No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Cedric extended his hand, and his gaze was deep and unwavering. Noelle pressed her lips together and felt a flutter of excitement. Then, she placed her hand in his and looked up.

"Thank you for appearing in my life at that moment, Cedric."

He hadn't been too early or too late-just right. She sneezed after she spoke. "It's a little chilly up in the mountains."

"It's getting late. Let me take you back." Cedric held her hand, and they walked out together.

Noelle glanced down at their intertwined fingers and felt warmth blooming in her heart. After leaving the Liddells, she was no longer alone; she now had friends and a lover.

The trip took longer than expected. By the time Noelle arrived at the dorm, she had to sprint for fear that she wouldn't make it in time. As she gasped for breath after rushing in, she noticed a text from Cedric.

"If you didn't get in, I'm here waiting for you."

"Made it in the last minute. I'm exhausted."

Collapsing into her chair, she panted and took deep breaths. Who would end a date by running like a madwoman?

Grace handed her a cup of water. "How was the date?"

"It was nice. We made our relationship official today," Noelle said, taking a sip of water as she finally caught her breath.

"It's that guy who gave you the medicine, right? I told you he liked you, but you denied it back then."

Noelle chuckled. "I'll treat the entire team to coffee tomorrow."

After washing up, she lay in bed and tapped on her chat window with Cedric. "What are you doing?"

"Just got home. Sleep early."

Cedric parked his car outside the Greene residence and strode in after sending the text. Anastasia was waiting for him on the couch.

"You're back. You had Magnus publicly clarify things with the Merlock family, so it looks like you're serious about that lady, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Any ordinary lady would be fine, but she's the only one who won't do. That's unless you tell her the whole truth, and she's okay with it. I won't object if that's the case."

Cedric lowered his gaze and fell silent. "I need time."

"I'll give you one month. If you don't handle it well, I'll step in myself." Her expression was firm. She hadnoveldrama

absolute authority as the matriarch, and she didn't want to see both

children get hurt.

Anastasia let out a long sigh. Why did it have to be Noelle? Such a tangled fate.

...

The next morning, Noelle went to class in a great mood. The blue sky was clear, and she took a picture to send to Cédric. Just as she tapped on the send button, she spotted Xenia strutting toward her in head-to-toe designer clothes, her handbag swinging arrogantly.

That outfit must've cost a fortune.

Xenia paused beside her on purpose. She said, "Thanks to you for setting Blake against me, Noelle. Donovan has now put me in charge of Hopeful Hearts Foundation."

Hopeful Hearts Foundation? Noelle's expression changed instantly. "What right does Donovan have to do that?"

That foundation was created by their parents and was supposed to belong to her. How did it end up in Xenia's hands?

Xenia smirked and flaunted her expensive handbag. "Donovan said it's compensation for the suffering I endured. If you have a problem with it, ask him yourself."

She'd endured so much and gotten beaten, so she was rightfully entitled to some compensation. The Liddells owed her, after all! With that, Xenia clicked her heels and walked away.

Furious, Noelle immediately called Donovan. "Did you give Xenia Hopeful Hearts Foundation?"

"Yes. It was meant for you, but since you refused to behave and stirred up chaos in the Liddell family, consider this a small lesson."