No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Xenia seized the chance to say, "Donovan, calm down..."

"Shut up! You all causing trouble is the reason I'm this upset!" Donovan lashed out at her as well before storming out in a fury.

Xenia hadn't expected him to be this rattled while Blake sneered. "Donovan has always been proud. Now that Noelle has exposed his secret, it's no surprise that he can't take it."

Frank agreed. He'd known about the engagement with the Cantrell family but never brought it up for the sake of Donovan's dignity.

Xenia clutched her sore cheek and pitifully said, "Noelle has been with the poor man for so long, Frank. What if he deceives and takes advantage of her?"

Frank's expression darkened. He'd definitely stop that from happening.

But Blake retorted, "At least Noelle has money. You, on the other hand, threw yourself at Justin despite having nothing. You know what that's called? A gold- digger."

With that, he walked away.

Xenia seethed. She turned to Frank for help, but he simply said, "Blake's right. You should have some self-respect. A family like the Parhams is beyond your reach."

Her eyes turned red with anger, but Frank, Blake, and Lucas had all walked away. No one was left to defend her, and no one cared.

At that moment, Xenia was more convinced than ever that Sean had been right. She had no blood ties to the Liddells, and to them, Noelle was their only sister. In that case, they shouldn't blame her for what was coming.

...

The next morning, Noelle woke up early and saw Frank in the main hall. He turned to her and said, "The others have left for the event site. I stayed behind so we could go together."

Noelle nodded and went straight to the dining area for breakfast.

Hesitating, Frank walked over and asked, "Does that man treat you that well?"

"He was the only one by my side when you all mistreated me, and he's no country bumpkin."

Again, Frank hesitated and said, "Let's set up a meeting so we can talk."

"No need. Because to me, your

don't matter at all." Noelle's

consider herself part of the Liddells and didn't see them as her brothers.

Seeing the coldness in her expression, Frank dared not say more.

After breakfast, Noelle headed to the venue of the charity sales event, only to see Xenia draped in luxury brands from head to toe. She flaunted her freshly manicured nails and was arrogantly bossing staff around.

Noelle looked over and scanned the extravagantly decorated venue. "Xenia, are you out of your mind? Didn't I tell you to change the venue?"

"There wasn't enough time. Plus, I think it looks great." Xenia smugly continued, "You don't understand a thing, Noelle. Just leave it to me."noveldrama

Noelle reached out to yank the fur coat off Xenia and threw it onto the floor.

Xenia gasped as her heart ached. "What are you doing? That's real fur! It's expensive!"

"This is a charity sales event, not some wealth-flaunting competition. Now that you've dressed up like some influencer, what kind of image does that give our foundation?"

Frank's expression darkened as she commanded, "Change your clothes, Xenia.

From now on, follow Noelle's instructions."

"But I'm in charge of this event!" Xenia protested.

Frank shot a cold look at the event manager. "Drive Xenia out. From now on, everyone follows Noelle's lead. She's the true owner of the foundation."

"No one is allowed to throw her out!" Arriving with a large group, Donovan turned to glare at Noelle.

He continued, "I know you can't stand Xenia and want her out of the Liddell family, but aren't you being a little too impatient? I'm not dead yet!"