No longer a pushover

Chapter 188

"Are you free tonight?" Cedric asked.

"I am," Noelle replied casually.

"Put on a nice dress. I'll pick you up later," Cedric said.

Noelle's heart skipped a beat. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," Cedric replied.

After hanging up, Noelle found herself pressing a hand to her warm face. She wondered if Cedric was asking her out on a date. After all, he was never the type to joke around.

She purposely washed her hair and changed into something nice. As she waited nervously, her phone buzzed again.

"I'm downstairs."

When Noelle stepped into the parking lot, Cedric was waiting by his car. He wore a black suit, and his hair was styled perfectly. He looked sharp-more so than usual.

"You look different today," she commented, feeling a little shy.

event," Cedric replied as he opened the passenger

him as they drove. She couldn't help but wonder where

finally stopped outside

that Noelle realized this was

Lucas had been honored for his first-place victory in a competition. He brought Xenia along to attend the event and gave an interview

followed Cedric into the hall, a staff member approached them with a warm smile. "You must be the top scorer,

was stunned. She turned toward Cedric, unsure

launch, and now, as the

knew exactly how prestigious the award

Lucas had leveraged it to secure investment for a streaming platform, and that investment made all the difference. Now, as she thought about it, Noelle realized how useful

the

a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Noelle? What are you

to see Donovan and Lucas

didn't bother answering. Instead, she focused on her speech, keeping her attention

Donovan as he was ignored by Noelle. "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're a

it easy," Lucas interjected. "Maybe

done to deserve this? She's just good

felt like a direct challenge to his

glancing in his direction. "Whether I deserve to be here isn't your concern," she said, grabbing her speech