The Real Heiress's New Family: Adored by All Free Preview

"Mae, where's Zora! Jolie's in the hospital, and that girl has the nerve to stay home like nothing's wrong! Where is she? Bring her out!"

Holden Knox stormed into the Knox Villa, ripped off his helmet, and clutched it to his chest. His furious gaze swept the empty living room before locking onto Mae.

"Mr. Knox, Miss Zora Knox was badly shaken last night. She's probably resting upstairs. She didn't mean any harm—she was terrified too."

Mae defended Zora quietly.

Miss Zora Knox is gentle and kind. She never treats us like servants. When my leg ached, she even gave me ointment to soothe the pain. There's no way she pushed Miss Jolie Knox.

More likely, Miss Jolie Knox tried to push Miss Zora Knox and fell on her own.

Mae thought to herself.

But this is only my guess. Mr. Holden Knox is completely on Miss Jolie Knox's side, and he holds a deep bias against Miss Zora Knox. He'll never believe anything bad about Miss Jolie Knox.

If I speak up, he might even think Miss Zora Knox bribed me—and she will suffer even more.

"Terrified? She pushed Jolie into the pool, and we haven't even confronted her! She's terrified? How dare she sleep peacefully in her room?!"

Holden snarled and stormed upstairs.

Mae watched anxiously from below.

But as a servant, she had no voice in the family's affairs.

"Zora! Zora, get out here! How can you sleep after pushing Jolie?!"

Holden banged on the door loudly.

Inside the room, Zora buried her flushed face in the covers, her breathing hot and heavy.

She was half-asleep, disoriented.

The pounding continued. Zora frowned slightly, wriggled under the blanket, and slowly rolled over. Her messy hair stuck up as she poked her head out.

Her sleepy eyes fluttered open, heavy and burning, thin red lines streaking her irises. She rubbed her eyes with a small, pale hand; her eyelids reddened, making her look pitiful.

Dazed from being woken so abruptly, Zora's mind was foggy. Her window had broken the night before, and she'd spent ages fixing it.

She'd just fallen asleep when the noise started.

The irritating banging continued. Zora sighed softly.

Why is this family so stupid? They can't see Jolie's true colors at all.

She didn't want to stay here anymore.

She couldn't even get a good night's sleep.

She missed the little house in Maplewood where she'd lived with her mentor.

Zora clenched her small fists, feeling weak and exhausted. She dragged herself to the door.

If they still couldn't see the truth, her mentor had been right—some people were too foolish to bother with. She could leave for good then.

Everything here was tiring.

She hated being falsely accused.

They were all idiots.

"What is it?"

Zora pulled the door open. Holden, already furious from waiting, had been banging harder; his hand nearly slammed into her face.

"Zora, are you a turtle? Couldn't you hear the door?!"

Holden jerked his hand back. He'd been inches from hitting her. Her face was smaller than his hand—one blow would've left her bruised.

He grew all the more furious at the thought. If Zora hadn't opened the door so suddenly, he never would have nearly hit her. His voice was harsh and enraged.

Before Zora could speak, he continued, "Just how hot are you? Are you trying to freeze to death?"

A blast of cold air hit him.

Zora sighed inwardly.

"...What do you want?"

The broken air conditioner was either freezing or boiling. She kept her eyes down, her voice muffled and hoarse because of her sore throat.

"You pushed Jolie into the pool last night, and she's still in the hospital! How dare you stay here like nothing happened? Apologize to her—now."

Holden frowned at her weak, quiet tone.

It's not like I've abused her. She sounds like such a victim.

Jolie's the one who's hurt.

He reached to yank her up.

His hand touched ice-cold skin.

Holden flinched.

"Why are you freezing?!"

He scowled, his tone harsh.

It's the middle of summer—how could she be this cold?

His stupid question only made Zora feel more drained.

This family is hopeless.

"Let go."

Zora hated being touched. She pulled away weakly.

"Like I wanted to! Put on a jacket and come with me! You're apologizing to Jolie today! So what if you didn't get a separate birthday cake? You two share the same day—that cake was for both of you! How jealous are you?

"Luring Jolie to the pool and pushing her in? Typical country trash! You picked up all those nasty habits from people in that village! This is Seacrest, not some backwoods town! Behave, or leave—and stop hurting Jolie."

