Chapter 19

Noelle stood motionless, staring at the others expressionlessly. She wondered if the Liddell brothers truly believed she was still the old Noelle. They never solicited her opinion, acting as if letting it go was a huge favor, even though she didn't care.

Lucas felt diffident, avoiding Noelle's gaze while waiting for Frank to intervene. On the authority of their older brother, Frank continued, “You’ve proven yourself in this repechage, Noelle. No one will be able to replace your position on the team in the future.” He hoped his words would reassure Noelle.

Xenia’s expression darkened. She was frustrated that Noelle had so easily reclaimed her spot, despite Xenia's own hard work. Although lacking natural talent, Xenia had dedicated herself as much as Noelle.

Lucas looked at Noelle with equally hopeful eyes. Though silent, he hoped she would join their team, believing she should no longer sulk now that she had been given a way out.

Noelle’s gaze was cold as she replied, “I refuse.”

Lucas became agitated. “Why?”

Noelle replied, “I joined the repechage because they insulted my parents, not because I wanted to join the team.”

“But you’ve clearly been practicing in secret. Wasn’t it just so you could return?” They found it impossible that Noelle had become so skilled overnight, assuming she must have been secretly practicing to rejoin the team.

Lucas refused to believe her, staring intensely. Noelle’s expression remained neutral. Her gaze was cold as she replied, “It wasn’t.”

Lucas’ heart sank. He blurted, “Do I have to personally apologize to you for you to forgive me, Noelle?”

Noelle stopped walking. “This has nothing to do with forgiveness. The Liddell family’s team isn’t the only team in this world.” She loved playing competitively but refused to be confined to Team Luminark. Her meaning was clear.

“I know you hated me, Noelle!” Xenia cried, her voice choked with tears.

Almost everyone turned to look at her. Xenia walked toward Noelle and said submissively, “Lucas really wants you to join the team. If my presence upsets you, I’ll immediately leave the team. I won’t compete with you for your spot!”

Noelle replied irritably, “Just shut up, will you? I’m not joining the team because I don’t want to. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Stop putting yourself on a pedestal.”

Xenia continued, “I knew it. You’re still angry! I overestimated myself and took over your spot. I thought that if I could seize the opportunity you didn’t want, I’d be able to work hard to prove myself and contribute to the Liddell family, but I was just too stupid!” She sniffled, sounding meek and eliciting sympathy.

Frank felt sorry for Xenia. “Lucas was the one who went overboard and hurt Noelle’s feelings. It has nothing to do with you.”

Lucas felt even more frustrated at being unfairly blamed. He glanced at Xenia’s pitiful display, yet couldn’t muster any sympathy. He regretted letting her join the team. She was better suited as their sweet, obedient sister—not someone to make a name for herself.

Seeing Lucas remain unmoved, Xenia steadied herself and produced an eyebrow razor. Pointing it at her wrist, she said, “Don’t worry, Noelle. I won’t ever compete with you for your spot if I die now!”

Noelle stumbled back in shock, wondering if Xenia had gone mad. Whether she joined the team or not had nothing to do with Xenia, who had originally opposed her joining. Noelle thought Xenia was out of her mind to try forcing her to join through self-harm.

Lucas was equally shocked. “Calm down, Xenia. This has nothing to do with you.”

Xenia smiled tearfully. “It’s all my fault, Lucas. Perhaps I wouldn’t have upset Noelle if I had never seized the opportunity she didn’t want. I’ve already been more than satisfied having grown up in the Liddell family all these years anyway. I wouldn’t mind dying now!”

Lucas, who had previously harbored reservations about her, felt his heart soften.

Frank anxiously turned to Noelle. “Are you really going to stand there and watch your sister hurt herself, Noelle?”

Lucas frowned. Though he knew Xenia’s actions were inappropriate, he believed everything would be alright if Noelle agreed to join the team. All she had to do was agree.

Noelle asked indifferently, “I’m sorry, but have you guys mistaken something here?”

Frank was dumbfounded. “What do you mean?”

Noelle said, “Firstly, I’ve made myself clear. I’m not joining the team because I don’t like it. It has nothing to do with any of you. Secondly, what’s the difference between Xenia using self-mutilation to force me to compromise and me pressuring King to marry me by cutting myself?”

Her sarcasm hit its mark. The other teammates, who had been about to speak, fell silent upon realizing her logic.

Lucas blurted, “No matter what, Xenia is still part of our family.” Though Xenia was horrible at the game and lacked responsibility, she was only a teenager.

Noelle retorted, “Does that have anything to do with me? I don’t care if Xenia self-mutilates or commits suicide. None of that has anything to do with me. Stop trying to guilt-trip me!”

“Her father saved your life, Noelle. How could you agitate her like this?” Lucas lost his temper and slapped her.

Noelle couldn’t react; she never expected him to hit her. Aside from Blake, her other brothers had never hit her. However, Lucas’s slap never fully landed. Cedric, beside her, stopped Lucas’s hand just before impact, preventing the full force. With a stern expression, he said, “This is already your second act of violence under child protection laws. By law, the victim has the right to call the police and seek protection.”

Noelle turned and stared numbly at him, wondering why he was there.

Lucas gritted his teeth. “Who are you? This is a family matter. You have no right to interfere as an outsider!”

Frank recognized Cedric, surprised by his presence.

Cedric calmly replied, “That shows how outrageous your behaviors are if an outsider like me couldn’t even stand it anymore.” His gaze grew cold, learning of the Liddell family’s bullying. He was losing patience.

Frank frowned. “You’ve misunderstood the situation, Dr. Greene. It’s different this time.”

Cedric asked, “How is this any different? Your fake sister held everyone back, threw a tantrum, and then disappeared. It was only because your real sister, Noelle, joined the repechage game that you received a sincere apology from the other party. Not only did you guys not treat her better, but you’re even hitting her now? Aren’t you guys ashamed?”

Frank was speechless, realizing how much he had mistreated Noelle. He looked at her guiltily. “I didn’t mean it that way, Noelle. I just didn’t want Xenia to do something rash to hurt herself!”

Noelle pursed her lips.

Cedric scorned, “You don’t want your fake sister to get hurt, so you chose to hurt your real sister? What kind of excuse is that?”

Frank felt more guilty. He turned to Lucas. “Hurry and apologize to Noelle! Who told you to hit her?” He was shocked by Lucas’s action.

Lucas stood stunned, hiding his hands in shame. He hadn’t expected to hit her. He looked at Noelle diffidently. “I only… did it because I got too angry when I heard what you said.” He wasn’t sure what made him so angry, it was like how he used to scold her. No matter how outrageous he was, Noelle never held a grudge. He assumed it would be the same this time, but knew he wouldn’t do it again.

Noelle’s cheek throbbed, but the physical pain was less than the emotional hurt. She looked up scornfully. “So?” Only then did she realize she had been Lucas's punching bag, explaining why she was looked down upon.

“You should have the right attitude if you’re apologizing.” Cedric grabbed Noelle’s hand and used it to slap Lucas.

Chapter 20