Chapter 84
As the Anderson family was still processing Noelle’s surprising revelation, Leia came skipping down the stairs with a radiant smile.
She was eager to share the exciting news that she was about to enter the entertainment industry, saying, “Dad, Mom, Charlie just called! His company is really interested in me. They want me to come to the studio next weekend to record some songs!”
However, instead of the praise and excitement she expected, Leia found herself facing a room full of wide–eyed stares directed at Noelle, as though they’d just heard something extraordinary.
Noelle, as expected, couldn’t help but embrace her role as the picture–perfect, sweet–but–sly charmer. So, when she heard Leia’s news, she immediately turned to her with a smile, offering a tone of exaggerated admiration, “Wow, Leia, that’s amazing! You’re going to record at Charlie’s company? That’s incredible!”
Leia’s face instantly fell.
Was this woman really going to make it that dramatic?
Eli, snapping back to reality, gave Noelle a playful tap on the head and said dryly, “Alright, enough with the theatrics. You’re the last person who should be saying that.”
“Why?” Noelle asked, genuinely surprised. Was her acting really that bad?
“You’re asking why?” Eli was speechless.
Noelle could say anything, but when it came from her, it just sounded off.
After all, she was a top chef, an outstanding race car driver, and now apparently some kind of expert’s disciple. She was too multi–talented to be complimenting someone like Leia, who hadn’t even stepped into the entertainment world yet. To anyone listening, it just felt fake.
At this moment, Kimberly and the others finally snapped out of their astonishment.
Kimberly smiled and turned toward Leia, clearly pleased. “Really, Leia? Charlie wants you to record in the studio? That’s wonderful! You’ve always loved singing, and who knows? Maybe the producer will notice you, and you’ll debut soon!”
If Kimberly had said that earlier, Leia would have been thrilled. But now, something was off. She could feel that her mother wasn’t as invested in her as she had been before, and she knew it was because of Noelle.
“Yeah, I’ll do my best,” Leia said, forcing a smile. She glanced at Noelle and, with a sweetness that almost made her sick, asked, “By the way, what were you all talking about downstairs? You all look so surprised?”
Kimberly, still smiling, gleefully replied, “Oh, you don’t know, Leia? Noelle is incredible! She just massaged your dad’s head for a bit, and his headache disappeared!”
“Really?” Leia’s face stiffened, but inside, she was shaking with disbelief.
She knew her father’s headache had been a long–standing issue. They had seen countless doctors, but no one could cure it. He always had to rely on medicine to get some relief.
And now, Noelle just massaged him for a little while and–voilà–his pain was gone? How could that be?
Kimberly, unaware of Leia’s inner thoughts, continued to praise Noelle. “It’s amazing, right? Noelle told us she’s an expert’s disciple. She’s really something special.”
Leia’s jealousy flared as she noticed Kimberly’s prideful expression. She forced a smile and turned to Noelle, saying, “Noelle, I had no idea you could treat illness. Who is this old expert you’ve learned from? I’ve never heard of him.”
Noelle hesitated, scratching her head awkwardly. “Well, I can’t really say. I promised him I wouldn’t.”
The expert was a recluse now, and Noelle respected his privacy. She had made a promise and intended to keep it.
“Oh, I see…,” Leia’s smile was tight, but inside, she was sneering. She knew Noelle couldn’t back up her claims. That “expert” of hers was probably just some quack.
Leia then put on a concerned expression. “But Noelle, you’re not a professional doctor. You shouldn’t be messing with Dad’s health like this. This time you got lucky, but next time, it might not work. Professional matters should be left to the professionals, don’t you think?”
Leia’s words seemed caring, as if she was looking out for Vincent. But Noelle wasn’t having it. She pouted and snapped back, “What do you mean,
1/3
Extro Check–in
Vouchers
Ad–Free Reading
Exclusive Profile
Badge
Chapter 84
leave it to professionals? I am a professional.”
“You?” Leia’s smile remained, but her eyes scanned Noelle from head to toe, clearly dismissing her. The way she looked at Noelle was like she was too beneath her to even argue with.
Noelle, though naive, could sense the insult. Just as she was about to return the attitude, Eli suddenly stepped in front of her.
He pulled Noelle behind him, then turned to Leia with a grin, shifting the conversation. “You know, Leia, there’s something you didn’t know about
Noelle.”
“What’s that?” Leia asked, shrinking back slightly. She was cautious now around Eli.
After all, she had upset him earlier when she persuaded Damon to go to the school, and now Eli was clearly angry.
Eli smirked. “Noelle’s a world–class race car driver. Even Damon admits she’s better than him. She could be a professional racer if she wanted to. Pretty impressive, right?”
Leia’s face drained of color.
“Wait, what?” she exclaimed, staring at Noelle in disbelief. “You can race?”
“Yeah,” Noelle nodded, clearly confused by Eli’s sudden change in tone. What was going on? Why was Eli acting like this, almost angry?
Leia looked over at Damon for confirmation. “Damon, is that true? Noelle’s better than you?”
“Yeah,” Damon said without hesitation, “she really is better.”
“How… how can that be?” Leia was stunned.
In her mind, Noelle had always been a useless, good–for–nothing girl. But now, she was learning that Noelle was apparently gifted at racing.
No wonder Damon had started treating her differently.
“So, Leia,” Eli said with a sly smile, “don’t you think it’s pretty amazing? Our sister is pretty awesome, don’t you think?”
Leia’s face went pale as Eli’s words took their toll.
She felt small, humiliated, and enraged all at once. Her heart burned with jealousy, but she couldn’t say anything positive about Noelle. It was killing her.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Leia?” Eli pressed, his tone growing sharper. “Aren’t you happy for Noelle?”
Leia’s lips trembled, but she refused to speak.
That was when Damon intervened. He stepped forward, pulling Leia behind him, and glared at Eli. “What’s your problem, Eli? Why are you being so hostile toward Leia?”
Eli, his frustration bubbling over, scoffed, “What’s wrong, Damon? I’m just asking Leia if she’s happy for Noelle. Is that a crime?”
“You’re crazy,” Damon muttered, knowing exactly what had set Eli off. He had seen Leia’s dismissive attitude toward Noelle and understood why Eli was so upset.
But Damon also understood Leia’s sense of injustice. After all, they had grown up together for years.
With a sigh, Damon turned to Leia. “You should go rest, Leia.”
“Damon…” Leia’s eyes were red as she looked up at him, her heart aching. At least Damon was still on her side.
She tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “Damon, will you walk me upstairs?”
Damon, seeing her tear–streaked face, couldn’t help but soften. “Alright, let’s go.”
After Leia and Damon left, Kimberly raised an eyebrow at Eli, sensing the tension. “Eli, what’s going on between you and Leia? Did you two fight?”
“No.” Eli muttered, fiddling with his tie, his frustration palpable. “I’m just… annoyed.”
2/3
Extra Check–in
Vouchers
Exclusive Profile
Ad–Free Reading
Badge
Chapter 84
His anger had been building ever since he saw Leia’s attitude toward Noelle. That smug, dismissive smile–it wasn’t like Leia at all. It was like something snapped inside Eli.
Maybe it was everything that had happened today, but now, looking at Leia, Eli could see so many things that were wrong with her.
Earlier, when he mentioned Noelle’s racing talent, he had wanted to test Leia’s reaction. And her response–so full of resentment and hesitation- had crushed him.
A terrifying thought suddenly crossed Eli’s mind.
The kind, understanding Leia he had always known might have never existed at all.
3/3
