Sparkling Girl

A basin of cold water hit Zoey King's face, making her shiver and snap her eyes open. Her whole body felt like it had been run over by a truck, and a bunch of loud, angry voices erupted around her.

"You shameless girl! How could you do this to Mr. Scott?"

"Zoey, how could you? You're about to get married!"

"Disgrace! You've shamed the King Family!"

Zoey's head pounded from all the noise. She looked down and realized she was only in her underwear. Her neck and exposed skin were covered in big, obvious hickeys.

Memories began to resurface as Zoey massaged her temples, eventually remembering the wild events of the previous night.

She had been drugged with some aphrodisiac at the bar and had fought off some creepy guys with everything she had.

In her daze, she had stumbled into this room. The next thing she knew, she was in the arms of some guy.

In her dazed state, she couldn't recall the guy's appearance. She only remembered grabbing him, and then feeling his hands all over her.

When she woke up, the guy was gone, but a big crowd had gathered at the door.

Zoey looked up and coldly stared at a familiar face in the crowd—Luna King, her sister, the mastermind behind everything that happened last night.

If Luna hadn't messed with her drink, Zoey wouldn't have ended up in this room and lost her virginity.

Noticing Zoey's dark glare, Luna looked away and grabbed the arm of the stern-faced Brian Scott.

"Brian, I'm so sorry. Zoey has always been a bit of a wild one, and we've tried talking to her many times. I never thought she'd be so bold as to ignore your engagement and sleep with another man. It's the King Family's fault for not keeping her in check..." Luna's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip.

Behind her, Zoey's father, Timothy King, and her mother, Hazel King, were also furious, looking at Zoey like they wanted to tear her apart.

"Zoey! Get over here and apologize to Mr. Scott!" Timothy gritted his teeth.

"I've always said we shouldn't have brought her back. She should've been left to fend for herself in that poor, remote village!" Hazel wiped her tears in anger, as if Zoey wasn't her biological daughter but her mortal enemy.

Zoey's lips curled in mockery, but her heart remained unmoved. These were the parents her master insisted she return to honor.

They cherished Luna, their adopted daughter, as if she were a treasure, while constantly making life hard for their own biological child.

Zoey now regretted listening to her master and coming back to be bullied by these people.

Half a year ago, the King Family had sent people to Whispering Pines Village to bring her back, claiming she was the long-lost true daughter of the King Family.

Zoey hadn't wanted to reconnect with this family, but her master, Saul Pena, had persuaded her, so she agreed.

Since returning to the King Family, she had been met with disdain at every turn. Timothy and Hazel didn't like their rough, country-bred daughter, but they doted on the delicate Luna. Their favoritism was extreme!

Zoey put on her clothes, ignoring the almost furious stares from the crowd, and stood up calmly.

Brian took a step forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "Zoey, do you even care about our engagement?"

Zoey looked at him, a mocking smile on her lips. "Brian, shouldn't I be asking you that? What were you and Luna doing at the bar last night? Do you think I didn't see?"

Brian's face stiffened, and his expression became unnatural. "You're lying about me! You're the one who cheated, and now you're blaming me and Luna? That's just low!"

He turned to Timothy and Hazel, "I don't think this marriage should happen! The Scott family doesn't need a woman like her!"

Timothy and Hazel immediately panicked. Hazel forced a smile, afraid of losing this good match. "Brian, don't be hasty. This is Zoey's fault, and we'll discipline her. The King and Scott families arranged this marriage a long time ago. Please think it over."

Brian glanced at Zoey, then turned and gently took Luna's hand. "Timothy, Hazel, to be honest, I've always loved Luna. We've been together since childhood. Now that Zoey has proven unfaithful, I think the engagement should be between Luna and me."

The two gazed at each other affectionately, ignoring the shocked faces around them.

Zoey had finished dressing and looked at the text message on her phone: [Dr. K, everything's ready for the experiment. Director Aaron Hill has arranged a pickup for you, and they should arrive soon.]

Zoey had no time to waste on these fools. As she walked towards the door, Luna grabbed her. Turning around, Zoey saw Luna's tearful face, as if she had been greatly wronged.

"Zoey, where are you going? Are you mad because of my feelings for Brian? It's my fault. I shouldn't have fallen for him. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, just that you don't stand in the way of us being together..."

Another round of tears. Zoey was tired of this act. Since returning to the King Family, Luna had pulled this stunt countless times.

Every time Luna shed a tear, the entire King Family would side with her. This time was no different.

Zoey frowned and impatiently shook off her hand. "I don't have time for your drama. Get lost!"

The next second, there was a cry of surprise as Luna fell backward and hit the ground hard.

Brian rushed to help her, glaring at Zoey with anger. "Are you crazy?! How dare you hurt your sister?"

Timothy and Hazel were also furious.

But Zoey just smirked and walked towards the door.

Timothy's angry shout came from behind her. "You wretch! Where are you going?"

Zoey paused, slightly turned her head, and smiled calmly. "I'm going to find the handsome guy I slept with yesterday! Brian has found a new love, so why can't I?"

Timothy's face turned ashen and his fingers trembled as he pointed at Zoey's departing figure before he rolled his eyes and fainted.

Ignoring the commotion behind her, Zoey walked out of the hotel.

Outside, a group of men in black stood in neat rows, exuding a powerful aura.

As soon as Zoey stepped out, the men in black bowed in unison, their voices loud and clear. "Welcome, Dr. K!"