Holden bristled at being rejected. He yanked his hand away, snapping angrily.

Yesterday, the family held a birthday party for both Jolie and Zora, since they shared the same birthday. They thought it would be fine to celebrate them together.

But later, Zora got angry that they hadn't thrown her a separate party or prepared a separate cake for her. She believed Jolie had taken everything from her.

She asked Jolie to meet her at the backyard swimming pool, intending to teach her a lesson, and pushed Jolie into the water. Now Jolie was still in the hospital because of it.

"I didn't push her. She jumped in herself."

Zora frowned.

Last night, Jolie had come to the pool to pick a fight with her, calling her a gutter rat who only deserved to spy on her happy life from outside.

She'd ignored Holden at first—but he'd dared call the kind people in Maplewood who'd taken her in "nasty."

And the cake? She didn't care. She was allergic to cream.

"How dare you lie about Jolie! Zora, you're going to the hospital right now to apologize!"

Furious that Zora wouldn't admit guilt and even blamed Jolie, Holden ignored her shivering and dragged her downstairs, determined to make her apologize.

Zora is pure evil. How could someone like her even be part of this family?

"Zora, take this. You haven't had breakfast."

Mae slipped a sandwich into Zora's hand as she came downstairs, hiding it from Holden's sight.

Miss Zora Knox suffered so terribly last night. Now Mr. Holden Knox suddenly calls her downstairs. No idea where he's taking her, but judging by his furious expression, he will never let her eat breakfast before they leave.

"Thanks, Mae." Zora held the warm sandwich, her heart softening. She gave a small, sweet smile.

Her parents and brothers didn't care for her, but Mae and the other staff were kind.

Mae's chest ached for Zora. She watched them leave, seeing Holden snap at her impatiently. Zora was too gentle to fight back—she just took it.

Mae couldn't understand. Zora was so sweet, so why did no one in the family like her?

Holden glanced back and frowned at Zora's soft smile. She never smiled that warmly at any of them.

"Let's go!" he snapped.

Zora's smile faded. She clutched the sandwich and followed unsteadily.

If she refused, Holden would only keep pushing.

Her head throbbed worse.

This family never believed her.

A dull ache tightened her chest. Her mentor had said they'd love her... but that wasn't true.

They don't trust me. They look down on me. They don't want me.

Stupid mentor, leaving me all alone and running off. I'm not gonna trust you anymore!

"Hurry up! Don't waste time." Holden's scowl deepened when her smile disappeared.

She could grin at the help, but act cold around him.

"Get in."

They stepped outside, and the driver waited by the car.

Holden stood guard, ready to stop her from running.

Zora reached for the front passenger door.

"Back seat!" Holden frowned.

Zora's hand froze. "...You never let me sit with you."

They'd never let her sit with them.

They'd only said it once, on the day of the DNA test, but their cold, distant gaze still pierced Zora's heart.

"Just get in. Quit complaining. Hurry."

Holden's face tightened. Avoiding her soft, calm eyes, he pulled open the rear door for her.

Zora pressed her lips together and slid in, staying as close to the door as possible to keep out of his way, afraid she'd get dumped halfway.

Holden stared at her; she was practically pressed against the other side. His jaw twitched. Irritation burned.

What's Zora's problem? I'm not even looking down on her—so why is she acting like she's repulsed by me?

He opened his mouth to snap, then shut it—her blank, empty face stopped him.

The car's AC was mild. Having slept poorly the night before, Zora felt heavy-headed. She leaned against the window and drifted off into a daze.

Holden glanced at her sleeping reflection and fumed.

Is she a pig or something? She's been sleeping all day long. I just got her up a little while ago, and she's dozing off again already.

She pulled that awful stunt and yet she can sleep soundly without a single guilty thought.

Meanwhile, we're the ones tossing and turning with all this weight on our minds.

Despite his anger, he stared at her flushed, sleeping face, gritted his teeth, and didn't wake her.

Remembering her ice-cold hands, he tossed a blanket over her.

Zora curled into the warmth, pulling the blanket over her arms.

Holden watched her, confused.

How could someone with such an innocent face be so rotten?

The mix-up wasn't Jolie's fault. Jolie didn't take anything from her. So why can't she stand Jolie and keep trying to kick her out?

She's just so petty and selfish.

