No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle heard the familiar voice and turned to see Cedric walking toward her.

She was taken aback. "When did you come to Yasnia?"

She never imagined she would run into Cedric here.noveldrama

Cedric's expression softened when he reached her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine; nothing happened," Noelle said, beaming as she linked her arm with Cedric's. "Let's go."

"Stop right there!" Donovan interrupted, glaring at Noelle. "If you dare leave, you'll be considered a fugitive when the police arrive."

Xenia slowly got up from the floor, crying out, "Donovan, you saw it! I just wanted to convince Noelle to apologize and come back to the family. I didn't expect her to get angry and push me down the stairs!"

It was only then that Donovan noticed Xenia. He quickly walked over and helped

her up.

With a cold expression, he said, "Xenia, don't worry. I'll make sure you get justice."

Then, he turned to James and barked, "Call the police now!"

Despite the pain, Xenia continued to feign distress, adding, "Donovan, if the police come, Noelle will have a criminal record. Let's not go that far. She just needs to apologize."

Donovan's heart softened as he saw how gracious and understanding Xenia appeared. He turned to Noelle and snapped, "Did you hear that? Despite everything, Xenia is worried about you having a criminal record.

"Look at what you've done! Is this how I raised you?"

Just then, someone covered her ears. Startled, she looked up to meet Cedric's gentle and deep gaze.

Cedric softly whispered, "Don't listen to them; it's all trash."

Noelle's heart skipped a beat. The emotions she had kept hidden suddenly flooded out, nearly overwhelming her.

A sweet feeling spread through her chest as though her heart had been filled with honey. She had tried to control her feelings for Cedric, but it was getting harder with him around.

"Noelle, are you ignoring me? Are you deaf?" Donovan asked.

Noelle snapped out of her reverie with a soft click of her tongue. She coldly stared at Donovan and Xenia. "My hearing is perfectly fine, but maybe some people need to get their eyes checked."

"If you kneel and apologize to Xenia before the police get here, we won't press charges," Donovan said, offering her a way out.

After all, he was her brother. Even though she had disappointed him, he didn't want her to have a criminal record.

Noelle found his words utterly laughable. It was the same condescending attitude she had always faced from the Liddells. They had never changed.

With a mocking smile, she replied, "Are you asking me to apologize to Xenia again? Was I born to apologize to her?"

"I'm doing this for you!" Donovan said, trying to justify his actions.

Noelle sneered, "Oh, really? For me? How noble. Honestly, it just disgusts me."

Donovan's face twitched in frustration. "Noelle, I'm giving you a chance!"

Cedric interrupted firmly, "She doesn't need anyone's chances."

"Noelle, do you think you can act like this just because you have him backing you up? This is Yasnia not thatsmall town of yours," Donovan snapped.

Noelle raised an eyebrow. "You keep calling it a small town, but remember that, Donovan: you're from there, too. Don't forget where you came from."

At that moment, Noelle realized how much Donovan had changed. Yasnia really had a way of clouding people's judgment.

Cedric looked down at her. "If you're uncomfortable, we can leave. I'll handle this."

Noelle shook her head. She turned to Donovan and said coldly, "No need for that. If you want to wait for the police, go ahead.

"I'm not running away. By the way, you said intentionally injuring someone would leave a criminal record, right?"