Noelle had figured out how to deal with the Liddells. She turned to look at Cedric and said, "Actually, there is something you can do."
"Just tell me what you need."
"I need you to always stand by my side. Even if I have to do stuff that''s less than honorable to fight the Liddells one day, you have to stay with me no matter what."
There was a trace of unease in her eyes. Cedric flicked her forehead slightly. "Of course, I''m your partner in crime, am I not?"
Noelle smirked. "Not to the point of crimes. I''m aw-abiding citizen, after all."
After the workout, the two had dinner together.
Cedric sent Noelle back to school. As their car parked by the side of the road, he hesitated briefly before saying, "I have to go on a business trip in a couple of days, but I''ll try to be back in time for your press conference."
"You don''t have to. Just focus on your work. The PR team will handle everything; they''re professionals, after all."
Noelle had never intended for Cedric to be involved in every aspect of her battles. She figured it was more appropriate to handle everything herself when it came to the Liddells.
Cedric watched as she entered the school before dialing Alfred''s number. "Noelle will hold a press conference in a couple of days. If I can''t make it back in time, keep an eye on things for me."
"No problem. But about having Magnus publicly deny the engagement with Ms. Merlock, isn''t that a little too harsh on them?"
"I''ve given the Merlocks years of courtesy, and they never cherished it."
Cedric never once acknowledged the engagement with Laura. He''d given the Merlocks multiple chances to rify, but they''d chosen to stay silent. Now, they could hardly me him for the humiliation.
Having Magnus make a public statement was a warning, and if the Merlocks still refused to back down, Cedric wouldn''t hesitate to set the record straight in person.
After chatting with Alfred for a while, he ended the call when he received a text from Noelle confirming that she had returned to her dorm.
Back in the dorm, Noelle received an emoji reply from Cedric and set her phone aside. Noticing someone in the bathroom taking a shower, she nced at Grace and asked, "Is the new dormmate here?"
"Yeah, but she''s... special."
Halfway through Grace''s words, the dormmate stepped out of the bathroom. It was only now that Noelle understood what Grace meant by special.
Their new dormmate, Micah Schmitt, walked with difficulty. Though she lowered her pace on purpose, it was clear her leg was injured or disabled.
Noelle nced at her briefly before withdrawing her gaze and proactively greeting her: "Hi, I''m Noelle Liddell."
"Mm. Hello," Micah responded with a single cold and distant word. She didn''t introduce herself either.
Noelle wasn''t particrly bothered.
A momentter, Grace texted her. "She''s not from our major, and I think she''s a journalism student. The dorm supervisor wanted us to take care of her, but she doesn''t seem to like talking to people."
Noelle replied. "Got it. We''ll help if we can."
The next morning, Noelle and Grace left for ss together. Micah hadn''t gotten up
yet. After ss, Noelle received a call from the school administration.
"Noelle, the Merlocks have decided to resume their sponsorship for the gaming team. You''ll need to handle the arrangements."
"We have a sponsor, and we don''t need the Merlock family''s sponsorship."
"The Merlocks have sponsored the team for years. It won''t be appropriate to reject them outright. Just handle the transition."
The administrator didn''t give Noelle
the chance to refuse and
.n
immediately hung up. Noelle felt a wave of unease. She hoped the Merlocks were just restoring the sponsorship as Laura had imed and nothing more.
Before she could step out of ss, Xenia rushed in. Her face was streaked with tears as she grabbed Noelle''s hand and pleaded, "Frank is in really tough shape. His only wish is to see you onest time. Please, I''m begging you. Go to the hospital!"