No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

"That's right. Every time Xenia shamelessly brought that congee over, Mr. Liddell barely touched it," James replied.

Noelle glanced at the mess on the floor. "But from the looks of it... it doesn't seem like he didn't touch it at all."

She didn't hesitate to expose Frank's lie. In fact, she'd never cared whether they favored Xenia. Yet they kept pretending to be fair and acted like they weren't playing favorites while desperately covering up the truth.

Frank's expression flashed with a mixture of emotions. If Noelle had to describe it in one sentence, it was the look of someone caught cheating.

James quickly tried to smooth things over. "To Mr. Liddell, you're his only sister. Xenia can never take your place, no matter how much she tries to please him."

Noelle replied, "To be honest, I don't care about who's important to anyone. I came here today because I have something to discuss."

She glanced at James. "James, please step outside and stand guard. I don't want a certain someone eavesdropping."

Noelle dared not underestimate Xenia. She'd lost miserably in her past life, and it was highly likely that Sean had secretly helped behind the scenes.

After James left, Frank asked, "What is it, Noelle? If it's something I can do, I'll help."

"It's simple. Mom and Dad made a verbal will before they passed, and you were there. I need you to testify that it happened."

That was why Noelle came to the hospital today to get Frank to testify for the verbal will.

Frank sighed in relief. "Oh, I thought it was something more serious. Mom and Dad did mention which assets were meant for you, and the only reason you didn't get them was because you weren't of age.

"Now that you're an adult, you should get what's rightfully yours."

Noelle felt much more at ease after hearing that.

"I disagree." The door slammed open as Donovan entered with a grim expression.

It was clear he'd just rushed over.

Xenia stood at the door and was too afraid to step in.

Donovan's voice was sharp and forceful. "You now have one choice, Noelle, and that is to drop the lawsuit. If you do, I'll let go of what you did and give you your share of the inheritance."

"How could you do that, Donovan? That was Noelle's, to begin with."

Donovan scoffed. "Don't forget; if ! hadn't worked so hard to build up the Liddell family business, all Mom and Dad would've left her was debt. She wouldn't have gotten a single dollar.

"Why shouldn't I have the final say?"

At this, Xenia chimed in with a soft bitchy voice, "Donovan, maybe I should just return the foundation to Noelle."

"What's there to return? What's given to you is yours," Donovan snapped.

Then, he turned to look at Noelle. "Didn't you act like you didn't care when we spoke on the phone? Why are you here now begging Frank for help? Don't you find it

embarrassing?"

Noelle didn't back down. "I'm here to take back what's mine. You're the one who should be embarrassed, not me."

Donovan was just trying to intimidate Noelle from the start, and his argument was flawed. His temper flared now that he was cornered.

"I can't believe you're so stubborn, Noelle! You've ruined the Liddell family, and you have no right to get the inheritance!"

Frank immediately stopped him. "Why would you say something so harsh? It's Lucas and Blake's fault, and that has nothing to do with Noelle."

"I understand they did the wrong thing! I don't need you to tell me that!"

Donovan yanked his tie

in

frustration

and continued, "I've made them

apologize to Noelle, but

she refuses

.n

give them. That's why I'm so mad!"

to forgive them. That tion

Noelle let out a short, cold laugh. "Oh, so if you hurt someone, all you have to do

is apologize? Is that enough?"

"What else do you want? I can have them make it up to you later. All I ask is that you stand with the Liddells right now.

"This is just a small compromise. If you won't even do that, how dare you call yourself a Liddell?"

"You're right. I've never wanted to be a part of the Liddell family either."

With that, Noelle turned and stepped out of the ward, but Blake blocked her path.

"Noelle, if you compromise on my lawsuit, I'll testify for you. I'll help you win back Mom and Dad's inheritance; how does that sound?"noveldrama