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

from Carl, and Blake gave

bracelet, and finally, this gold trophy was

me. As a token of apology, I believe that giving

Xenia as a reparation, so she

gifts. Only these valuable items remained. After all, her brothers would ultimately reclaim these with various excuses and give them to Xenia instead. Blake froze once he saw the items on the tray. Knowing that these

grim. "Noelle, what are you on

sincere apology. Do you think it's not enough?" Noelle remained

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 your brothers have given you, Noelle," she

"Exactly! These gifts were meant for you. How could you just give them away to others

before saying, "Yeah. I'm just an outsider, Noelle. I don't deserve such

Blake immediately corrected himself and said, "Xenia, that's not what I meant. I'll pick out something new for you. You

that this was how

"Noelle, why are

had always treasured these gifts, forbidding anyone from touching them. He hadn't expected her to give

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

think that there was a chance that

to vent," Blake said. "Noelle, do you think

Isn't that enough for

wondered how she could have

kind of person," he sputtered in front

you all shall witness that I have shown Xenia a

was slightly irritated.

could she give such valuable gifts to someone else? He felt that, even if she were to spite

about this, Frank," Noelle said. She shoved the tray into Xenia's hands. "These are

awkwardness flashed across Xenia's face. Sensing that Frank

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 Xenia could

to apologize to Xenia-what

and more outrageous!" Frank remarked, frowning. He felt upset. He had bought the emerald necklace for her with his first salary-it was

a wall. Frustrated, he

Noelle's tactic had indeed

something wrong again? I will never take Noelle's most treasured items. What