No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Xenia's eyes reddened with anger. She questioned, "Noelle, didn't you say you wouldn't use a single cent from the family anymore?" She didn't believe Noelle could afford such expensive clothing herself.

Noelle calmly took out her own bank card and handed it to the store manager. "Charge them to my card. I'll try them on afterward."

Betty protested loudly, "We picked these first! How can you sell them to someone else? We're premium members!"

The store manager courteously replied, "We process purchases based on confirmed payment. Besides, Ms. Liddell may not have a membership card, but as the daughter of the Liddell family, she is one of our distinguished clients." "Daughter of the Liddell family? She's been kicked out!"

The store manager remained composed. "It's just a misunderstanding among family members. Blood ties cannot be severed."

Noelle felt slightly uncomfortable at the mention of blood ties. She hated being shackled by such a concept. She took the dresses and went into the fitting room.

Meanwhile, Xenia was on the verge of tears outside, trying to call Lucas, but no one answered. Finally, James picked up instead.

"Why isn't Lucas answering?"

"Mr. Liddell had too much to drink last night and hasn't woken up yet."

Xenia was furious. Why did he have to be drunk at such an important moment? She didn't want to be humiliated in front of Noelle.

With no other choice, she called Frank. The call connected quickly. "Xenia, what's wrong?"

"Frank..." Xenia's voice quivered sobbingly. "I really didn't want to bother you, but I didn't know what else to do."

"Why are you crying? Did someone bully you?"

"Frank, I went shopping for clothes and ran into Noelle. I thought she wouldn't have money since she left home without anything, but she looked like she didn't need any money. I didn't want her to spend someone else's money, so I tried to help her pay, but my card was maxed out. She seemed a little upset."

Betty quickly added, "Noelle was awful! She flaunted her money and mocked Xenia, saying she was pretending to be rich! We don't even know where she got the money from."

"Don't say that. I'm sure Noelle didn't mean it that way." Xenia shot a meaningful glance at Betty.

Frank asked confusedly, "Where would Noelle get that kind of money?"

"I'm not sure about that either."

"Alright. Don't argue with her. Just come home."

Xenia reluctantly agreed and ended the call. Then, she kicked the mannequin nearby to vent her anger. In the past, Frank would have sent her money immediately. Betty asked, "So? Did your brother send you money so you can go put Noelle in her place?"

"No. He asked me to go home."

Xenia couldn't swallow the humiliation. Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message from Frank. "I've transferred some money. Cover Noelle's purchases as well." Xenia's mood instantly lifted, and she returned to the store triumphantly.

Just then, Noelle had just changed back into her clothes and walked out of the fitting room. Watching Xenia's smug expression, Noelle guessed that she had successfully asked for money. Xenia smugly crossed her arms and said, "Wrap all these clothes up. I'll take them all."

Noelle didn't react, as she didn't care at all.

Xenia turned to Noelle and started to show off. "Frank just sent me a huge sum of money. He told me that I could only go home after spending it all."