Frank shifted his weight, hand over his chest. "Noelle, what did you say?"

"I said I'm severing ties. I hate you using 'what's best for me' to control my life!" Noelle's fury was icy. This wasn't how she'd planned her escape from the Liddell residence, but they'd crossed a line. "I should have said this sooner. It would've stopped you all using that excuse—you're disgusting!"

Frank gasped. "Noelle, I had no idea you hated me and the Liddells this much!"

"Do you understand now?"

"It's just anger. The doctor should apologize, go to the hospital!" Frank stammered. "Can you go with me?"

Noelle glared, hailed a cab, and vanished. She texted Cedric: "Where are you?"

"Hospital."

She called immediately. "Cedric, wait outside. I'll be there soon."

"You're coming too?" Cedric, just out of the cab, frowned. "Dinner already?"

"Don't change the subject. We'll talk later." Noelle hung up.

Cedric checked his phone, then looked at the hospital. Alfred arrived. "Nelly call?"

"Yeah, wait outside."

"She's protective."

Frank's earlier call hadn't seemed a threat. This was about Justin. Cedric stood by the door. "Go ahead. I'll wait."

"I'll be quick."

Alfred strode inside, heading to Justin's lavish room. Justin, bandaged and pampered by Xenia, was enjoying himself.

Xenia murmured, "Justin, spare Nelly and Lucas. Noelle's a Liddell—"

"I know. I won't hold it against her if she's sincere. But her doctor boyfriend will pay!" Justin's ribs throbbed.

Satisfaction glittered in Xenia's eyes. "Noelle was deluded by Cedric. That's why she left home."

"How could I fall for someone like her? You're so much better, Xenia."

"Who's salacious?"

Alfred entered, hearing Justin's slander. He was lucky Cedric wasn't there. Cedric was fiercely protective of Noelle. Justin, seeing Alfred, dropped his apple. "Y-you…"

Alfred was his cousin! Had his family found out?

Xenia saw Alfred alone. "It's you. Where's Cedric?"