The Real Heiress's New Family Adored By All novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Check the Cameras, Drop It

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.

For tod

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?

14:49

Mon, May 25

Chapter 4 Check the Cameras, Drop It

Finished

“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.

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14:45 Mon, May 25 MO

Chapter 4 Check the Cameras. Drop It

Finishart

“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.

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14:45 Mon, May 25 MA

Chapter 4 Check the Cameras, Drop It

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.

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14:4

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The Real Heiress’s New Family Adored by All