Chapter 6

Noelle hailed a cab back to the Liddell residence. As she entered the grand foyer, she could hear Xenia's voice. The Liddells sounded like they were having a great time. However, the lively atmosphere froze when she appeared, and tension settled as if Noelle was an unwelcome guest. Noelle kept a straight face, intending to head straight to her room. Just then, Blake shouted, "Noelle, stop right there! Is that how you're supposed to behave? Aren't you even going to greet us?" His tone grew harsher as he continued, "Don't think just because some school doctor is backing you up, you can run around threatening to call the cops and think you're untouchable! Without the Liddell family, you're nothing!" Blake stood up, his anger escalating. "Do you think we favor Xenia? Look at all the horrible things you've done to her! Her father saved your life, and we're just helping you repay that debt!" Noelle felt emotionally drained. She paused and turned toward the living room, saying flatly, "Frank, Blake, I'm home." She hoped this would suffice. "Dinner's ready," Frank announced. "You all go ahead. I'm not hungry," Noelle replied before heading upstairs. "Frank, look at her attitude! She's completely out of control!" Blake exclaimed. Xenia sweetly chimed in, saying, "Blake, please don't be angry at her. It's all my fault. Maybe if I left the Liddell family, Noelle wouldn't be so resentful." "Don't be silly. If anyone's leaving, it's Noelle. Why should you go?" Blake retorted. Noelle heard the conversation as she climbed the stairs. She quickened her pace to her room, immediately locking the door behind her. She leaned against it, taking several moments to compose herself as her eyes welled up with tears. She looked up at the ceiling, forcing the tears back. This time, she promised herself she would not waste any more energy on this superficial family bond. The next day, Noelle went to school as usual and shared a car with Xenia. The latter asked, "Noelle, are you still angry?" "Xenia, don't you always tire of putting on an act?" Noelle closed her eyes and leaned back, ignoring her further. Xenia's expression darkened, but with the driver present, she quickly adopted her usual pitiful look and flashed him a sweet smile. The driver instantly concluded that Noelle was being mean to Xenia and made a mental note to report it to Frank later. At school, Noelle focused intently on her classes and note-taking, trying to catch up on everything she had missed. She ignored Xenia's followers or supporters who whispered around her. After all, she had more important things to focus on and no time to waste on petty games. ... That evening, when she returned home, she found Lucas sitting on the couch with a sour expression. Xenia bounced to him cheerfully and chirped, "Lucas, you're back! I've missed you so much while you were away!" Lucas' foul mood visibly improved after Xenia's sweet antics. Meanwhile, Noelle merely glanced at their interaction before heading upstairs. Lucas called out, "Noelle, Blake says you've become increasingly rebellious. I didn't believe it initially, but now you won't even greet me?" Noelle sighed wearily. There went Lucas again. To avoid wasting time, she turned and obediently said, "Hello, Lucas." "That's better," he replied. "By the way, I'm rebuilding the team. Frank and Blake have already agreed. You're joining, too." Noelle gripped her bag tightly, remembering how this exact scenario had played out in her previous life. Back then, she had eagerly agreed to please Lucas and gain her brothers' attention, training relentlessly until it affected her college entrance exams. And what had it gotten her? Lucas had said, "Noelle, you've proven yourself. Now, let's give Xenia a chance to experience being a champion." He even insisted, "Noelle, I'm the team captain. When I say we're switching players, we're switching players." In her previous life, Noelle had been humiliatingly replaced by Xenia. Without her intense dedication, the team would never have made it to the finals, yet they had benched her at the crucial moment. Ultimately, they handed her hard-earned championship glory to Xenia on a silver platter. What had all her effort meant? This time, she absolutely refused to repeat that mistake. Noelle's gaze was firm as she replied, "Lucas, I want to focus on my college prep. I can't afford to be distracted by gaming right now." She had directly refused Lucas' suggestion, or more accurately, his command. His words were not a request for her input; they simply told her what she would do. "Noelle, did I hear that right? You're actually refusing my invitation?" Lucas scowled. He had not even considered the possibility of her declining. For years, Noelle had followed his every word without question. "If it's truly an invitation, then I have the right to decline," Noelle responded flatly, maintaining eye contact as she watched his expression darken with embarrassment. Yet, none of this bothered her anymore. "Noelle, you had better think carefully before answering," Lucas snapped. "Don't be stubborn. Otherwise, you'll cry and beg me for another chance when I won't give you one!" He had heard from Blake about recent events, including how Noelle had given away his championship trophy to Xenia as an apology. It was the very trophy he had won in his first year as a pro player, which was immensely meaningful to him. Xenia gently tugged at Lucas' sleeve and said, "Don't be mad. Joining your team is my dream. I'm sure Noelle will come around." Her words only fuelled Lucas' anger further, as he felt increasingly disrespected by Noelle's refusal. He glared at Noelle and warned, "Noelle, this is a one-time offer. Think carefully—will yu be joining the family team?" Noelle found it amusing as she realized that Lucas was all bark and no bite, wholly wrapped around Xenia's finger. "Noelle, just agree quickly," Xenia urged with feigned concern. "Don't upset Lucas." "Xenia, since it's your dream to join the team, you can have my spot," Noelle replied before heading to her room. Upstairs, Noelle pulled out her books and dove into her homework. She had fallen behind on too much material and could not waste another second. Later, a housekeeper knocked on her door. "Ms. Liddell, dinner is ready." "Please bring it up to my room," Noelle requested. "But Mr. Frank and the others are waiting for you in the dining room." It was obvious that they refused to allow her to eat alone in her room. Noelle gripped her pen tightly, recognizing that she was still under the Liddell family's control and would have to play along for now. With that, she made her way to the dining room. Frank, Blake, Lucas, and Xenia were already seated at the long dining table. Noelle silently took the farthest seat, grabbed a plate, and ate without saying a single word. The room was uncomfortably quiet until Xenia's soft laughter filled the space, breaking the tension. Soon, the others joined in, and the atmosphere eased. Lucas glanced at Noelle before announcing loudly, "Xenia, we'll personally coach you in competitive gaming after dinner. Someone as clever as you will pick it up quickly—probably better than certain others!" Xenia's eyes lit up with excitement. "Lucas, I'll work hard! I won't let you down!" Noelle remained unfazed by their exchange, thinking it was a great idea to let Xenia join. Lucas would lose his last chance in the competition when they lost in the repechage. Unlike before, Noelle did not sulk or show any reaction simply because she no longer cared. After quietly finishing her plate of food, she stood and politely addressed the group, "I'm done. Please enjoy the rest of your meal." She knew skipping this courtesy would only invite another lecture. Frank looked up, surprised by Noelle's calm demeanor instead of her usual jealous outbursts. His voice softened as he offered, "Noelle, are you sure you won't join the family team? With your natural talent and all of us working together, we could win the championship!" He was clearly offering her a chance to change her mind.