No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 1085

Cedric had always been wary of Carl. He couldn't explain why, but there was something dangerous about him.

Alfred sighed. "We're still looking into it. There isn't much staff turnover on that island, and most of them have signed confidentiality agreements.

"They don't know much beyond their duties. The management of the island is strange, too."

Cedric stubbed out his cigarette. "Keep digging. We can't let our guard down. Something will surface if we give it time."

"Got it. I'll arrange for a few people to get hired on the island as insiders. With enough time, we'll eventually find out what secrets it's hiding." Alfred looked a bit concerned.

He continued, "But your mom's treatment isn't over yet. Now that the lawsuit's over, Carl will probably head back to the island. Are you going to let your mom follow him there?"

"No." Cedric was firm. "We don't even know what kind of place that island is. I'm not letting her go."

Alfred hummed. "I figured. Still, it's best to make early plans."

Cedric nodded. "I know what I'm doing. Now that we've identified the poisoning, the hospital will be able to work on a treatment."

It was impossible for only the people on the island to do it. Maybe they were ahead in their research, but with enough time and money, an antidote or treatment could be found elsewhere, too.

Cedric didn't trust Carl.

…

Meanwhile, Noelle had just gotten into the car when Mia handed her a bouquet and smiled. "Congratulations!"

Noelle took the flowers and said, "Thanks."

Mia giggled. "Grace is decorating the apartment, so I came to pick you up."

Noelle smiled as she said, "Thanks for staying by my side all this time."

"What are you saying? We're your friends. Of course, we were going to be with you!"

Noelle felt a rare sense of peace. Eugene drove them to the apartment's parking lot and escorted the two girls upstairs.

Back in the apartment, Grace had already decorated the living room and even brought over a basin of water to the entrance.

Grace beamed. "My mom says you should wash your hands clean of your past and start anew!"

Noelle looked at the basin and washed her hands with it.

She walked into the living room and noticed the couch was filled with gifts. She gasped. "Did you guys prepare all this?"

Grace jumped in. "No way! These are gifts from the girls in our dorm. They picked them out for you to celebrate!"

Mia added, "Everyone knows what happened in your family. After I found out about Xenia's death, I arranged for everything to be exposed.

"You saved so many of us in the dorms. Everyone knows the kind of person you are. That's why the truth behind her death cleared your name so quickly."

Grace butted in. "Exactly. With Mia's article, everything has been cleared up."