Zora shifted, like she felt his stare.

Holden quickly looked away, pretending to stare out the window.

She inched even closer to the door, pressing herself against it.

The car pulled up smoothly at the hospital.

As soon as it stopped, Zora rubbed her burning eyes and woke up.

Holden's rebuke died in his throat.

They went inside, straight to the 17th floor—SVIP wing.

Jolie had been in the pool for barely a minute—she wasn't even fully soaked. Yet she'd been rushed here, checked by every specialist, and kept overnight.

The whole family had dropped everything to fuss over her.

And every conversation blamed Zora—jealous, selfish, intolerant.

"Jolie, honey, Zora just came back. She was raised rough in the country. Please go easy on her."

Wendy Marlow's voice reached them as they stepped off the elevator.

But her tone was tired and resigned.

She hadn't expected her long-lost daughter to be so wild, so jealous.

Not raising her herself—she'd been ruined by others.

She'd need etiquette tutors. The family could tolerate her, but outsiders wouldn't.

High society was cutthroat. One wrong move and she'd make enemies, and they wouldn't always be there to protect her.

She couldn't disgrace the Knox name.

A scandal would ruin the other kids' marriages too.

Already, everyone whispered about the wild country girl in the Knox family.

At first, Wendy had felt guilty and wanted to make it up to Zora.

She'd planned to teach her gently, no tutors needed.

But Zora's jealousy was too much.

If word got out that she attacked her sister, no decent family would want her.

Thinking about the daughter taken away due to her carelessness, Wendy felt guilty and drained.

She wanted to teach her slowly, but years in that remote village had ingrained her ways too deeply.

"Mom, it's okay. I know Zora didn't mean it. She just lost her temper. I'm fine."

Jolie listened to Wendy's defense of Zora and smiled softly, her pale face looking fragile.

"Go easy on her? Mom, Zora's been back two months and she's still a brat! She pushed Jolie hard—if Jolie couldn't swim, who knows what would've happened! She turns this house upside down. Send her to live alone, before she hurts Jolie worse."

Anton Knox scowled, his voice sharp with annoyance.

Ever since Zora came back, the house had been in chaos.

"But Zora just got back..."

Wendy frowned, hesitating.

It was true—since Zora arrived, the house had been full of fighting. Her three sons hardly stayed home anymore.

But her daughter had only just come back. How could they send her away so soon?

"I think Anton's right. Zora was raised badly in the countryside. She's been fighting with Jolie nonstop. If she lives elsewhere, the house will be peaceful, and you won't be so tired.

"I know you feel sorry for her, Wendy. But Zora's too far gone to fix quickly. Staying here, neither you nor Jolie can rest. We'll give her plenty of spending money and visit often. Maybe time apart will help her grow up.

"We brought her home suddenly; she never lived with Jolie. Of course she's jealous and petty.

"Separate them, and she might come around. We can bring her back later."

Wayne Knox studied his wife's tired face. She'd stayed up with Jolie all night. Thinking of his difficult younger daughter made his head ache.

How had the babies been switched? If Zora had grown up with them, she never would've been such a worry.

"But..." Wendy began again.

"Mom, it's okay. She's just young. She didn't mean it. You should be with her now, not me. I've had you for years—of course she's upset you still care about me.

"It's fine. She's just immature. Her pranks are nothing. Don't worry about me.

"When Zora gets here, I'll apologize to her. I shouldn't have taken her place. I'm sorry."

Jolie spoke softly, sweet and understanding.

"Don't say that. You were a baby—you didn't know. Zora's the one with the attitude. School starts soon, and Cloudview Estate is empty. She sleeps in anyway; it's closer to school."

Yale Knox frowned.

They were both infants at the time. No one could have known about the mix-up.

If anyone was to blame, it was the incompetent hospital staff.

"Jolie, don't talk like that. You were an infant. This isn't your fault. We failed Zora, and she hurt you. Don't worry—when she comes, I'll make her apologize.

"And... I'll talk to her. She can stay away for a while."

Wendy's heart ached at Jolie's kindness. Jolie was the daughter she'd raised. To hear her talk this way broke her.

And Zora had hurt her. Zora owed Jolie an apology.

"Don't bother. I agree to move out."

A quiet, calm voice cut through the room.

Everyone froze and turned toward the door.

