No longer a pushover

Chapter 2

All eyes turned to Noelle as soon as she showed up. Despite the crowd's attention, she remained indifferent.

She wore a simple T-shirt, but an exquisite antique tiara sat on her head. An emerald necklace adorned her neck, while diamond and gold bracelets decorated her wrist. Her finger also bore a large pink diamond ring. Laughter erupted from the crowd.

"Look at how tacky she is! How could she pile on all her accessories like that? She's like a flamboyant nouveau riche!"

"I bet she's doing this on purpose to show off and make Xenia look bad."

Unfazed, Noelle swaggered up to Xenia and said, "Congratulations. You've finally become a part of the Liddell family."

In her previous life, her nightmare began the day Xenia joined her family. No matter how much she tried to please everyone or how obedient she was, her brothers all still sided with Xenia. Frank had even once said that he wished Xenia were their biological sister. This time, she wouldn't yearn for some stupid familial love.

Jealousy filled Xenia's chest as she saw how many lavish accessories Noelle had. Nevertheless, she kept her composure.

She shrunk back slightly and tentatively said, "Noelle, I know you're upset, but don't worry. I won't compete with you for your brothers' affection.

"I'll always be an outsider. You're their real sister. How could I possibly compare to you?"

Her eyes reddened as she spoke, looking pitifully fragile.

Noelle sneered. With that flawless act of hers, Xenia was indeed a remarkable actress. In her previous life, she had been a victim of Xenia's facade. She only saw the latter's true colors before her death.

Seeing this, Blake quickly intervened, "Don't cry, Xenia. You're not an outsider. From now on, you're my real sister."

Xenia dropped her gaze, a hint of smugness flickering in her eyes. Just then, Frank handed her a box. "Xenia, this is a gift for you."

Looking surprised, Xenia exclaimed, "Frank, wasn't this gift meant for Noelle? How could I possibly accept it?"

Noelle was not surprised when she saw the limited-edition figurine in the box. In her previous life, Frank had also "kindly" taken it upon himself to give the figurine she had waited for so long to Xenia as a form of apology. "Take it," Frank urged. "She owes you this."

Visibly upset, Blake chimed in, "Noelle, even though Xenia doesn't hold a grudge about you pushing her into the water, and Frank has also given her a gift on your behalf, where's your gift for her?"

Noelle nodded. "I'm aware of that. That's why I've prepared a heartfelt apology gift." She began removing the accessories she wore, placing them one by one on a tray.

tiara and this emerald necklace was

from Carl, and Blake gave this

bracelet, and finally, this gold trophy

Noelle continued, "These are all very important to me.

anticipated that Blake would demand that she offer something to Xenia as a reparation, so she

her any meaningful gifts. Only these valuable items remained. After all, her brothers would ultimately reclaim these with various excuses and give them to Xenia instead.

expression turned grim. "Noelle, what

is a token of my sincere apology. Do

face when she saw the items Noelle had laid out. She couldn't comprehend Noelle's actions. She wondered if this was the latter's attempt at appearing at a disadvantage to gain leverage. "These are the gifts

Blake fumed, "Exactly! These gifts were meant for you. How could

"Yeah. I'm just an

what I meant. I'll pick out something new for you. You shouldn't take something someone else

He thought that this was how an obedient younger sister should

"Noelle, why are you throwing such

them. He hadn't expected her to give

ties with them? Or was she doing this to spite him because he had taken

there was a chance that Noelle would willingly give these items to

"Noelle, do you think we can't tell? When will you

worth tens of millions of dollars. Isn't that enough for an olive branch? Or are you reluctant to

speechless. He wondered how she could have possibly drawn that conclusion. They were two different

course I'm not that kind of person," he sputtered

have shown Xenia a sincere

irritated. "Quit the nonsense,

if she were to spite Blake, she shouldn't have also given the gifts from

tray into Xenia's hands. "These are yours now." She

of awkwardness flashed across Xenia's face. Sensing that Frank and Blake were somewhat enraged, she felt

to her as a peace offering. The Liddell brothers might resent her if she didn't handle this situation carefully. She wondered why

he had given her to apologize to Xenia-what kind of apology was that? Still, Noelle gave no heed

frowning. He felt upset. He had bought the emerald

like he had hit a wall. Frustrated, he said, "Exactly. She

gritted her teeth. Noelle's tactic had indeed worked, but

"Frank, Blake, did I do something wrong again? I will never take Noelle's most treasured items. What should