Chapter 63

Noelle continued walking away, but Frank quickly caught up. “Noelle, I’ve already investigated the matter. It was Gordon’s mistake, and he’s here to apologize.”

Gordon stepped forward. “My eyesight has deteriorated over the years, Ms. McLabeill. So I didn’t notice that one set of stationery was defective. This is all my fault. I apologize.”

Xenia chimed in, “God…”

Noelle stood still, her expression cold and indifferent. She couldn’t believe a mere apology would suffice after everything.

Alfred pulled up to the side of the road and stepped out, already reprimanding them. “What a joke! Are you honestly using the ‘failing eyesight’ excuse? Why did it just so happen to mess up Noelle’s stationery and not yours, Xenia?”

Cedric lowered the car window and stared at Noelle. “Get in!”

Noelle hummed and walked toward the car without hesitation.

Frank pleaded, “Wait, Noelle! We…”

Noelle waved her hand. “Absolutely not!”

Frank continued, “I’ve already figured out what’s happened. Can you come back home with us?”

Noelle stopped and shoved Frank aside. “Why don’t you look for a mirror so you can see your selfish face!”

Cedric reasoned, “I’m just worried about her! If you cared about her, you wouldn’t be forcing her to accept your apology before her exams are over. And when she doesn’t accept your apology, you’ll call her unreasonable and throwing a tantrum. What’s important right now is her mental and emotional state. But the only thing you care about is clearing yourself of blame and forcing her to accept your apology. You haven’t even considered how your actions are affecting her! If that’s not selfish, what is?”

Frank searched for words. “I was worried Noelle might misunderstand. That’s why I wanted to explain.”

Cedric retorted, “But did you ever think about whether it’s the right time for her to listen? What if your words affect her performance? Do you honestly think you’re absolved of all responsibility simply because you apologized?”

Frank was speechless.

Xenia gritted her teeth. “Frank’s just concerned about Noelle! How could he ever wish to hurt her?”

Noelle bent down to get into the car. Frank pleaded again, “I really didn’t mean it that way, Noelle. I simply panicked.”

Cedric chimed through the car window, “I know.”

Noelle calmly replied, “I’ll go home after the exams are over.”

Frank felt like a jumbled mess. Even though he understood Noelle’s feelings, he felt no relief. He realized it was getting harder and harder to communicate.

He muttered, “It’s my fault for not thinking things through. I’ll wait until after your exams to explain everything.” He wanted to let her go, but he wasn’t confident about forcing his way against Cedric.

Xenia groaned with frustration as Noelle left. She couldn’t believe Frank just let her go without consent. She hissed, “Frank, if Noelle isn’t coming home, what’s going to happen if Denyan finds out about this?”