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Chapter 8 The Sacred License Plate Number 7

Daniel's punch, a thunderous blast of rage, aimed right for Zoey's shoulder. Everyone shut their eyes, bracing for impact, unable to bear the sight of her blood splattering.

But the expected scream of pain never came. Silence filled the air. Slowly opening their eyes, everyone was shocked to see Zoey, cool as a cucumber, casually deflecting Daniel's fist. His massive fist, almost as big as her head, just hung there in mid-air.

Daniel was stunned too, but he quickly got his act together, dropped the arrogance, and swung again. But just like before, Zoey blocked it with ease. Daniel gritted his teeth and went for a kick.

Zoey wasn't one to meet force with force. In a fight, she was all about using softness to counter hardness and vice versa, always catching her opponent off guard.

Daniel had never faced anyone like her. No matter how hard he tried, his attacks were effortlessly deflected, while her seemingly gentle moves packed a serious punch.

He prided himself on his pain tolerance, but after a few hits, he was done. And he hadn't even laid a finger on Zoey!

After a few more moves, he was on the losing end, and Zoey lightly tapped the back of his neck.

He staggered, and dropped to one knee, feeling a sharp pain and numbness in his neck, as if all his strength had been drained.

The place was dead silent. James, his face lit up with excitement, was the first to clap, "Bravo!"

The stunned crowd snapped out of it and started clapping, their hands turning red.

Zoey extended her hand to Daniel, "You're not bad, you can take a hit."

The other disciples who sparred with Zoey couldn't last a single move, but Daniel took several hits from her. His build wasn't just for show.

Daniel took her hand and got up, "Your moves... they seem familiar."

Zoey kept a straight face, "My moves are a mix of the best martial arts techniques."

"No, no, that's not it. Your mysterious moves are just like that person's..."

Zoey's eyelid twitched, "No, you're mistaken."

But Daniel was sure he wasn't wrong. However, seeing her clear and indifferent eyes, he held back his excitement and changed his tune, "Yeah... I must be mistaken."

Zoey lowered her eyes and secretly sighed in relief.

Before leaving Whispering Pines Village, Zoey's master had told her not to reveal her lineage, and she had almost slipped up because of this guy.

Zoey became famous after this fight. A bunch of usually very authoritative people surrounded her, asking about her combat techniques.

Zoey, feeling overwhelmed and thinking of an excuse to escape, saw Kennedy excitedly approaching and grabbing her arm. "Master!"

Zoey raised an eyebrow, "What did you call me?"

"Master, please take me as your disciple! I'm sorry for what I did before." Kennedy, a girl of great humility, knelt before Zoey, pleading earnestly. "I've always dreamed of becoming a martial arts master, but I've never met a master I admired. Please take me as your disciple!"

Zoey helplessly rubbed her forehead, "Sorry, I don't take disciples."

Teaching disciples was too exhausting. She didn't have time for that.

"Master..." Kennedy kept pleading.

James laughed beside them, "Kennedy, you just called her a fraud."

Kennedy shot back confidently, "Sometimes, you need a little fire to forge a strong bond. If this master didn't show her true strength, she would definitely be underestimated. Now I truly admire her!"

James and Kennedy were both equally stubborn, and they didn't care about losing face.

Zoey had a headache. As her phone buzzed, she didn't even look at the screen. A ready excuse sprang to her lips, "I have something to do, I have to go." She hurried out, leaving the others behind.

Before anyone could react, Zoey was already gone.

Back home, Zoey checked her messages.

Henry: [Grandpa wants you to come home for dinner tomorrow. I'll pick you up.]

Zoey replied: [Okay.]

The next day, as soon as school ended, Zoey was waiting at the school gate, only to be blocked by Vivienne and a group of people.

Vivienne clung to a tall, skinny guy in designer clothes, smoking a cigarette with a smug look. When he saw Zoey's fresh, makeup-free face, his eyes lit up. "You're Zoey? Not bad, you're pretty cute."

Vivienne's face darkened for a second, then she pouted, "Robert, she's the one who humiliated me in front of everyone. You gotta help me get back at her. If you do, I'll agree to your... request."

Rich kid Robert Davis dated Vivienne for her looks, but she kept him hooked without ever agreeing to sleep with him. Now, to get back at Zoey, she was ready to go all out.

Robert gave her a hard kiss, "Alright, I'll take care of her for you."

Robert had a few guys with him, all part of his gang. They all eyed Zoey with sleazy looks.

Zoey looked at them coldly, "Just spit it out, what do you want?"

Robert, finding her even more attractive with that icy demeanor, said, "I'm a guy who respects women, but you messed with my girl, so I gotta set things right. How about this, you kneel and apologize, admit you were wrong, and be Vivienne's servant for a few days. Once she's happy, we're done."

Zoey smirked, "What if I say no?"

"It's not up to you." Robert flicked his cigarette to the ground and waved his hand.

One of his guys, with a creepy grin, reached out to touch Zoey's face. "Come on, sweetie, let me show you some love."

Zoey grabbed his wrist effortlessly. The guy turned red, unable to move or pull his hand back.

Zoey twisted his wrist with a snap, making the guy scream in pain as he retreated, clutching his now-bent wrist.

Robert's face twisted in anger, "You've got some skills, huh? No wonder you're so cocky. What are you waiting for? Get her! Strip her down! Let's see how tough she is then!"

The guys snapped out of their shock and charged at her.

Zoey had sparred with Daniel out of respect. But these guys? She wouldn't even waste her time on them.

'Let's wrap this up,' she thought.

A sleek black luxury car rolled up behind the crowd, its unique license plate displaying a single number—7, symbolizing perfection.

That plate was a fortune, one-of-a-kind in the whole country. Everyone knew it belonged to Henry Phillips, heir to the Phillips fortune.

The car door opened, and Henry stepped out, leaning lazily against the car. Seeing the scene, he raised an eyebrow. "What's going on here?"

Vivienne's eyes widened. The guy was drop-dead gorgeous, with a cold, indifferent look. His tall, imposing figure screamed nobility and laziness. If she could snag him and become Mrs. Phillips...

"Mr. Phillips, hi, I'm Vivienne..." Vivienne tossed her hair seductively, but Henry walked right past her without a glance.

"Why are you so slow?" Henry asked, a bit impatient.

Zoey replied coolly, "I've been waiting at the gate for almost 10 minutes. You're the one who's slow."

"Traffic jam..." Henry muttered. He wanted to be quick, but he couldn't run red lights. He valued his life.

Vivienne, feeling ignored, blocked their way, "You're not going anywhere!"

Before Zoey could say anything, Henry said playfully, "Oh, really?"

"She bullied me, I want her to apologize!" Vivienne's face was set, like she was the victim of some great injustice.

"Did you cause this mess?" Henry looked at Zoey, a bit annoyed. He always thought she lacked respect, and now she was causing trouble.

Zoey shrugged, "I was just trying to help."

Henry didn't know what kind of heroic deed this slender girl could pull off, but he didn't want to waste time here. His eyes locked on Robert. "Are you gonna let us pass?"

Robert opened his mouth, but under Henry's intense gaze, he couldn't speak and started sweating.

Henry clicked his tongue, remembering the sleazy look Robert had given Zoey. His face turned cold, and he kicked Robert in the stomach.

"Ah!" Robert screamed, flying backward with a sickening thud. He landed ten feet away, crumpled on the ground, and didn't move.

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