There stood Holden, tense and uncomfortable, and beside him—Zora, quiet and distant.

Holden hadn't expected to walk in on them discussing sending Zora away.

She'd only been home two months.

He glanced automatically at Zora.

Her face was completely blank, like she didn't care her own family wanted her gone.

A strange tightness twisted Holden's chest.

She didn't care at all, like she'd known all along.

He didn't know why that thought unsettled him so much.

Zora was too calm. She listened quietly as they called her wild, judged her, and disposed of her future like a piece of unwanted furniture.

Holden had frowned when he heard their father talking about sending Zora away. He'd hoped Yale would defend her, but Yale agreed too. Then he opened the door, and their mother's voice reached their ears clearly.

"Zora... you're here."

Wendy felt guilty the moment she saw her.

"Yeah."

Zora's face was pale and clean, expressionless.

Wendy's heart fluttered. She stepped closer to take Zora's hand.

"Since you're here, apologize to Jolie. Don't just stand there like a statue. Raised in the countryside and you turn out like this—pushing people into pools? If something went wrong with Jolie, that's attempted murder. You could go to jail."

Anton glared at Zora, his voice cold, nothing like the softness he used for Jolie.

"Anton, it's okay. She doesn't have to apologize. I'm just glad she came to see me."

Jolie stared at Zora's face—so similar to Wendy's—and forced a gentle smile.

Zora stepped back, avoiding Wendy's hand. She ignored Jolie and looked steadily at Anton.

"I didn't push her."

Her voice was cool and distant, nothing like the soft girl they'd seen before.

Zora glanced around the room, her cold eyes sweeping over each face.

Her mother wanted her gone. Her father was fed up. Her eldest brother was distant and cold to her. Her second brother disliked her. Her third brother hated her.

None of her family loved her.

None of them believed her.

"If you didn't do it, did Jolie jump in on purpose to frame you? Zora, you're not just wild—you're a liar too. How could someone like you be part of this family?"

Anton's eyes narrowed, sharp and cold.

"What kind of person am I, exactly?

"Some hillbilly who can't stand anyone else being happy?

"Jealous? Petty? Mean?

"Sick of Jolie having everything?

"An embarrassment to the family?

"If you already think that about me... why did you bring me home at all?"

Zora felt Anton's hostility. She tilted her head, speaking slowly, quietly, without anger.

Her pretty face was empty. Her soft, lovely eyes were cold.

Only disappointment remained.

This family was so stupid.

Her words stunned everyone.

How did she know exactly what they thought of her?

"I said I didn't do it. Believe me or not. The pool has cameras. Are your eyes just for show? Why don't you check?"

The Knox family stiffened at Zora's words.

"I won't apologize for something I didn't do."

Zora's voice was flat, empty.

She wouldn't admit to what she hadn't done.

What did it matter if they didn't believe her? She'd stopped hoping. They never believed her anyway.

Still, a bitter ache twisted in her chest.

She missed her mentor.

He was the worst. Why did he leave her behind?

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she thought about him abandoning her.

Why did he send her here? She wouldn't love him anymore. He was terrible.

Holden caught the faint redness in Zora's eyes, and his heart tightened.

Zora already felt awful; the ache in her chest made her eyes shine even more, like she was about to cry.

The Knox family frowned at her teary expression, annoyed.

They hadn't even yelled—why was she about to cry?

Zora had no idea they thought she was crying.

If she knew, she would've snapped back that she'd never cry over them.

But she didn't realize how she looked. Her eyes burned, her nose felt stuffy, and her head spun.

She just wanted this over with and to leave.

She couldn't stand being in the same room. She felt suffocated.

She didn't like any of them.

Zora pulled a candy from her bag and popped it in her mouth. Sweet would chase away the bitter.

When her mentor came back, she'd scratch him good for leaving her.

"Yale, since there are cameras, have the housekeeper pull the footage. Then we'll know for sure if Zora pushed her. We can't wrongfully accuse anyone."

Holden turned to Yale, urgency in his tone.

That girl was already on the edge of crying. If they didn't clear her, who would deal with her tears?

"Mom, Dad, it really wasn't Zora. We were just talking by the pool, and I slipped. It was an accident. We don't need to bother the housekeeper—he's busy enough."

