No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 199

Frank quickly nodded. "Noelle, I promise I'll get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation."

Noelle's expression remained cold. She didn't need anyone else to give her an explanation—she could uncover the truth of this herself.

Sensing the rising tension, Gordon quickly interjected, "There's no need to check the surveillance. It was me. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

"Oh, Gordon, we haven't even checked the footage yet. Why are you so eager to confess? Who are you trying to cover for?" Noelle said, her anger simmering as she fixed her gaze on him.

Since he insisted on throwing himself into her path, she wasn't going to let him off lightly.

Frank, too, noticed Gordon's unusual behavior and pressed him. "Tell me the truth, Gordon. Who else has been in the study?"

Gordon hesitated, fumbling for words but unable to give a clear answer.

Frank's suspicions deepened, and he asked, "Where's Xenia? Get her here immediately!"

"Ms. Quigley is studying in her room right now, Mr. Liddell. Can't we wait until she's done? It's really not that serious," Gordon said.

Frank was stunned by Gordon's dismissive attitude. He couldn't believe a butler dared to brush off Noelle's concerns like this. It was clear now just how much Noelle had endured in this household.

In a fit of rage, Frank grabbed a cup and hurled it at Gordon. "I said, bring Xenia here now! Did you not hear me?"

Terrified, Gordon nodded and quickly left the study.

Frank couldn't bring himself to meet Noelle's eyes. "Noelle, I never realized… Has Gordon always treated you this way?"

Leaning casually against the desk, Noelle smirked faintly, her tone laced with mockery as she replied, "It's nothing new. I've gotten used to it."

Her nonchalant response hit Frank like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless.

Xenia turned to Noelle, her voice dripping with false remorse as she said, "I'm so sorry, Noelle. My grades were canceled, and I can't continue my studies. I was just so envious of your acceptance letter that I couldn't resist taking a peek. Please don't be mad. Can't you forgive me?"

"No," Noelle replied coldly, her gaze icy.

Xenia gritted her teeth before continuing to act pitifully. "I'll do anything to make it up to you."

She couldn't understand why Noelle couldn't just let it go. Sure, she had opened the letter on purpose—out of spite, knowing Noelle had succeeded where she had failed—but in her mind, a teary apology should have sufficed.

"Anything? Okay," Noelle said, raising her hand.

Without hesitation, she slapped Xenia hard across the face, using every ounce of strength she had. The impact left her hand numb.

Stunned, Xenia yelled, "What's wrong with you?"