Chapter 9 But Noelle knew if she did that today , the Martinez family would just see it as proof that her " illness " was getting worse and lock her back in that hellhole of a sanatorium . She was an adult now , but she was still too weak to challenge the towering might of the Martinez family . Noelle exhaled softly , a bitter smile flickering across her lips . " If I'd admitted it back then , I never would've seen your true face . " Lucinda's expression shifted . Her gaze toward Noelle grew sharp and calculating . From the moment Noelle had returned to the Martinez family , Lucinda had been plotting ways to drive her out for good . To that end , she had studied Noelle more carefully than anyone else . Kidnapped as a child , Noelle was starved for love , riddled with insecurities , and always desperate to please . Her greatest fear wasn't hardship or cruelty - it was rejection , the sting of being unwanted . Lucinda had learned early on that the easiest way to break Noelle was to let her watch her own family turn against her , their disdain cutting deeper than any blade . With that thought , Lucinda dramatically yanked her hand free from Noelle's grip and staggered backward , as if pushed . She fell straight into Darin's arms . Darin's gaze turned icy . He caught Lucinda , holding her tight , lips pressed in a thin , furious line . However , for once , he stayed silent . " I knew it ! " Harold roared , his voice thick with rage . " That ungrateful snake would never apologize sincerely ! " Raymond's face clouded with disappointment . " Noelle , do you really want to go back to the sanatorium ? Apologize to Lucie ! " Lucinda's lips curled into a faint , triumphant smile . She waited for Noelle to offer her usual feeble protests , knowing they'd only stoke the family's anger . But Noelle's eyes remained steady , almost eerily calm . " Oh , I'm sorry , " she said , her voice cold and detached . That flat , rasping tone made the furious accusations around her seem almost unhinged by comparison . Lucinda's smile froze , a storm gathering in her eyes . Harold's jaw dropped . " You ... you ... " Noelle turned to Raymond , her voice devoid of emotion . " Can I go now ? " Raymond didn't answer . She'd apologized as promised , but her numb , distant expression felt like a knife twisting in his chest . He thought , " This is the obedient sister I've wanted , isn't it ? " Yet , for reasons he couldn't pinpoint , his heart churned with unease . Hester glanced between them , her voice tentative . " It was just a little push . They're sisters - let's not make a big deal out of it . Noe , you must be exhausted from the sanatorium . Why don't you go rest in your room ? " Noelle exhaled softly , a flicker of relief crossing her face . " Okay . " She turned and walked away without a moment's hesitation . This wasn't the Noelle they knew . The old Noelle would cling to them shamelessly , fumbling to win their approval with awkward gestures . Dans watched her retreating figure , his fists slowly tightening , He'd been close enough to see the truth : Lucinda had yanked Noelle's hand and thrown herself backward . 1921 Binance : Buy Bitcoin & Crypto 1.5 % Download O < Chapter 9 He thought , " Noelle knows she's innocent . She knows we've wronged her . So why isn't she fighting back ? " Noelle ! " he called out , unable to stop himself . But her frail silhouette didn't pause , not even for a second . A shadow settled over Darin's features , heavy and unshakable . The Martinez family felt it too , a ripple of unease spreading among them . Menu ucinda , though surprised , quickly recovered and said sadly , " She's sulking , isn't she ? I told her she didn't need to apologize , but Noelle's still mad it me . " What a schemer ! " Harold snapped , shoving down his own doubts . " Learned some manipulative tricks somewhere , hasn't she ? So low - class . " 3ut deep down , no one was entirely sure if she was playing games . Raymond and Hester were still skeptical but quickly shook themselves out of it and went back to entertaining their guests . Noelle left the banquet and found the butler , Aldwin Mendez . " Where's Mitchell ? I haven't seen him . " Aldwin paused before answering . " Mr . Mitchell is in his room . " Something felt off , and Noelle's stomach twisted . Binance : Buy Bitcoin & Crypto Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!