Chapter 55

Noelle looked up and saw Frank standing outside her classroom. She pursed her lips and walked toward him.

Remaining indifferent, she said, “You had better not say a single word if you’re here to tell me to take notes for Xenia.”

She knew instantly that Frank had come to help Xenia apply for sick leave. Based on his track record, she knew he was there to make her take Xenia's notes and probably even bring back her homework.

A tightness filled Frank's chest. “Noelle, is that really what you think of me?”

Noelle’s patience was wearing thin. “Are we done here or not?”

“Noelle, I remember you always did well in school. However, your grades became unstable and worsened over time.”

“Was it because of Xenia? Did you deliberately score similarly to her, or intentionally try to score worse?”

Noelle paused, confused. She wondered how he knew. She didn’t think this was the time to discuss it.

Frank knew he’d guessed correctly by the look in her eyes. He felt sad. Why hadn’t they noticed the change in Noelle? Why hadn’t they noticed her kindness toward Xenia?

Perhaps they had, but they’d grown accustomed to favoring Xenia, the outsider. Over time, they’d grown used to ignoring Noelle’s need for attention.

Slightly annoyed, Noelle asked, “What’s the point of these questions? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“Noelle, just a simple yes or no answer.”

“What’s the point?”

Noelle stepped back, increasing the distance between them. She looked at him stubbornly. “Frank, if you’re here to apologize, or make things right, don’t bother me until the college entrance exams are over.”

Frank smiled bitterly. The guarded look in her eyes was a stab to his heart. Noelle truly didn’t trust them. He said with difficulty, “Alright. I promise you that.”

Noelle looked down. “Thank you.”

“Noelle, you don’t have to thank me for anything.”

With a slightly hoarse voice, he added carefully, “Where are you staying for the time being?”

Noelle immediately looked at Frank, wondering what schemes he had up his sleeve.

Frank’s heart was filled with bitterness. His younger sister, who used to follow him everywhere, was now treating him like a stranger. He’d only noticed the change too late. He said, “I… I don’t mean to pry. It’s just that you’ve never lived on your own before, and I’m worried about how you’re doing.”

Noelle said coldly, “I’m doing fine.”

In her past life, she’d slept on the streets after being chased from the Liddell residence. She’d been harassed by beggars and had to scavenge for survival. She’d already survived the worst.

Frank considered it before saying, “I think you should move back home. Lucas will probably tell Donovan what happened, and you know his temper. He’ll definitely ruin your exam preparations and probably cause trouble for that school doctor. As long as you’re willing to move back home, we won’t interfere with what you do and where you go. Is that alright with you?”

Noelle fell silent.

“Noelle, you don’t have to answer now. Return to class and think it over. If you don’t want to come home, I’ll help you cover things up with Donovan.”

Noelle felt uncomfortable. She didn’t want to owe him anything. Still, she decided to return to her classroom to think.

Frank gave her one last look before heading to the school infirmary.

Cedric sat in his chair, arm on the armrest, sleeve hiked to expose his watch. His stare was cold.

Frank glanced at the doctor and was shocked by Cedric’s watch. It was expensive—a limited edition, not available for purchase.

That meant the doctor was no ordinary man.