No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

"It's a message from Frank," Noelle said. "He knows the security footage is damaged and says he'll clear things up with the police. Anyways, I don't care."

The Liddells were experts at winning people over with small favors, but she wasn't about to be swayed, let alone turn back. Cedric saw the determination in her expression and knew she wouldn't be easily bullied, even if she had to live alone in Yasnia.

After sending the message, Frank tried calling Noelle again. However, no one picked up.

He thought that Noelle would at least pick up the phone and listen to him after receiving his message. However, she didn't even answer his call.

Donovan scoffed. "What's the matter? Is Noelle too guilty to pick up?"

"Donovan, Noelle's not like that. Besides, given the circumstances, you can't just take Xenia's word for it and blame Noelle," Frank replied firmly.

"Frank, I think you've been brainwashed by Noelle. Xenia is injured like this, and you're still saying Noelle's not at fault? I'm starting to suspect Noelle had something to do with the surveillance camera being broken," Donovan retorted.noveldrama

He had expected the surveillance footage to clear everything up, yet the cameras malfunctioned at such a crucial moment.

Xenia coughed dramatically. "Donovan, let's just drop it. I don't want to press the issue any further."

She couldn't help but feel relieved. The broken camera was a blessing in disguise. She had already thought of how to justify herself, but now she didn't need to.

If the footage had been restored, she could have been in trouble.

Donovan was pleased with how magnanimous Xenia was. "You're just too kind."

Yet, Frank wasn't convinced. "Xenia, are you sure it was Noelle who pushed you down the stairs?"

Xenia stammered, "Y-yes, that's right."

"According to your description, Noelle was at the bottom of the stairs, and you were at the top. How could she have pushed you down?" Frank questioned. Xenia's explanation didn't make sense.

She lowered her head nervously. "I just wanted to talk to Noelle, but she suddenly got emotional and yanked me, causing me to lose balance."

"Didn't you say Noelle pushed you down the stairs?" Frank pressed, noticing the inconsistency in her story.

If Noelle had really yanked her, why hadn't she mentioned that word instead of "push"? It didn't add up.

Xenia panicked. She was afraid Frank would catch onto the discrepancy. She faked a cough, hoping to cover her tracks.

Donovan interrupted, "Frank, what's with all the questioning? This feels like an interrogation."

"I just want to get to the truth," Frank insisted.

"Can't you see? The two of them had a conflict, and one thing led to another. It's not that complicated," Donovan said dismissively.

Frank was exhausted. "Donovan, you can't just blame Noelle. This isn't right."

"Enough. You've been brainwashed by Noelle and are just enabling her," Donovan shot back.

Frank stormed out of the room, feeling frustrated and upset. Why couldn't Donovan just believe what he was saying?

He was starting to realize that Xenia wasn't as innocent as she appeared. Seeing how biased Donovan was against Noelle reminded him of how he used to act, and he now understood why Noelle had left the Liddell family so decisively.

After thinking for a while, Frank pulled out his phone and sent another message. "Noelle, if you ever need anything while you're on your own in Yasnia, don't hesitate to reach out to me."

Noelle's phone rang again, but she didn't even glance at it. She felt conflicted.

She could still feel her heart flutter

from the moment Cedric had covered her ears, protecting her from Donovan's harsh words back in the restaurant. Now that she was in university, she felt it might

start considering her own

nome to

relationships.

Noticing Noelle's distracted expression, Cedric raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking about?"

Noelle's gaze flickered. "Did you come to Yasnia to see your girlfriend?"