Jolie's face flickered with panic. She hadn't expected Zora to fight back, let alone mention the cameras.

Zora had actually used her brain.

"Let's check. So everyone stops accusing me."

Zora's voice was light but steady.

Yale studied Jolie's uneasy expression, then Zora's calm one.

He'd been in business long enough to see guilt written all over Jolie.

Something was definitely off.

"Enough. This ends here. There was probably a misunderstanding."

Yale rubbed his aching temple, speaking gently.

Jolie relaxed, relieved Yale hadn't ordered the footage.

Next time, she'd have to be smarter. Zora was getting trickier.

"Oh, right—with Jolie, everything gets brushed off. But if you think I did it, you treat me like a criminal and force me to apologize."

Zora looked up at Yale, who was trying to sweep it under the rug. Her pale lips curved into a mocking smile.

No use expecting anything from them.

Anton opened his mouth to argue, but Yale held him back. He followed Yale's gaze and saw Jolie's awkward look.

He frowned, uneasy.

"Zora, even if it was a misunderstanding, you were the one who brought Jolie to the pool. You're still responsible."

Anton snapped, meeting her disappointed, calm stare.

What does she have to be disappointed about? We're the ones let down.

She turned the whole house upside down since coming back.

"Sure. My fault. From now on, I'll stay miles away from your precious Jolie. That way, if she so much as loses a hair, it won't be my problem."

Zora's face didn't change—she was used to this.

"Zora, you've certainly developed a sharp tongue."

Anton was irritated by her new edge.

"You called me wild and rotten, didn't you? Being sharp-tongued fits the image you made for me. I might as well live up to it."

Zora gave a cold little smile.

In their eyes, she was just a country girl, unrefined, nothing like their perfect, raised-in-luxury Jolie.

She was a rough nobody compared to their princess.

"Zora, your brother was just joking."

Wayne stepped in, trying to smooth things over.

They might've really wronged their younger daughter.

"Well, I don't like jokes like that."

Zora's tone was blank.

Who liked being insulted and called a joke?

Wayne felt snubbed and fell silent.

"Zora..." Wendy whispered, her heart aching at how defensive and prickly Zora had become. She stepped closer, wanting to hug her.

The family hadn't even thought about the pool cameras. Embarrassment burned as they realized Zora had pointed it out and they'd ignored it.

They'd jumped to conclusions because Zora had "caused trouble" so often and picked on Jolie.

But thinking back—why had they been so certain it was Zora without even a glance at the footage?

Maybe there really was more to it.

"Thanks for taking me in. I'll move out."

Zora stepped back, avoiding Wendy. Her usually soft, pretty eyes held no warmth—only distance.

Dragging this out was useless. Their hearts would always favor Jolie. She wasn't raised here; she could never compare.

If they couldn't love her fully, she didn't want their love at all.

Her mentor had taught her: if someone didn't love her, she didn't need them.

Anyone who couldn't love her completely wasn't worth keeping.

Jolie's eyes lit up, hidden.

Zora's stupid enough to leave on her own.

Once she's gone, I'll make sure she never comes back.

Mom, Dad, and my brothers are all mine. Zora never should've come back. Why fix a mistake that worked perfectly?

Holden froze, catching a tiny smile on Jolie's lips. He blinked, thinking he'd imagined it.

Had he really seen her smile? Because Zora was leaving?

Jolie felt his stare, her heart jolting. She dropped the smile and looked sad.

Holden stared at her sorrowful face, convinced he'd been wrong.

"Zora, I already told Mom and Dad you didn't push me. They just haven't gotten to know you well, so they didn't believe you at first. Don't be mad at them. It's my fault—I didn't explain clearly enough."

Jolie spoke sweetly.

Holden felt a strange, off twinge in her words.

"Zora, Mom was just kidding. This is your home. Where would you go?"

Wendy's heart raced. She grabbed Zora's hand, forcing a gentle smile. Zora hadn't called her Mom once since walking in.

"I heard you. Don't trouble yourselves. This was never my home anyway."

Zora glanced at her warm expression, then looked away.

Since coming back, Wendy had felt guilty—but guilt wasn't love.

Maybe a little love existed, but it was mixed up with too many others. Zora didn't want that.

Jolie stared at Wendy's hand holding Zora's, biting her lip. Her fists tightened under the covers.

