Alfred raised an eyebrow. "This is different. How could anyone stand by after seeing how the Liddells treated Nelly?"

Cedric’s gaze dropped. "Some things are beyond control."

"True," Alfred said, his look sharp. He hadn't seen Cedric this rattled since their near-IPO disaster. Cedric's usual calm was gone, replaced by a deep unease. Noelle, Alfred suspected, was at the heart of it.

Meanwhile, Noelle sat in the restroom, scrubbing her face. Her earlier bravado had vanished. The confession had been impulsive, disastrously awkward. How could she face Cedric? Shame washed over her.

She lingered, wishing for invisibility. A knock came. She emerged, washed her hands, and then Xenia's surprised voice pierced the silence. "Noelle? It's you!"

Noelle flinched, avoiding Xenia's gaze. But Xenia, spotting the fox mask, recognized her from the dance floor. A bitter edge crept into her voice. "You were dancing… in the middle of the floor?"

Noelle shook the water from her hands. "None of your business!"

"Dancing with other men! Frank will be furious."

Noelle rolled her eyes and walked out. Xenia followed, bumping into Justin, who waited outside. "Noelle, wait! I'm worried," Xenia cried. "Lucas is here too, I texted him."

Noelle whirled, glaring. "Stop pretending. Leave me alone."

Xenia recoiled, prompting Justin's intervention. "Noelle, watch your tone. If you keep bullying my girlfriend, I won't stand for it."

Justin, once interested in Noelle, now used Xenia – his new, "pure" girlfriend – to make Noelle regret her rejection. This was his perfect opportunity.

Noelle scoffed. "If playing the victim is bullying, the prison's too small."

"Apologize!" Justin roared.

Noelle refused. Then, Alfred and Cedric appeared, having witnessed the scene. Noelle's face burned, but the dim light and mask concealed her blush.

Seizing the moment, Xenia declared, "Noelle, here… with these men? You've changed."

Justin's sneer was immediate. "Thought you'd snagged a rich guy, but you're… available. Should've said."

Cedric stepped forward, his voice icy. "Brat, watch your mouth."