Chapter 84 Chapter 84 As the Anderson family was still processing Noelles 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 theyd just heard something extraordinary .
Noelle , as expected , couldnt help but embrace her role as the picture perfect , sweet but sly charmer .
So , when she heard Leias news , she immediately turned to her with a smile , offering a tone of exaggerated admiration , Wow , Leia , thats amazing ! Youre going to record at Charlies company ? Thats incredible ! Leias 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 .
Youre the last person who should be saying that .
Why ? Noelle asked , genuinely surprised .
Was her acting really that bad ? Youre 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 experts disciple .
She was too multi talented to be complimenting someone like Leia , who hadnt 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 ? Thats wonderful ! Youve always loved singing , and who knows ?
Maybe the producer will notice you , and youll debut soon! If Kimberly had said that earlier , Leia would have been thrilled .
But now , something was off .
She could feel that her mother wasnt as invested in her as she had been before , and she knew it was because of Noelle .
Yeah , Ill 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 dont know , Leia ? Noelle is incredible ! She just massaged your dads head for a bit , and his headache disappeared ! Really ? Leias face stiffened , but inside , she was shaking with disbelief .
She knew her fathers 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 Leias inner thoughts , continued to praise Noelle .
Its amazing , right ? Noelle told us shes an experts disciple .
Shes really something special .
Leias jealousy flared as she noticed Kimberlys 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 youve learned from ? Ive never heard of him .
Noelle hesitated , scratching her head awkwardly .
Well , I cant really say .
I promised him I wouldnt .
The expert was a recluse now , and Noelle respected his privacy .
She had made a promise and intended to keep it .
Oh , I see ... , Leias smile was tight , but inside , she was sneering .
She knew Noelle couldnt back up her claims .
That expert of hers was probably just some quack .
Leia then put on a concerned expression .
But Noelle , youre not a professional doctor .
You shouldnt be messing with Dads health like this .
This time you got lucky , but next time , it might not work .
Professional matters should be left to the professionals , dont you think ? Leias words seemed caring , as if she was looking out for Vincent .
But Noelle wasnt 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 ? Leias 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 , theres something you didnt know about Noelle .
Whats 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 .
Noelles a world class race car driver .
Even Damon admits shes better than him .
She could be a professional racer if she wanted to .
Pretty impressive , right ? Leias face drained of color .
Wait , what ? she exclaimed , staring at Noelle in disbelief .
You can race ? Yeah , Noelle nodded , clearly confused by Elis 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 ? Noelles 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 , dont you think its pretty amazing ? Our sister is pretty awesome , dont you think? Leias face went pale as Elis words took their toll .
She felt small, humiliated , and enraged all at once .
Her heart burned with jealousy , but she couldnt say anything positive about Noelle .
It was killing her .
Why arent you saying anything , Leia ? Eli pressed , his tone growing sharper .
Arent you happy for Noelle ? Leias lips trembled , but she refused to speak .
That was when Damon intervened .
He stepped forward , pulling Leia behind him , and glared at Eli .
Whats your problem , Eli ? Why are you being so hostile toward Leia ? Eli , his frustration bubbling over , scoffed , Whats wrong , Damon ? Im just asking Leia if shes happy for Noelle .
Is that a crime ? Youre crazy , Damon muttered , knowing exactly what had set Eli off .
He had seen Leias dismissive attitude toward Noelle and understood why Eli was so upset .
But Damon also understood Leias 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 ... Leias 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 , couldnt help but soften .
Alright , lets go .
After Leia and Damon left , Kimberly raised an eyebrow at Eli , sensing the tension .
Eli , whats going on between you and Leia? Did you two fight ? No.
Eli muttered , fiddling with his tie , his frustration palpable .
Im 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 Leias attitude toward Noelle .
That smug , dismissive smile it wasnt 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 Noelles racing talent , he had wanted to test Leias reaction .
And her response so full of resentment and hesitation- had crushed him .
A terrifying thought suddenly crossed Elis mind .
The kind , understanding Leia he had always known might have never existed at all .
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