Fake Heiress Reborn Drops Masks Finds Family (Noelle and Sebastian) novel Chapter 380

Chapter 380 Willpower

Chapter 380 Willpower

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“Impulse? Loyalty?” Brandon let out a bitter, icy laugh and jabbed a finger at the screen. “He’s out of control! For Sebastian’s sake, he’s forgotten his last name! Does he even acknowledge us as family? Does he even see me as his father?!”

The more he spoke, the hotter his temper burned; his chest heaved hard. “I said it yesterday–starting now, he’s not my son anymore. Everything in the Steeles has nothing to do with him. Tell him to get lost! The farther the better!”

A quick flash of satisfaction flickered in Belinda’s eyes, but her face softened into practiced concern. She patted Brandon’s back gently. “Honey, don’t say that. Lucas is still your flesh and blood… it’s just–this time, he went too far. If only he were half as sensible as Derek, you wouldn’t have to suffer like this…”

Derek lowered his head at the perfect moment, his expression dim, as if he were heartbroken over Lucas’s hopelessness.

Brandon waved them off, drained. “Enough. Both of you–go. I don’t want to hear another word about him. From now on, this family depends on Derek.”

“Dad, don’t worry. I won’t let you down,” Derek promised solemnly.

Belinda murmured a dutiful response and led Derek out of the study.

The moment the door clicked shut, and they’d gone a few steps down the hall, the worry and obedience evaporated from both their faces.

Belinda’s lips curled into a grin she didn’t bother to hide. In a low voice, she said to Derek, “You see that? Your wonderful brother finally dug his own grave. From now on, everything in the Steeles belongs to you.”

Derek smiled, too–sharp, controlled, hungry. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be far more ‘well–behaved‘ than Lucas ever was. The Steeles… will be ours sooner or later.”

Menzie Estate.

Noelle slept for a solid four hours.

When she finally woke, the exhaustion had loosened its grip.

She got up, washed her face, changed into clean clothes, and pushed open her bedroom door.

The living room was packed.

Angus was there, along with three uncles and seven cousins–and Lucas, Serena, Alina, Sebastian… all of them.

At the sound of the door, everyone turned in unison. Sebastian was the first to move–he rose at once, crossed the room, and steadied her with a hand at her elbow. After guiding her to the couch, he went to pour her a glass of water.

“You’ve been lying down for hours. Drink. Your throat will feel better.”

“Thanks, honey.”

“Noelle, you’re awake?”

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Chapter 380 Willpower

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Angus’s voice was warm with concern. “How do you feel? You must be exhausted.”

Noelle looked around at the crowded room, and warmth spread through her chest despite everything

She nodded, “Grandpa, I’m fine. You really didn’t have to come all this way for me.”

“How could we not? Oh–and your mom… she wanted to come, too, but something came up last–minute, so she-

“How is Mr. Theodore doing?” Noelle cut in, clearly not interested in talking about Mary.

Angus caught the cue and didn’t mention Mary again.

“He’s still unconscious. No response.”

“I’m going to check on him.”

Noelle couldn’t sit still, knowing Theodore was still down. She stood immediately and headed for his room.

As soon as she moved, the others followed quietly behind her toward Theodore’s room.

The room had been turned into a makeshift ICU. Advanced machines hummed in steady rhythms, and monitors flashed dense streams of vitals.

Theodore lay motionless, tubes running from him, his face still pale–but no longer that dead, ashen shade from last night. His chest rose faintly now, proof of a fragile fight.

Noelle stepped to the bedside, studied the monitors, then gently lifted his wrist and set her fingertips to his pulse.

She checked his pupils, then inspected the puncture sites and wounds with quick, practiced precision.

Angus stood off to the side, staring at the unconscious man. He remembered the old leader’s sharp eyes and commanding presence–then looked at him now, barely clinging to life. As someone in his seventies, too, the blow hit hard.

It left a bitter ache in the throat.

Noelle finished, withdrew her hand, and frowned slightly. Lowering her voice, she said, “His body is recovering–slowly. But the nerve damage and residual toxins are worse than expected. His brain activity is barely there. He’s in a deep coma.”

She paused, then looked at Sebastian and Ethan, her tone steady but frank. “Everything conventional medicine can do has been done. From here on… it comes down to his own will and strength. I can’t promise when he’ll wake up–or if he will.”

The words sank like stones into Sebastian and Ethan’s chests–but at least, he was alive. There was hope.

Quietly, everyone filed out, leaving the room still and undisturbed for the old man.

Back in the living room, Angus pulled Noelle aside, worry etched into his face. “Noelle… things outside–especially online–are boiling over. What are you going to do?”

Noelle answered calmly, “Right now, the only thing that matters is Mr. Theodore waking up. Once he does, the truth itself–and the rumors will collapse on their own. As for the noise online… I don’t care, and I’m not wasting energy on it.”

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