No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Almost everyone turned to look at Noelle, including Xenia, who looked especially tense.noveldrama

Before anyone could speak, Xenia cut in. "Noelle Gwen and several others have accused you of cheating before, so you must understand how I feel right now. I know you've always hated me, but we're family, aren't we?"

Seeing how nervous Xenia was, Noelle realized that there were times when even she could feel fear.

Noelle said calmly, "I seem to recall Xenia turning her head." She was simply stating the truth, yet Xenia's eyes instantly went red with panic.

"How could you say that, Noelle? Earlier, you said Gwen was lying."

Betty quickly agreed. "Yeah, we heard you earlier Who would believe you if you keep changing your story, Noelle?"

Noelle lazily said, "I wasn't really thinking hard earlier, so it just came to my mind."

Xenia was furious and cursed Noelle inwardly. She stared at Lionel pitifully and argued, "I really didn't cheat. I only turned around because Gwen was calling me. I didn't even know it was there. She must have tossed the note into my desk compartment when I wasn't paying

attention."

Lionel

had been buying Xenia's story, suddenly thought of the incident where Noelle had been falsely accused of cheating. Now, he couldn't help but question Xenia's character.

Eventually, he ordered, "Xenia, Gwen, follow me to the office."

Noelle stayed seated as her classmates began gossiping about the incident. Unbothered, she opened her textbook to gauge how she'd done on the exam.

Not long after, Sophia Miller approached her. "Mr. Kramer wants you in the office."

Noelle had anticipated this to happen, so she got up and left. At the office, she noticed that Gwen was nowhere to be found. Instead, Frank was present. She figured that Xenia must have called in backup.

With tears churning in her eyes, Xenia glanced at Noelle and asked, "Do you hate me that much, Noelle? What do I have to do to get you to forgive me?"

Noelle remained calm. "I was just stating what I saw. If I really wanted to ruin you, I would've just said that I saw you cheating."

Xenia's face immediately flushed red.

Frank stepped in and admonished, "Don't speak like that! Xenia is part of our family. You should've known how to handle this!"

Noelle turned to look at her brother. "And what did you expect me to do? Was I supposed to say that I hadn't seen anything? Fine. I never saw Xenia turn her head."

Frank was beginning to feel irritated. Why couldn't she understand what he was trying to say?

Lionel cleared his throat. "I think I've gotten the gist of the situation. Xenia, you're partly to blame. You shouldn't have gotten others to do your homework and shouldn't be talking during exams." Frank quickly defended Xenia. "Mr. Kramer, Xenia only asked someone else to help with her homework because of some family issues. I can vouch for that."

In Frank's eyes, having a classmate do Xenia's homework was trivial. After all, she had her

reasons.

Xenia looked even sadder. "Frank, I had no idea Gwen would frame me for cheating just because I asked her to repay the money I loaned her."

"Xenia, you've always been kind and always tried to help your less fortunate classmates. However, some boundaries shouldn't be crossed." Frank firmly believed that Xenia had been framed. Lionel concluded, "We'll discuss how to handle this matter further. For now, both of you should return to class."

Noelle turned and left without saying a single word.

Frank immediately followed after her. "Noelle, how could you testify against Xenia? Have you considered what would happen if the teacher decides she's guilty?"

Noelle stopped dead in her tracks. "And have you thought of what would happen to Gwen if Xenia really did cheat and shirked the blame?"

"Impossible. Xenia would never do something like that," Frank denied without thinking.

Noelle snickered. She felt that there was no point in continuing the conversation.

"Noelle, I know you're upset and think that we favor Xenia, but that's only because her father saved your life! Besides, what's wrong with us treating a lovely and sensible girl like her better? If you're angry, take it out on me, not Xenia!"

Noelle could feel her temples throbbing with frustration.