Xenia hadn''t expected Magnus to have overheard the entire conversation that day.


    She braced herself to say, "You''ve misunderstood, Mr. Greene. Noelle has always disapproved of us."


    "With a family like you bunch of parasites, it''s no wonder Noelle disapproves. Hell, even I do! Now get out of my sight!" Magnus rolled up his sleeves.


    Xenia was reluctant to back down. "Noelle, Frank really wants to see you for thest time. Are you sure you''re gonna be this cruel?"


    Magnus grabbed a ss of champagne and sshed it on her. "Shut up."


    Did Xenia think he couldn''t see through her schemes? He despised such pretentious acts the most.


    Xenia screamed. She wore an expensive new dress today, but she dared not lose her temper in front of Magnus for fear of offending the Greenes.


    Instead, she turned to the man beside her and feigned weakness. Her protector indignantly stepped forward. "Magnus, don''t think you can pick on anyone you like just because you have the Greene family to back you up!"


    "Let me handle this."


    Noelle walked over with a ss of champagne and fixed her gaze on Xenia. "Stop with the guilt trip. Stay away from me!"


    Xenia hid behind her protector. She refused to embarrass herself in front of Magnus and had no choice but to retreat. She had to clean up her ruined dress.


    After she left, Noelle set down the ss of champagne and looked at Magnus. "You didn''t have to get involved."


    Outsiders might be inclined to believe she was cold and unfeeling for not visiting Frank onest time.


    "I can''t stand bitches like her. Samantha''s mother, Ruth, is one too, and she drives me nuts."


    Magnus had disliked Ruth since he was a kid. But unfortunately for him, she was Emma''s best friend, so he couldn''t escape the Merlocks.


    Plus, he ought to protect Noelle.


    Michael approached and advised, "Don''t let their words get to you, Noelle. The Liddells are clinging to you now because of your sess. They''re just trying to leech off you."


    "Exactly. It''s best that you avoid an emotionally maniptive family like the Liddells."


    Noelle nodded at their words. "I understand." She had long made that decision and would stick to it for a lifetime.


    Later, Noelle mingled with several industry contacts and exchanged numbers. One of them asked, "Ms. Nelly, are you single?"


    "Yes, I currently am," Noelle replied.


    A young man interjected, "How are you a step ahead? I''m your fan, Queen Nelly.


    If you don''t have a boyfriend, what do you think about me?"


    "Ms. Nelly, look at me too!"


    Magnus rushed over as he watched his unfold. He flusteredly drove them away. "Stay away from her! Don''t even think about it!" She was Cedric''s after all.


    "That''s not fair, Magnus. This is fairpetition."


    "Get lost! None of you stand a chance. Cross me, and I''ll flip out!" Magnus drove them away and wouldn''t let anyone bother Noelle. He knew Cedric wouldn''t let them off lightly if he found out.


    Noelle sighed and thanked him softly. "Thank you."


    "No problem. It''s my job to protect you. I''m a professional bodyguard, after all."


    Noelle nced at Magnus. She contemted briefly and said, "About what I asked if you''d quit the finals for someone else, don''t misunderstand. I didn''t mean anything by it."


    "I get it. You''re not like that. I trust you." Since Cedric had reassured him that Noelle wouldn''t get him to quit, Magnus thought not much about it.


    Noelle finally rxed after seeing how unfazed Magnus was. She set down the ss of champagne and said, "I''m going to the restroom."


    In the restroom, Noelle adjusted her dress and stepped out of the stall to see Xenia standing outside looking sour.


    Noelle ignored her and washed her hands.


    Xenia fumed. She lowered her voice and remarked, "I''ve underestimated you, Noelle. You''re cozying up to the Greenes'' youngest heir. Aren''t you afraid of the Parhams finding out?"


    Magnus'' protective behavior signaled his interest in Noelle. She wondered why thetter was this popr.


    Noelle flicked water off her hands and continued ignoring Xenia.


    But as she exited the restroom, she was blocked by ke, who sneered. "How dare you dream of climbing up the socialdder of the Greenes! Nowe with me!"