No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 1097

After Noelle's straightforward rejection, Ashton's expression immediately shifted.

Rachel quickly pulled at Ashton, whispering, "Ashton, let's go—isn't the birthday party about to start?"

"Why aren't you coming in yet? What are you two doing out here?" A middle-aged woman, Sara Kinney, came out.

Rachel quickly said, "Sara, we're coming in right now. Ashton, let's go."

Ashton angrily pushed Rachel away. "What are you? How dare you order me around?" Rachel lost her balance and fell directly to the ground.

Noelle's expression changed slightly, and she quickly stepped forward to help Rachel up. "Are you okay?"

Rachel shook her head.

Noelle looked up and stared at Ashton, her tone particularly cold. "Apologize!"

"Why should I apologize to her? I'm the only male heir in the family—you should consider yourself lucky that I would even notice you. How dare you refuse me? What's so great about Yole University?"

His pride was bruised, and he began ranting like a sore loser.

Sara turned to Noelle, eyes narrowed with judgment. "Girls like you? I've seen plenty. Playing hard to get just to catch my precious son's attention?"

Noelle blinked, caught off guard by the absurd accusation.

Sara let out a snort. "What? Cat got your tongue now that I've called you out?"

Noelle's tone turned cool. "I've just never met anyone so shameless before."

Sara hissed, "What did you say? Shameless? Ashton's a catch; if he's interested in you, that's your blessing. Who do you think you are to reject him?"

Noelle lifted her chin. "First of all, I already have a boyfriend. Second, even if I were blind, I still wouldn't look twice at someone like your son."

Ashton's face twisted with anger. "What's that supposed to mean? Just because you go to Yole University? I've seen plenty of girls from there sell themselves to get close to rich men."

Sara nodded like it made perfect sense. "That's right. He's a man—he doesn't lose anything."

Rachel was practically shaking with frustration. She turned to Noelle and said softly, "I'm so sorry. You should go ahead and enjoy your meal first."

Noelle nodded. She didn't want to escalate things further—it would only put Rachel in a tough spot, especially since this was her grandmother's birthday dinner.

But Sara wasn't done. "Leaving already? After insulting us, don't you think you owe an apology?"

Rachel spoke up. "Sara, you insulted her, too."

Sara scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. That's not the same thing. She rejected Ashton—what right does some secondhand girl like her have to turn her nose up?"

Her tone oozed arrogance as she glared at Rachel. "If you keep defending her, let's see how you explain yourself to your grandmother later."

Rachel's eyes welled up with tears. "But this whole thing is your fault, not ours."