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."

eyes turned red with anger, but Frank, Blake, and Lucas had all walked away. No one was left to defend her,

more convinced than ever that Sean had been right. She had no blood ties to the Liddells, and to them, Noelle was their only sister. In that case, they shouldn't

...

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

to the dining

walked over and asked, "Does that man treat you that

one by my side when

and said, "Let's set up a

Because

at

part of the Liddells and didn't see them as her

her expression,

venue of the charity sales event, only to see Xenia draped in luxury brands from head to toe. She flaunted her freshly

are you out of your mind? Didn't I tell

great." Xenia smugly