No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

The moment Noelle asked the question, she regretted it. Even though she liked Cedric, he already had a girlfriend. She couldn't bring herself to be the third party in someone else's relationship.

Cedric paused for a moment. "Why are you asking that?"

"Can't I ask? Dating isn't some kind of secret; there's no need to keep it hidden, right?"

He felt uneasy under her gaze. "I don't have a girlfriend."

"Really? But Alfred mentioned before that you had one."

Noelle's heart skipped a beat.noveldrama

Cedric's throat moved slightly. "It didn't work out; we're not together."

The plan was to pretend he had a girlfriend, but Noelle kept asking, and he couldn't keep lying in front of her. He didn't want just to find any woman to make things easier. He didn't want to see her disappointed and upset.

His expression remained unchanged, but inside, his feelings had already started to shift.

"So you're not together? Does that mean you're single now?"

When Noelle heard this, her heart raced.

She had been hesitating—if Cedric already had a girlfriend, she had no right to confess. But if he was single, that changed everything. Cedric saw the light in her eyes, and it felt like something pierced his heart.

He lowered his gaze. "I'm still pursuing her."

Noelle's expression froze for a moment. "Still pursuing? Does she have such high standards that she can't see how great you are?"

The little spark in her heart that had just flared up was instantly extinguished. She thought she might have had a chance, but Cedric liked that woman so much that he still chased her even after being rejected.

She quickly adjusted her mood. "Actually, I could advise you and analyze why you haven't won her over yet."

Noelle spoke the words absentmindedly. After all, it wasn't what she really meant. She didn't want him to win that woman over.

Sensing the dark emotions within herself, she quickly stood up. "I'm going to the restroom."

She hurried to the restroom, looking at her reflection in the mirror with slightly reddened eyes. Splashing cold water on her face, she tried to calm herself.

Outside, Cedric watched her

retreating figure, feeling a little regretful about his words. This was a delicate balance to maintain. He could see through her feelings immediately, but he could only step

back

and avoid it.

At that moment, Noelle came out of the restroom, lowered her head, and sat back at the table.

Cedric noticed she hadn't touched her food. "Aren't you eating?"

"Of course I am. After all, today is the perfect day to celebrate my housewarming."

She seemed lost in thought, staring blankly at the man across from her. "Cedric, what if you never win over that woman?"

"I don't know. Let's see what happens in the future," he casually replied.

Noelle saw his expression and figured he couldn't let go of that woman. She suddenly felt a little envious.

After finishing the meal, she glanced at the time. "How about you come with me this afternoon to pick out some home supplies? We can also buy a few pairs of shoes for you. That way, you'll have something to wear when you visit."

"For me?" Cedric's voice was deep, laced with a hint of teasing.

Noelle's face reddened, and she turned her head away. "Well, they might not be for you. If I start dating someone in the future, maybe I'll bring my boyfriend here."

His expression darkened. "Don't casually bring men back to where you live."

"And what about you?"