Chapter 645: The Impossible

Zoey returned to the lab, where the professors greeted her with fantastic news: the h5 serum had made significant progress and was now just one step away from completion.

It could be done in as little as a week or as long as a month.

Zoey couldn't help but feel excited. Her initial goal in researching this serum for her PhD was to cure her mentor's illness.

"Thanks, everyone, for all your hard work. I'll be joining you in the final phase of the h5 serum research to make sure it hits the market ASAP."

"That's awesome!"

Everyone was thrilled, and Ruben seemed to see through Zoey's mask to the face behind it.

"With your help, we'll definitely complete this groundbreaking experiment in record time."

"Should we go out and celebrate? Last time we tried, you left halfway through, and none of us enjoyed the meal."

Zoey understood the desire to go out for a meal before diving into the sleepless nights of intense research.

"Dinner's on me."

The group of seasoned professors cheered like kids.

The celebration dinner went smoothly without any issues. After Zoey paid the bill, the professors headed home.

Zoey was about to leave when she spotted some familiar faces she hadn't seen in a while.

Timothy, Hazel, and Luna.

They noticed Zoey, too.

Zoey initially planned to ignore them, but Timothy spoke up, "Did you know your grandmother passed away recently?"

Zoey was taken aback.

Timothy's face was stern. "I called you numerous times, but couldn't reach you. What were you doing? Do you not care about your own grandmother? She was so good to you, yet she couldn't see you before she died."

"When did she pass away?"

"Three days ago."

"I was on a mission in the contaminated zone three days ago."

Timothy was unimpressed. "What mission could be more important than your grandmother? She loved you so much, and you abandoned her for a mission!"

"I was stuck in the contaminated zone and couldn't leave."

"Excuses, all of them!"

Hazel looked at Zoey with disappointment. "I never thought you'd be this kind of person. It's one thing to be distant from your father and me, but your grandmother adored you. She always spoke highly of you. She opposed sending you to the countryside."

"Mom, don't be sad. Grandma's gone, Grandpa's sick, and now it's up to you and Dad to hold the family together."

Zoey understood.

"No wonder you all gathered together again."

She remembered Marvin explicitly saying Luna couldn't stay with the King family.

Timothy snapped, "I'm proud to have Luna as my daughter. Why shouldn't she stay? She deserves to be here!"

"Yes, Luna is truly exceptional. She's with Dominic's son now, and they're about to get engaged."

Luna blushed.

A tall, handsome man walked in, greeted Luna, and she immediately clung to his arm.

"Why are you so late? My parents have been waiting for you."

It sounded like a complaint, but it was really a playful tease.

"I didn't ask you to wait."

The man shrugged.

Then he turned and saw Zoey, his eyes lighting up.

"And who is this?"

Luna felt a pang of jealousy. "This is my sister, though we don't see each other often. It's a surprise to run into her here. So, she's your sister too."

The man extended a hand to Zoey.

"Hey there."

Zoey turned and walked away.

Instead of being offended, the man was intrigued and followed her.

"Wait up! Let me introduce myself. I'm Alfonso Gray. I have an older brother, but my dad doesn't take him seriously. My dad said he'd pass his position to me. Miss, are you into research? Ever heard of the Institute for Global Strategy and Analysis?"

His approach was enthusiastic and warm.

Luna was furious and tried to pull him back, but Alfonso pushed her away.

Zoey reached the restaurant's entrance and saw a familiar black car parked outside. Henry stepped out.

"I'm here to take you home."

Zoey smiled. "I told you, you don't need to pick me up. I can drive myself."

Her smile left Alfonso stunned.

Her smile was like a blooming flower, unforgettable.

The King family followed, seeing Alfonso's captivated expression, and Timothy exploded with anger.

"Zoey!"

Timothy's roar attracted a crowd.

"You're hopeless. You always compete with your sister. You already have a fiancé, why are you trying to steal her man?"

Zoey frowned. "Watch your words. I'm not interested in someone else's man."

"You say you're not interested, but look at Alfonso. His eyes haven't left you!" Timothy's voice boomed.

Luna felt humiliated.

But more than that, she felt wronged and angry.

"Zoey, I know you don't like me, but even if you hate me, you can't steal my man. That's being a homewrecker, morally corrupt, and deserving of public scorn."

Alfonso scoffed, "Stop talking nonsense. I'm not your man."

"You said differently at my house!"

Luna's tearful eyes didn't need many words to make the onlookers imagine the worst.

If there was no relationship, why visit her house?

A high-end restaurant, parents present—clearly meeting the family.

"You've got it all wrong. Zoey is my fiancée."

Henry held Zoey's hand, showing off their love.

"My fiancée and I have a great relationship. She came to the restaurant to treat the lab professors, and it has nothing to do with you. If my fiancée were interested in your man, why would she let me pick her up?"

He couldn't stand anyone insulting Zoey.

He had to defend her honor.

"I warn you, if you continue to slander my fiancée, I'll sue you for defamation."

The King family trembled with anger.

Henry wasn't done. "Instead of barking here, you should go home and check something."

"Check what?"

Timothy was confused.

Henry showed him his phone.

The screen displayed their company's stock price, plummeting rapidly.

Timothy's face turned pale. "Did you do this?"

Henry smiled coldly. "This is just a small punishment for disrespecting my fiancée."

Timothy stormed off.

Hazel and Luna hurried after him.

Alfonso wanted to linger, but received a call from his father. He hung up, reluctantly looking at Zoey.

"My dad's hosting a family dinner tonight, so I have to go. Sorry, I can't stay. Can I get your number? I'll call you next time."

Zoey frowned. "I have a fiancé."

"So what? You're not married yet. Even if you were, we could still develop something. It's all about free love."

Henry's expression darkened.

"Sorry, but I won't let my fiancée have free love with other men."