"Zora, Yale already said this is over. Jolie's not even upset, and she said it was a misunderstanding. Do you really have to run away? What are you throwing a fit for?"

Anton stood to the side, his eyes narrow with impatience.

He thought Zora was just being dramatic.

"Why do you think I'm throwing a fit at you? What makes you so sure I'd care enough to act out for you? Who even are you to me?"

Zora pulled her hand free from Wendy, frowning. She couldn't understand where Anton got his confidence.

They barely knew each other—she had no reason to throw a fit for him.

"Do you all think I'm just being childish? Why won't you ever listen to me?"

Zora turned to Wayne, Yale, and Holden.

All three looked pained, like they also thought she was being unreasonable.

They never listened. They just forced their ideas onto her.

Anton's face stiffened.

Did Zora just call him delusional?

Was she saying they weren't even worth her getting upset over?

Anger flared in him.

Zora's gotten bold, sharp-tongued, and completely unapologetic about her bad attitude.

No wonder no one in the family likes her.

"Zora, will you just say Mom? You haven't called me Mom since you came in."

Wendy felt her daughter pulling away. Zora had whispered "Mom" softly before, tentative and careful.

Now that warmth was gone.

Wendy's chest tightened.

Some motherly instinct told her Zora was disappointed.

Wendy's words made the men in the room freeze. She really hadn't said "Mom," "Dad," or any of their names since she arrived.

"It was a misunderstanding. We should've checked first. Zora, I'll increase your monthly allowance. Buy something you like."

Yale's face was sharp, his tone calm but distant—no real brotherly warmth.

He simply wanted to settle the matter quickly. He didn't want the family peace disrupted over this any longer.

Jolie's nails dug into her palms.

Why does Zora get more money just for throwing a tantrum?

I'm the one who has to beg and sweet-talk Mom and Dad for extra cash.

Zora glanced coldly around the room, then at Jolie's jealous stare.

She curled her lip. "I'm leaving."

They were so blind, so wrapped up in their perfect image of Jolie.

They couldn't see a thing.

Zora turned and walked out.

"Zora..."

Wendy started to follow, then looked at Jolie in the bed.

Jolie needed her. Zora was home—she could talk to her later.

Holden watched Zora leave, frowning. Something felt wrong. "I'll walk her out."

"Yes, go with her. Talk nicely. Take her to go shopping to cheer her up," Wendy urged.

"Zora's attitude gets worse every day," Anton scoffed.

Outside, Zora strode quickly. Holden chased after her, but she sped up, trying to shake him off.

The sight of them rushing together stung.

"Enough, Anton. Jolie said it was a misunderstanding. We wronged Zora today," Yale said with a sigh.

"Misunderstanding? What about all the times she bullied Jolie before?"

Anton thought of Jolie's odd expression earlier. He pressed his lips together and stared at the empty corridor.

No one spoke. Whether this time was a misunderstanding or not, Zora had indeed bullied Jolie before.

Jolie felt their dislike for Zora and smiled inwardly.

Zora can forget about stealing the Knox family from me.

A country rat belongs in the dirt, not in a princess' life she never earned.

...

"Zora, slow down! You in a hurry to die or something?"

Holden couldn't believe how fast she moved for such short legs. He caught up.

"Stop following me. Go back to your precious Jolie."

Zora frowned, annoyed at the nuisance behind her.

Ugh, he's so annoying.

Why won't he just leave me alone?

"Zora, are you jealous? Jealous we care about Jolie more than you?"

Holden blocked her path, staring down. His teammates had said: If you have two sisters, never favor one—the other gets jealous.

Zora fit exactly.

At just five feet two, Zora looked tiny next to Holden's six-foot-plus frame.

He stared at the two little swirls on top of her head.

Kind of cute.

He'd heard people with two swirls had bad tempers.

Seemed true—Zora's was awful.

"Quit bothering me! Move, or I'll hit you!"

Zora was furious, her naturally soft voice sharp with frustration.

She felt terrible and just wanted to move and rest.

She clenched her fists, fighting dizziness.

She had a fever.

"Hit me? You barely reach my chest. Such a temper."

Holden mocked, holding a hand from his chest down to her head.

Tiny potato.

"Move!"

Zora glared up, her eyes red, cheeks flaming.

Then everything went black.

"Zora!"