Xenia refused to get engaged to Wyatt, but Donovan immediately agreed and promised to discuss the engagement after Mia's birthday party. Xenia was so furious she could practically kill.
At that moment, Noelle felt an unpleasant gaze on her. She looked up and caught the backs of the Liddells. Her gaze shifted past them to lock onto Xenia's venomous, hateful eyes, and Noelle's lips curved into a taunting smile while Xenia's face paled with anger.
Noelle decided to investigate and find out what was going on with Xenia introducing PZ Group to Donovan. Plus, she was eager for Donovan's reaction to learning the truth; that'd be the day the Liddell family went bankrupt.
…
The event ended, and Cedric still hadn't shown up. Noelle wondered how things were going at the hospital.
On the way back to campus, she called Tilly and the PR Team. "Any updates from the car dealership?"
"That man is a senior technician at the shop. He's skilled and well-liked. Lately, he's been clocking in and out as usual, eating out with colleagues, and playing cards. Nothing's suspicious."
Noelle considered Xenia's recent moves and said, "Look into any connections between PZ Group and Xenia."
Something was definitely off. Before she hung up, she thought about it and asked, "How's Mrs. Greene Senior?"
"She's always been in critical condition, and now, she's undergoing emergency rescue at the hospital."
Noelle looked out the window. It was no wonder Cedric hadn't shown up even after the summit ended. When Noelle returned to the dorm, Mia was back, and her eyes were red.
Noelle walked over. "Have you been crying?"
Mia forced a smile and explained, "I told my aunt I want to break up with Donovan, but she doesn't approve."
"And who is she to disapprove?"
"She calls the shots in the Cantrell family now. My stepmom, little brother, and I all have to tiptoe around her."
Mia's birthday party was the weekend a week later. Just before leaving the dorm, Noelle received a huge gift box. It had no luxury branding, but she knew it was from Cedric.
He'd been sending gifts every day, and her dorm overflowed with presents.
Mia opened the box and laughed. "He brought this dress? I heard Xenia wanted it, too, and Cedric even asked for my help to get it. Ha. Bitchy Xenia is gonna be furious."
Grace hesitatingly asked, "Noelle, are you going to wear it?"
"Of course." If it would drive Xenia crazy, why not? The birthday party was important to Noelle, too.
Just then, her phone rang with a call from Donovan. Her eyes turned cold as she picked up the phone, and Donovan's voice came through.
"Noelle, Mia invited the Liddells to her birthday party. If you'd like to return to the Liddell family and be my sister again, come with us."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)
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