No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Cedric's expression returned to its usual calm as he set his phone down. "I'll be home for dinner tonight."

On the other end, Noelle received Cedric's brief message. She couldn't help but think how he was still so sparing with his words.

After the investment summit ended, Noelle packed up and got ready to leave. Frank and Lucas walked over, both wearing cautious and somewhat fawning expressions.

Frank carefully said, "Noelle, you're here in Yasnia all alone, and it's still before school starts. It's not convenient for you to live by yourself. Why don't you stay with us?"

Lucas quickly nodded. "Yeah, we have a house here in Yasnia. We'll give you the biggest room. Xenia won't have a share."

Without Xenia in Yasnia, they could finally be kind to Noelle and make up for their past wrongdoings.

Noelle smirked slightly. "No need. I've just bought a house here in Yasnia myself. Leave that room for Xenia. After all, her father did a lot for the Liddell family.

"Lucas, you shouldn't be so petty. How would it look if word got out about how you treat your family?" Noelle wore a look of mockery, deliberately taunting them with her words.

Her remark left Lucas a little shaken. "Yasnia's real estate is so expensive. How could you afford it? Did that school doctor buy it for you?"

Noelle shot back, "Watch your words. I earned that money myself. As a top streamer at Firestorm, my signing bonus was in the millions. What's wrong with buying a house?"

How could he forget that Noelle was now a major figure in Firestorm, with her game guides used by professional teams?

Frank quickly tried to smooth things over. "Noelle, Lucas is just concerned. He didn't mean anything by it."

"Enough," Noelle cut him off. "I don't need your concern, especially not when it's laced with malice. Leaving the Liddell family was the best decision I've ever made. I'll only get better from here."

Noelle slung her bag over her shoulder and walked off, unwilling to deal with the Liddells. In the past, she had gone out of her way to please them, but they never paid her any attention. Now that she was thriving and had cut ties with them, they wouldn't stop chasing after her.

The tables had turned, and she couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't seen this clearly in her past life.

Frank sighed as he watched Noelle walk away. "Kalmost forgot that

Noelle is a big streamer for

venet

Firestorm. Over the summer, her fanbase exploded, and her

livestream stats have been amazing.

I heard she's even planning to join

the national team."

Lucas looked down regretfully. "It's my fault. If I had done better, Noelle wouldn't

have been hurt and joined Firestorm Entertainment."

He regretted it now. After their

defeat in the finals, Noelle had been absent and his team had crumbled.

Without her, the team couldn't even

stay afloat. His so-called pride seemed laughable now.

He sighed in defeat. "Frank, I finally understand what you meant. I always thought we were the

important ones, but now, I see it-we needed her more than she ever needed us."

Frank shook his head, also regretting his past actions.

After the event, Noelle met Alfred outside. She noticed he was wearing a cap and a mask.

"Alfred, are you trying to hide from the paparazzi?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.noveldrama

"No, I just have a cold and didn't want to pass it to you," Alfred lied. In fact, he was worried about being recognized.

Noelle gave him a sideways glance. "You say you have a stomach issue. Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No, I'll be fine with some medicine. You're heading back to the house you bought, right?"

"Yes," she replied.

"I need to handle some company matters. You can head back first, and I'll reach out if anything comes up," Alfred said.

Noelle nodded, then suddenly asked, "By the way, when is Cedric coming to Yasnia?"