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."

unfortunate that Noelle was that girl back then. She dreaded the day Noelle would find out the full

explanation, Noelle's emotions grew complicated. She could not help but wonder if everything Laura had said to her back then was all a

She had not seen or spoken to him since their breakup at

in Noelle's spa robe and the green facial mask still on her

the room was palpable, and Noelle glanced at him briefly before looking away,

up, hands on her hips. "What are you doing here? And why did you bring so many people are you here to start

line. The moment he got Tilly's message,

protectively beside her, and

rolled her eyes.

day and bought her some gifts. And by the way was

to make Noelle mal

I've always wanted a daughter, but Magnus

quite bitter

"No. That's

an eyebrow. "Why not? You two are broken up,

'broken up' stung, and Cedric shot back, "I never agreed