No longer a pushover

Chapter 7

The phrase "family" sounded absurd to Noelle. In her previous life, she had believed in that concept, too. However, she learned what "family" truly meant to them when Xenia replaced her right before winning the championship. "I won't be joining the team," Noelle replied firmly. "I need to focus on my studies and prepare for my exams."

Lucas sneered. "That's funny. You weren't so concerned about studying when you begged me to teach you gaming and stayed up late to train, desperate to be on the team. What changed?"

Noelle's heart ached slightly at his words. She had only pursued gaming with Lucas so they could have something in common so she could bond with him. However, it was not necessary anymore.

"Playing games affected my grades," Noelle explained calmly. "My test scores dropped significantly last month, so I'd rather not continue."

Lucas was momentarily speechless before retorting, "Fine. Suit yourself! When the tournaments start, everyone will see Xenia representing the Liddell family. They'll know she's the real family member." He refused to care anymore since Noelle was ungrateful.

"That works for me," she replied before leaving the dining room. Once back in her room, she composed herself and focused on catching up with her studies.

...

The next day after school, Noelle and Xenia approached the front gates where their driver, Aiden Monroe, was waiting. Xenia said, "Oh, right. I have to head to the training center today. Aiden will take me there first." Aiden's expression was stern as he said, "Ms. Liddell, Mr. Lucas called and instructed me to take Ms. Quigley to train first. We can't be late."

"I'll get my own ride home," Noelle replied indifferently.

As Xenia got into the car, she called out with barely concealed excitement, "Noelle, I'll talk to Lucas about this later."

Noelle simply walked away without acknowledging her. Watching Noelle's retreating figure, Xenia bit her lip in anger.

She muttered, "Just wait, Noelle. One day, I'll take everything from you. You owe me that much!"

Standing at the curb, Noelle realized she did not want to return to the Liddell residence. She figured that she could perhaps find a study room nearby instead.

"Hey, kiddo. Why are you hanging around here after school?"

Just then, a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Noelle turned to see a handsome man and took a moment to recognize him. It was Cedric.

in a lab coat and mask, and he was almost unrecognizable when

Cedric pressed when she did not

yet. I was looking for

with me,"

hesitated before following him to the school infirmary. She stood at the door and asked, "Why here? I'm not sick

any study room. Safer, too." After considering

and settling down to work.

had gotten. Then,

name is Cedric Greene," she

you done snooping?" Cedric's voice made

blushed, quickly putting the nameplate back. "I wasn't snooping; I just

"Finished with your homework?"

it. I'll ask my teachers about the parts

her notebook. "You

slightly discouraged, Noelle looked down at her book. "I wasn't a good

said as he grabbed a pen and began working through the problems on scratch

emotions swelled within her. Because of Xenia, she had no friends, and even teachers seemed to dislike her. No one had ever voluntarily

at her and remarked, "With that attention span, you

quickly apologized, "I'm sorry.

the desk while he stood beside her with one hand on the table.

did you miss such an obvious misdirection? What's the

you ever tested your IQ? Are you sure

sharp and unrelenting, cutting straight to the core. Fortunately, Noelle had already braced herself for Cedric's

pressure if she had not known who he was.

her completed work, she said, "Thank

her. "Can't your guardians hire

knew that she could not afford tutoring and refused to ask the Liddells

on her delicate profile. He observed how her lashes lowered, masking