No longer a pushover

Xenia seized the chance to say, "Donovan, calm down..."

"Shut up! You all causing trouble is the reason I'm this upset!" Donovan lashed out at her as well before storming out in a fury.

Xenia hadn't expected him to be this rattled while Blake sneered. "Donovan has always been proud. Now that Noelle has exposed his secret, it's no surprise that he can't take it."

Frank agreed. He'd known about the engagement with the Cantrell family but never brought it up for the sake of Donovan's dignity.

Xenia clutched her sore cheek and pitifully said, "Noelle has been with the poor man for so long, Frank. What if he deceives and takes advantage of her?"

Frank's expression darkened. He'd definitely stop that from happening.

But Blake retorted, "At least Noelle has money. You, on the other hand, threw yourself at Justin despite having nothing. You know what that's called? A gold- digger."

With that, he walked away.

Xenia seethed. She turned to Frank for help, but he simply said, "Blake's right. You should have some self-respect. A family like the Parhams is beyond your reach."

with anger, but Frank, Blake, and Lucas had all walked away. No one was

ties to the

...

hall. He turned to her and said, "The others have left for the event site. I stayed behind so we could go

nodded and went straight to the dining area

Frank walked over and asked, "Does that man

one by my side when you

said, "Let's set up a meeting so we

Because to

at all."

and didn't see them as

coldness in her expression,

to see Xenia draped in luxury brands from head to toe. She flaunted her

scanned the extravagantly decorated venue. "Xenia, are you out of your mind?

great." Xenia smugly