No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle's expression turned ice-cold after hearing Donovan's words. She couldn't tolerate anyone speaking about Cedric that way.

She turned to Frank and announced, "I'll say this one last time: Cedric is someone I really like."

"You're young, so what do you know about love? Now that you're in Yasnia and the Liddell family is here to back you up, you'll marry a wealthy heir, not the poor school doctor!"

Donovan's anger was evident as he couldn't believe Noelle still hadn't broken up with Cedric. Noelle let out a mocking laugh. "Who I marry has nothing to do with you."

"Who says it doesn't? You're my sister! If word gets out that you married a broke school doctor, what will people think of me?"

He'd planned out the future for both Noelle and Xenia. Since they were staying in Yasnia, they had to marry into powerful families and live a life of luxury. That would benefit the Liddell family as well.

Then, Xenia spoke up in a soft voice, "Noelle, Donovan is thinking for your sake. What good would it do you to marry a poor man?"

Though Xenia secretly wished Noelle would marry a penniless man, she knew the more she said so, the more Noelle would rebel.

Noelle's eyes gleamed with a venomous glint. "Oh? Should I act like you did? Fawn over Justin and casually sleep with him, only to be scorned and humiliated by Mrs. Parham?"

Xenia's face turned pale with rage. "What nonsense are you talking about? There's nothing going on between me and Justin!"

"That lie might fool an idiot." Noelle sneered. "Justin has been bragging to his friends about how he slept with you and took your virginity."noveldrama

Donovan fumed. He raised his hand and slapped Xenia hard across the face. "How dare you behave that disgraceful!"

Xenia's cheeks burned with pain from the slap, and she looked at Donovan in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to turn on her this quickly.

His expression was grave as he snapped, "Speak!"

Xenia stammered, "J-Justin tricked me into it."

"I said you could date, but never sleep around! Did you not take my words seriously!"

Noelle fanned the flames by saying, "Everyone knows you were always around Justin and practically threw yourself at him."

Xenia burst into tears. "Donovan, I swear I'll get back with Justin!"

Noelle scoffed. "Mrs. Parham has arranged two bodyguards to keep an eye on Justin every day. She

watches him closely just to keep you away from him. The Parhams have made their stance clear."

Donovan looked at Xenia, disappointed. "How do you expect me to make plans for you now?"

Xenia shot Noelle a resentful glare

and said, "At least I tried my best for the family! But as the true daughter

of

be

Liddells, Noelle would rather

a lowly school doctor."

"You're both giving me a headache," Donovan muttered as he rubbed his temples. "Xenia, forget it if you can't Cure Justin. The Parham family is out of reach anyway.

"I'll arrange for you to marry the son of one of our business partners. That way, at least you'll live a comfortable life."

Xenia felt a surge of unwillingness. Though she was against the idea of marrying a small, insignificant family, she dared not argue right now.

Then, he turned to Noelle. "As for you, you need to break up with that country bumpkin at once."

"Cedric is no country bumpkin. Plus. I have money and don't have to rely on a marriage alliance to climb higher. Unlike you, I don't sell myself for power."

Her words referred to Donovan agreeing to a matrilocal arrangement.

Donovan turned livid at her words. "Say that again if you dare!"

"I said, I'm not like you. I won't sacrifice myself for a marriage alliance. Being in a matrilocal arrangement must be tough, huh? Is that why you dare not let us know?"

Donovan's eyes turned red with fury. "Everything I do is for the Liddells, just so you all can live without worries! What have I done wrong?"

"The Liddell family has been living comfortably for quite some time now, and you're doing this just to satisfy your ambitious greed."

Noelle could tell why Donovan had schemed his way into a matrilocal arrangement with the Cantrell family. With that, she turned and went upstairs.

In the main hall, Donovan exploded with rage and slammed the table in frustration. He felt utterly humiliated by what Noelle had just said.