No longer a pushover

Noelle never imagined she would see Emma again under these circumstances. She had expected a dramatic scene straight out of a TV drama—Emma, the wealthy socialite, slapping a check on the table and warning her not to dream of climbing the social ladder.

But this? This was something she had not seen coming.

In the end, Noelle did not sign anything and placed the box back on the table. She looked Emma in the eye and said firmly, "You don't have to worry about me and Cedric..."

Emma interrupted gently, "Sweetheart, I'm not asking you to be my goddaughter because of Cedric. I'm his stepmom, and there's only so much I can do about his life. But I genuinely like you."

She could see the wariness in Noelle's eyes and understood why her actions might have come off as suspicious. But she truly wanted to make things right— and more than that, she really did like Noelle.

After learning how badly Noelle had been treated by the Liddells, all Emma wanted was to give her the kind of protection a real family would provide.

Noelle asked, "But I thought you preferred Laura for Cedric, Mrs. Greene."

Emma's expression stiffened before she let out an awkward sigh. "I used to, yes. But that was just wishful thinking on my part-Cedric never agreed to it.

"Don't get the wrong idea about him... all these years, the only girl he's ever had feelings for is you."

that Noelle was that girl back then. She dreaded the day Noelle

had said to her back then was all a lie. Before

She had not seen or spoken to him since their breakup at the gym. Dressed in a sharp suit with his hair perfectly styled,

the room, taking in Noelle's spa robe and the green facial mask still

Noelle glanced at him briefly before looking away, unsure

"What are you doing here? And why did you bring so many people are you here to start a

pressed his lips into a thin line. The moment he got Tilly's message,

beside her, and said, "Mom, I told you not

her eyes.

and bought her some gifts. And by the way

make

a daughter, but

was quite bitter about this

"No. That's

"Why not? You two are broken

Cedric shot back, "I never agreed to that, and I never