No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 16

Noelle noticed how Lucas was looking at her and frowned slightly. At that moment, her phone buzzed with a call from Frank.

"Noelle, you're at the venue, right?"

An ominous feeling crept over her. She wanted to deny it, but the screams of the fans all around her gave Frank his answer before she could.

"Noelle, something urgent just came up at the company, so Blake and I can't make it to the match. This competition is significant for Lucas. You should step in and join the team.

"Whatever issues you and Lucas had before, we need to stick together and stand united when facing challenges, right?"

The moment Frank's words hit her, the noise of the screaming fans faded into the background, swallowed by her silence. It was the kind of silence that spoke volumes.

Without saying a single word, Noelle ended the call. She didn't feel like explaining herself. She hadn't gone there that day to compete. She was there to watch the drama unfold.

On stage, Lucas glanced toward the audience, waiting. His irritation began to show when Noelle didn't move from her seat or head backstage.

"What's Noelle's deal? Does she expect me to go down there and ask her personally?" he muttered, his jaw tightening.

A flicker of amusement flashed across Xenia's eyes. "Lucas, let me message Noelle and check in with her. But honestly, seeing her just sitting there in the audience, I guess that she'd still be upset. If she wasn't, you know as well as I do that she'd already be backstage by now."

Lucas thought back to how Noelle used to be. She never needed him to say anything; she simply understood. He'd grown used to her always being there for him. But now, it was like she'd turned into someone completely different.

Lucas' tone was stiff as he said, "Call her. I'll let bygones be bygones if she's willing to join the match. I'll continue treating her like a sister, just like before."

The memory of what had happened at school flickered in his mind. He knew that he'd been too impulsive. He'd let it go as long as Noelle was willing to let it go, too. They could all go back to the way things used to be.

Xenia's expression froze for a split second, but she recovered quickly. "Alright. I'll call her now. I'm sure she'll join for your sake."

Lucas' expression softened at her words, his frustration easing slightly.

Xenia stepped off to the side, pulling out her phone. Her eyes found Noelle in the audience, her gaze darkening.

Noelle noticed the name flashing on her screen. She didn't need to think twice to know what this call was about and what Xenia would say.

Without hesitation, Noelle declined the call, her expression cold and unwavering.

Xenia blinked at the abrupt rejection, surprise flickering across her face. But it didn't take long for a smug smile to replace it.

She reluctantly accepted the information. There was no need to waste her time anyway.

Xenia hadn't wanted Noelle to join the match anyway. She didn't want Noelle stealing her spotlight.

She wanted Noelle to sit there and watch with her own eyes how she and Lucas were going to win this match without any help from her!

When Xenia returned to Lucas, her eyes were red, her expression pitifully remorseful. "Lucas, it's my fault. I'm terrible with words, and Noelle probably hates me now. That must be why she didn't answer my call. Should I just go talk to her in person?"

Lucas' face darkened, his voice hard. "No need. Frank just told me that he called her, too, and she hung up on him. It's clear that Noelle never planned to join the team or play in the match. Don't bother wasting your time."

"Lucas, I don't think Noelle's that kind of person. She wouldn't come here just to laugh at us," Xenia said.

"We're going to win this match. There's no way we're letting Noelle get what she wants."

Without another glance at the audience, Lucas slid on his headset, closing himself off.

Seeing his reaction, a spark of satisfaction flickered in Xenia's eyes. "Noelle, this time, I'm going to win again," she thought.

Soon after, the match began between Team Luminark and Team Trailblaze.

Noelle's gaze shifted to the massive screen displaying the live commentary. Right from the start, Lucas, playing as the assassin, led his team into position for an ambush.