No longer a pushover

Chapter 19

Noelle stood in place, looking at the others expressionlessly. She wondered if the Liddell brothers really thought she was still the old Noelle.

They never asked her opinion, acting like letting it go was a huge favor to her, even though she didn't care at all.

Lucas felt diffident. He avoided looking Noelle in the eye while waiting for Frank to step in.

On the authority as their older brother, Frank continued, "You've proven yourself in this repechage, Noelle. No one will be able to replace your position on the team in the future."

He figured that his words would put Noelle at ease.

Xenia's expression darkened instantly. She was beyond frustrated to see how easily Noelle had taken her spot away despite working so hard. Although she had no natural talent, she had put in just as much effort as Noelle. Lucas looked at Noelle with an equally hopeful gaze. Although he said nothing, he hoped she would join their team. He figured that she shouldn't be sulking anymore now that he had given her an out. Noelle's gaze was cold when she replied, "I refuse."

Lucas became somewhat agitated. "Why?"

Noelle replied, "I joined the repechage this time because they insulted my parents, not because I wanted to join the team."

"But you've clearly been practicing in secret. Wasn't it just so you could return?"

They thought that it was impossible for Noelle to become this skilled overnight. They figured she must have been secretly practicing just so she could join the team.

Lucas refused to believe what she said, staring at her intensely.

Noelle's expression was neutral. Her gaze was cold when she replied, "It wasn't."

Lucas' heart sank. He blurted, "Do I have to personally apologize to you for you to forgive me, Noelle?"

Noelle stopped walking. "This has nothing to do with forgiveness. The Liddell family's team isn't the only team in this world."

She loved playing in competitions but refused to be confined to Team Luminark. Her implication was clear.

hated me, Noelle!" Xenia

to look at

submissively, "Lucas really wants you to join the team. If my presence upsets you, I'll immediately leave the team. I

don't want to. It

it. You're still angry! I had

could seize the opportunity you didn't want, I'd be able to work hard to prove myself and contribute to the Liddell family. But I was just too stupid!" She sniffled, sounding meek and making it impossible for people not to feel sorry for her. Frank felt sorry for Xenia. "Lucas was the one who went overboard and hurt

any sympathy for her. He now regretted his decision to let her join the team.

out an eyebrow razor. She pointed it at her wrist and said, "Don't worry, Noelle. I won't ever compete

shock, wondering if Xenia had gone mad. Whether she decided to

team. Noelle thought that Xenia must be out of her mind to try to force her to join the team by resorting to

shocked. "Calm down, Xenia. This has

"It's all my fault, Lucas. Perhaps I wouldn't have upset Noelle if I had never

having grown up in the Liddell family all these years anyway. I wouldn't mind dying

reservations about her

turned to Noelle. "Are you really going to stand there and watch your sister hurt

somewhat inappropriate, he figured that everything would be alright if only Noelle agreed to join the team. All she had to do

was dumbfounded. He asked, "What

because I don't like it.

to force me to compromise and me pressuring King

teammates, who originally wanted to speak up, all fell silent upon realizing

what, Xenia is

and lacked a sense of

if Xenia self-mutilates or commits suicide. None of that has

her like this?" Lucas lost his temper and threw her a

she never expected him to actually hit her.

never fully landed on

beside her, had stopped Lucas' hand just as it had made contact with her face, preventing her from receiving the full force of the slap. He had a stern expression when he said, "This is already your second act of violence