No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

"I won't let you die! If you do, what's the point of me living!" Wyatt panicked.

As he spoke, he reached for another fruit knife on the table, but Donovan snatched it over. "Are you crazy?"

"Donovan, you know I've always liked Xenia, but I felt unworthy of her because of my leg. That's why I never dared confess and could only protect her from a distance.

"Now that she's willing to date me, I'm willing to protect her with my life."

Donovan held the knife and looked utterly defeated. On the side, Noelle was enjoying the show. She casually picked up the fruit platter and urged, "Go on, keep acting. Why stop now?"

"Noelle, do you even have a conscience? Can you bear to see Xenia die!" Wyatt's temper snapped. In his anger, he slapped the fruit platter out of her hands.

Noelle casually commented, "Actually, I don't have to press Xenia's charges. I gave Donovan a condition, but I don't think he told you about it."

Both Wyatt and Xenia turned to Donovan. The former asked, "Donovan, what's Noelle's condition?"

Donovan's expression stiffened as he remained silent. Noelle chuckled. "You've blamed me for years for your leg amputation, Wyatt. It's about time Donovan clear my name."

She turned to Donovan. "As long as you clarify what happened back then, I won't press charges against Xenia. Fair trade, right?"

Wyatt stepped forward and stared at Donovan. "Donovan, what's going on?"

Cornered, Donovan boiled with anger, yet he couldn't do anything about Noelle. He gritted his teeth and said, "When you got injured and needed an amputation, I struggled and didn't know what to do. You have to understand how hard it was for me."

Noelle cut off his long-winded rant. "So you didn't answer the phone on purpose and forced me to decide, right?"

Donovan's expression was grim. He turned back to Wyatt and said, "I had no choice."

"Donovan, just answer: yes or no?" Noelle continued, forcing Donovan to face the question.

Donovan's face contorted, and after a long silence, he finally admitted. "Yes."

His voice lacked confidence. Noelle turned to Wyatt and asked, "Did you hear that? Your leg wasn't my fault."

Colors drained from Wyatt's face. He turned to Donovan in utter disbelief. "Why? There was hope for my leg!"

If

make

decision, it might have hadnoveldrama

a different outcome. Perhaps he

wouldn't have lost his leg.

Donovan looked incredibly uncomfortable. Admitting this was harder than death for him. He glared at Noelle.

"I've done what you asked, and now, it's your turn to keep your word. You mustn't go after Xenia anymore."

"Sure, but she's not allowed to

with the foundation

noel

= "Noelle replied. Herd

t wasn't Xenia anyway.

When Xenia realized she was safe,

she immediately smiled sweetlynet

"Thank you, Donovan. I promise I'll never make the same mistake and embarrass you again."

Donovan, however, looked at Wyatt with guilt. "I'll make it up to you."

Wyatt suddenly grabbed his hand. "I want to marry Xenia. You can't object." This

was what he'd like the most.

Donovan's expression turned cold. "That's the one thing I won't allow."

"Why? Donovan, do you perhaps like Xenia, too?"