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.

this antique tiara and this emerald necklace

century-old Ginrex herb was from Carl, and Blake gave

emerald bracelet, and finally, this gold trophy was

everything on the tray, Noelle continued, "These are all very important to me. As a token of apology, I believe that giving these represents my

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

these with various excuses and give them to Xenia instead. Blake froze once he saw the items on the tray. Knowing that these were all items Noelle had cherished,

grim. "Noelle, what

token of my sincere apology. Do you think it's not

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

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

smile faltered. She bit her lip before saying, "Yeah. I'm

out something new for you. You shouldn't take something someone else has already used."

thought that this was how an obedient younger sister

why are you

gifts, forbidding anyone from touching them. He hadn't expected her to give them all away as

she trying to sever ties with them? Or was she doing this to spite him because he had taken the figurine meant

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

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

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

He wondered how she could have possibly drawn that conclusion. They

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

have

slightly irritated. "Quit the nonsense,

He felt that, even if she were to spite Blake, she shouldn't have also given the gifts from other

Xenia's hands. "These are

Sensing that Frank and Blake were somewhat enraged,

been caught off guard by Noelle's actions and hadn't expected Noelle to give these to her as a peace offering. The Liddell brothers might resent her if she didn't handle this situation carefully. She wondered why Noelle had suddenly become so difficult to deal with. Before

given her to apologize to Xenia-what kind of apology was that? Still, Noelle

He felt upset. He had

a wall. Frustrated, he said, "Exactly. She did this on purpose to spite

Xenia gritted her teeth. Noelle's tactic had indeed worked, but Xenia wouldn't let

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