No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Panic flashed across Xenia's face.

Trying to appear pitiful, she said, "Betty has already admitted it. Even if she comes in person, it won't change anything."noveldrama

Betty had no intention of taking the blame, which was why Xenia had bribed her parents to testify instead.

Betty's parents nodded in agreement. "That's right. Our useless daughter is responsible for everything. We'll accept any punishment, but please leave Ms. Quigley out of this. She's innocent."

To them, sending their daughter to college wasn't important. With the money from the Liddell family, their son's education was already taken care of.

Lionel hesitated for a moment. "That won't do. Betty still needs to come to the school herself."

Xenia's expression stiffened. Everything had been arranged perfectly, but Noelle ruined it with just one sentence.

Hearing this, Donovan looked at Lionel. "Can I speak to Mr. York alone?"

Lionel nodded. Donovan turned to Xenia and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. I believe you're innocent."

"Thank you for believing me, Donovan," Xenia replied sweetly, watching as Donovan and Lionel walked away.

Noelle let out a cold laugh. "Whether Betty admits it or not, the fact that you cheated won't change."

Xenia was going to face consequences, and her results would be invalidated. Xenia gritted her teeth. "It doesn't matter. As long as Donovan believes I'm innocent, I can still go to college. We have money, after all."

Noelle didn't bother wasting more words on her, so she left.

A sense of unease crept into Xenia's heart. She turned to the middle-aged couple before her. "Are you sure Betty agreed to take the blame?"

"Betty refused to take the blame, so she ran off after we scolded her. However, we can admit it on her behalf. Please remember the payment you promised us, Ms. Quigley."

"Don't worry. As long as Betty keeps her mouth shut, you'll get your money," Xenia said, though she still felt uneasy.

If Betty said something she shouldn't, Xenia would lose her place in the Liddell family.

Just then, her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number popped up. "I found Betty. I'll make sure she stays quiet. Nothing will stand in the way of your future."

Xenia's face went pale.

She immediately called the number back, but it was disconnected.

After a moment's hesitation, she thought maybe this was for the best.

A few days later, Noelle submitted her university application. She finally felt relieved.

However, Rachel sent her a news article. "Queen, have you heard? Betty's dead."

Noelle clicked on the link. A hiker had discovered a body hanging in the mountains. The investigation revealed she was a high school student who allegedly took her own life after being caught cheating on the college entrance exam.

Noelle felt an uneasy heaviness settle in her chest.

That didn't seem right. Betty wasn't the type to give up, even if she got expelled.

Rachel messaged again. "Xenia was involved too, but since Betty's dead, the school might go easy on her. They're scared she'll do the same thing."

Noelle rolled her eyes. "Xenia? Suicide? Not a chance."

Xenia would never do something like that.

However, something about this felt off.

Noelle couldn't help but wonder if Xenia was involved, or if the Liddells were behind it.

She didn't know the truth, but she was sure this wasn't just a random tragedy.

Yet, the police had already ruled it as suicide.

Her phone rang just then. It was Cedric.

"Hey, what's going on?"