No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Cedric's gentle expression stirred a bitter feeling in Noelle's heart.

"Lucas is downstairs," she said, lowering her eyes uneasily. "He said he wants to talk."

"And you're just going to meet him because he said so?" Cedric frowned. "He's only here because he needs you for tomorrow's finals." "I know."

"Then, there's no reason for you to go," Cedric said firmly, his tone bordering on commanding.

Feeling a sudden rebellious streak, Noelle pressed her lips together.

"I'll be back in a minute. You should get back to what you were doing," she said before closing the door behind her without hesitation.

Cedric stared at the closed door for a long time before rubbing his temples. Was she throwing a tantrum at him just now?

He stepped out onto the balcony, where he could see the building's entrance. Sure enough, Lucas was standing by his car.

Leaning on the railing with one arm, Cedric narrowed his eyes at the entrance. Soon, Noelle appeared, her small figure moving slowly. Cedric watched her for a moment longer before turning back inside.noveldrama

Meanwhile, Noelle found herself reflecting on her earlier actions, wondering if she had been too obvious. Her emotions churned with mixed feelings. She couldn't resist glancing back at her apartment, only to see the balcony was empty. With a slight pang of disappointment, she looked away and reminded herself not to dwell on Cedric anymore. After calming herself, she walked toward the entrance, where Lucas was leaning casually against his car door. "What do you want? Make it quick-my time is precious," she said, her tone flat as she approached.

Lucas looked at her long, searchingly, finally coming to terms with the fact that his sister had truly changed.

In a stiff voice, he said, "I'll admit it-I haven't treated you right in the past. I didn't consider your feelings and made you put up with a lot."

A flicker of surprise crossed Noelle's face. "Well, this is a rare sight-a sincere apology from you. So, are you finished?"

"Tell me what you're thinking, Noelle," Lucas replied. "I always thought our disagreements were just small squabbles-nothing serious enough to affect anything important."

Noelle let out a mocking laugh. "Lucas, if you think a simple apology can sweep everything under the rug or worse, guilt-trip me into compliance-save your breath."

"That's not what I meant," Lucas quickly added.

"Oh, I know exactly what you meant," Noelle said coldly, her gaze cold and distant. "You think just because you've apologized that I should let bygones be bygones and join the team for the finals out of some sense of duty. "Let me make this clear: I'm not doing it."

Lucas panicked. "But you've always

cared about the team's success.

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You were the one who supported me in starting it! And now, when the team has made it to the national finals for the first time, you're just going to quit?"

He couldn't wrap his head around it. Noelle, who used to care so deeply, was now walking away.

Noelle's expression turned sardonic. "Don't bother with the dramatics, Lucas. If Xenia weren't so terrible at gaming, or if you'd already found a better gunner, you wouldn't even be here begging me. Let's stop pretending, shall we?"

"Th-that's not true," Lucas stammered.

"All you care about is the results-whether the team wins or loses. You don't really give a damn about everyone else," Noelle said. She had seen through Lucas's true nature long ago but had chosen to stay silent. Now that everything was laid bare, she wasn't holding back.

Lucas staggered slightly. His voice cracked as he shouted, "It's not just about the team-I care about you, too! Without you, the team isn't what I envisioned!"

At that moment, the reason he had started the team resurfaced-it had been for Noelle. But somewhere along the way, he had forgotten that. Now, as she stood ready to leave, it all came back to him-but it seemed to have been too late.

"Noelle, can't you give the team another chance?" he asked, his voice heavy with a yearning to make things right.