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.

know you hated me, Noelle!" Xenia

to look at

my

I don't want to. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Stop

continued, "I knew it. You're still angry! I had overestimated myself and took over your

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

felt even more frustrated upon being unfairly blamed. He glanced at how Xenia was acting pitifully, yet he couldn't muster any sympathy for her. He now regretted his decision to let her join the team. She was

Xenia steadied herself and quickly took out an eyebrow razor. She pointed it at her wrist and said, "Don't worry, Noelle. I won't ever compete with you for your

had gone mad. Whether she decided to

Xenia must be out of her

equally shocked. "Calm down, Xenia. This has nothing to do

all my fault, Lucas. Perhaps I wouldn't have upset Noelle if I had never seized the opportunity she didn't want in

been more than satisfied having grown up in the Liddell family all

who had been holding some reservations about her earlier,

"Are you really going to stand there and watch

alright if only Noelle agreed to join the team. All she had to do

was dumbfounded. He asked, "What do you

myself clear. I'm not joining the team because I

the difference between Xenia using self-mutilation to force me to compromise and me pressuring

who originally wanted to speak up, all fell

matter what, Xenia is still

game and lacked a sense of

me? I don't care if Xenia self-mutilates or commits suicide.

could you agitate her like this?" Lucas

time as she never expected him to actually hit her. Aside from Blake, her other brothers had never

fully

full force of the slap. He had a stern expression when he said, "This is already your second act of violence under child protection laws. By law, the victim has the right to call the police and