Noelle stared blankly. "No plans."

"What's your attitude? Get up! I said stand up!" Isaac barked.

She shoved her chair back, rising abruptly. Isaac jumped. "You're a newbie! Looking for trouble? That's the Liddell heiress!"

Noelle scoffed. "Her? An heiress?"

"And you think you are?" Isaac retorted.

Xenia smoothly intervened. "Easy, everyone. Treat me like a newcomer. No need for drama." Isaac immediately cringed. "Ms. Liddell is right."

Noelle fled to the restroom. Xenia followed, leaning against the door. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Noelle ignored her.

Xenia pressed on, a little grudgingly. "Noelle, don't be upset. Lucas sent me to supervise the firewall project. Frank knows."

Noelle's sudden return was suspicious. Was she regretting leaving home?

Noelle splashed water from her hands onto Xenia's skirt.

Xenia exploded. "What did you do? Do you know how expensive this is?!"

Noelle sneered. "I do. That's why I did it. Hope you never get exposed, or you'll be back where you belong—unable to afford this kind of thing." Xenia glared, humiliated. One day, I'll crush you, she fumed.

Back at her desk, Isaac slammed documents down. "Newbie, finish these. You're not leaving until they're done."

Noelle simply placed them aside, continuing her work. He bristled, then turned as Xenia appeared.

A coworker whispered, "Isaac's smitten with Ms. Liddell, don't you think?"

"Ms. Liddell? With him? He's just a group leader!"

"Careful. If there's a company dinner, don't drink."

Noelle smiled faintly. "Got it. Thanks."

She wouldn't be attending.

Later, Xenia announced, "It's my first day, dinner's on me!"

Everyone agreed. Noelle finished her work and stood to leave.

Xenia said, "Let's go together. I'll drive."

"No thanks. You go ahead."

Noelle left calmly, unconcerned about Xenia's pride. Xenia felt embarrassed but recovered quickly. "I've known her awhile. I didn't expect..."

Isaac chimed in, "She knows you, Ms. Liddell? She blew a great opportunity! No wonder she can't find a decent job! I'll teach her a lesson tomorrow!"

Xenia smiled faintly. At the restaurant, Frank and Lucas were already there.

"Frank, Lucas? What are you doing here?"

Frank scanned the room. "Where's Noelle? Why isn't she here?"