
"Are you okay?" The match was about to begin, and Shawn asked with concern as Zoe remained nestled in his arms. 'Was there something wrong with the water?' he wondered.
Zoe traced teasing circles on Shawn's chest with her fingertip. "That was just a pep kiss. When I win again, you owe me a victory kiss."