Noelle turned and left after mocking Xenia.


    Frank stepped forward. "Noelle, let us drive you back to school. It''ste, and I don''t feelfortable letting you go alone."


    "No need. I''ll take a cab." She remained distant. After all, she had only agreed to reconcile and never intended to forgive them.


    Once she uncovered the truth behind the car ident, she would never see them again. Without hesitation, Noelle got into a car and left.


    Xenia watched her retreating figure and gritted her teeth in anger. She thought, "Just you wait. Thest ident didn''t kill you. But who knows what will happen next time?"


    When she turned back to Donovan, she feigned concern. "Donovan, I''m happy that Noelle is back, but something feels... off."


    Donovan frowned. "What do you mean?"


    Xenia shook her head. "I don''t want to doubt her, but... Noelle was so furious before. Yet she''s suddenly willing to reconcile and isn''t even pursuing what happened with ke and Lucas?"


    "You''re overthinking it. She backed down because of Mom and Dad''s inheritance. She doesn''t want it all to end up in your hands. But I won''t be handing over the inheritance until I''m certain of her intentions."


    Donovan was convinced Noelle had lowered her guard because of the inheritance. Once everything settled, they would see how things yed out.


    Xenia felt uneasy. For so long, she had livedfortably with the Liddell family, almost believing she was their sister. But Noelle''s return changed everything.


    Her eyes twitched. It was a bad omen. She had a feeling something terrible was about to happen.


    Xenia''s expression darkened as she lowered her gaze. She couldn''t just sit around and wait. Noelle wouldn''t let her off if she reimed her ce in the family.


    She needed to make ns for herself. She had already taken plenty of benefits from the charity foundation and might as well make onest big score before it was toote.


    Meanwhile, Noelle returned to campus. She smirked at the thought of Xenia''s reaction.


    This was just the beginning. Once the charity auction was over and she had evidence of Xenia''s crimes, she would make her move.


    Xenia had only been in charge of the foundation for a few days, yet she had already tampered with the ounts, siphoning off millions. It was no wonder she had been unting brand-new designer outfitstely.


    Xenia wouldn''t dare hold onto so much stolen money herself. She must have transferred it to her father.


    Noelle considered several strategies,


    forcing herself to stay calm. She


    didn''t trust any of the Liddell


    brothers. Right now, they were on her side only because Xenia threatened their interests.


    This alliance was temporary.


    Back in her dorm, Noelle received a message from Cedric: "I''m back from my business trip. Are you free tomorrow?"


    She checked her ss schedule. "I have sses all day. Let''s meet at the gym in the evening."


    Cedric had been away for a few days, and she hadn''t gone to the gym in his absence. Now that she had mostly recovered, she wanted to resume boxing, knowing that she needed to grow stronger.


    Cedric nced at the gift beside him. He would give it to her tomorrow then.


    Alfred leaned over from the passenger seat. "I suggest taking Noelle somewhere fun for a date tomorrow."


    Cedric shook his head. "She wants to go to the gym. I''ll be her sparring partner."


    Alfred sighed. "Most couples go on dates, and you two basically live at the gym." Cedric shrugged. "I''ll always be there with her as long as it''s something she enjoys."


    Alfred changed the topic. "What''s your n regarding Salena interfering with the press conference?"


    Cedric''s expression darkened. "I''ll ask Noelle about it tomorrow."


    Alfred tilted his head. "Why not just handle it yourself? Girls usually love a domineering president."


    Cedric shook his head. "Noelle wouldn''t like it if I made decisions for her. That would make me no different from her brothers. I respect her choices."


    Cedric ran his fingers over the gift box, his gaze softening. He would support Noelle''s decisions.


    The next day, after finishing her


    sses, Noelle returned to her dorm


    to change. She chose a short skirt,


    one just long enough to cover the scar on her leg that was left by the ident all those years ago.