Chapter 65

Noelle never expected such a scene. In her previous life, Frank and Lucas had appeared after her college entrance exam, but their attention was directed to Xenia. She had always been ignored and forgotten. She never thought she'd receive such a grand display. It would be a lie to say the sight didn't touch her.

Cedric leaned lazily against the car door. He looked up as she approached, revealing his refined, handsome face, now serious instead of its usual lazy expression. Noelle bit her lip and walked toward him. He looked at her gently. “Congratulations! It’s finally over.”

Alfred waved a banner enthusiastically. “Nelly, this is my surprise for you! Do you like it?”

Noelle blushed and smiled. “Thank you, Alfred. I think it’s a bit too much.”

He remarked sarcastically, “We had to make it over the top! Unlike folks who only brought a single bouquet and called it a day.”

Noelle saw Frank across the street, a bouquet in his arms. In her previous life, Frank had also brought a bouquet to school, but it was for Xenia. He excitedly crossed the road. “Noelle, I wanted to park closer, but all the spaces were taken, so I had to park further away.” He hadn't expected people to be so shameless as to hog all the parking spaces.

Alfred clicked his tongue. “You’d have come early if you really cared. Trying to scramble now that you’re late? Doesn’t look sincere, does it, Cedric?”

Cedric calmly replied, “It’s not something someone who thinks apologizing is beneath them would understand.”

Frank’s face shifted at their comments. Just then, Xenia arrived at the school gate. She ran to Frank’s side. “Frank, you’re here! Wow, the flowers are so beautiful!”

He felt awkward having only bought one bouquet. Nevertheless, Frank cleared his throat, ignored Xenia, and walked to Noelle. “Noelle, I wish you success on your college entrance exam!”

Noelle looked at the bouquet. “Thanks, but you should give these to Xenia. Otherwise, people might think you’re favoring me and spread rumors.”

Frank felt her words sounded oddly familiar. He hurriedly explained, “I bought these for you, Noelle. I’ll get Xenia another one later!”

Noelle calmly asserted, “We shouldn’t. I’m heavily indebted to Xenia since her father saved my life. You shouldn’t be biased. If there’s only one bouquet, it should go to Xenia.”

Frank froze, realizing why her words sounded familiar. They were the exact words he had said in the past. Whenever something was scarce, Noelle always stepped aside.

A dull ache settled in his chest as he connected the dots. He had wronged Noelle long ago. He painstakingly began, “Listen, Noelle. Back then, I—”

Noelle nonchalantly interrupted. “Let the past stay in the past, Frank. I have a class gathering tonight, so I’ll be going now.” She turned to Cedric. “May I ask for a ride?”

Cedric opened the car door without speaking. The row of red sports cars revved their engines and left.

Frank watched Noelle depart. He wanted to stop her, but his feet felt weighed down by a thousand pounds of steel. He couldn’t take a single step. The scene repeatedly replayed in his mind, stabbing into his heart like daggers.

He watched the sports cars drive away, wondering how a mere school doctor could be so wealthy. He then assumed Noelle hated Cedric, intending to show off Xenia. Xenia was still displeased. “Don’t be upset, Frank. Noelle understands you meant well. We should just wait for her to calm down.”