No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric) novel Chapter 900

Ruth's eyes lit up in surprise. "Really?"

Laura grinned. "This is great news, Mom. As long as we have Xenia under our control, we can shut that driver up before he starts saying too much."

Ruth nodded. "Exactly. The universe is finally giving me a break. Let's go see her."

Laura was thrilled. As long as the Merlocks stayed afloat, she still had a shot at going after that wretched Noelle. Later, the two of them headed straight to the warehouse where Xenia was being kept.

It was an old, abandoned facility, and Laura wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Mom, is this place really appropriate?"

"This is one of our family's storage sites. It's private and safe—no one's going to stumble in here," Ruth assured her.

They walked deeper inside and soon spotted a woman tied hand and foot, a gag over her mouth.

Once her blindfold was removed, Xenia blinked rapidly, startled to see the Merlocks standing in front of her.

A wave of dread settled in her chest, wondering how she had suddenly fallen into their hands. She had an awful feeling—they definitely wanted to use her for something.

Ruth clicked her tongue as she looked Xenia over. "If you're willing to cooperate, get your father to take full responsibility for what happened, and I'll make sure you live the rest of your life in luxury."

Laura chimed in, "The Liddells are just using you. Once you're no longer useful, do you really think they'll still treat you well?"

Xenia lowered her head, thinking it over, but weren't the Merlocks using her the exact same way?

In truth, there wasn't much difference between the Liddells and the Merlocks.

Ruth's tone hardened. "Have you decided? If you say no, then those deep pits behind this warehouse will be where you end up."

Xenia turned her head and glanced toward the back. Immediately, a chill ran down her spine—she didn't want to die.

"Why me?" she asked Ruth. "Wasn't it my father who made the call back then to take out Noelle's parents?"

Ruth sneered. "That's just a convenient lie for the public. Your father has evidence—proof of the deal we made. If you destroy that evidence or convince him to take the fall alone, the Merlocks will reward you handsomely."

Laura added, "Not only that, but we'll help you sever ties with the Liddells. You'll finally be free from their control."

Ruth snapped, grabbing Xenia by the throat. "Don't you dare talk to me like that, you little bitch."

"Sure, you're the elegant, high-society matron," Xenia gasped, her voice strained. "But didn't you use Emma as your scapegoat, hoping that when everything blew up, the Greene family would clean up the mess for you? Too bad. They didn't even lift a finger."

Ruth's face contorted in fury. "You filthy little rat! Who told you all this? Was it Sean?"

Other than Sean, no one should've known the full truth.

Xenia's smug smile returned. "It looks like I hit the nail on the head."

Ruth slapped her hard across the face. "So what if you know? The Greene family's never going to believe you anyway!"

Xenia chuckled. "Is that so? Are you sure about that?"

A low voice interrupted from the shadows, and Cedric stepped forward, emerging from the darkness, his eyes locked on the Merlock women.