"I start school in two months," Noelle said into the phone, "so my streaming schedule will be unpredictable."

"No problem!" Firestorm's rep boomed. "Weekends only. How's that sound?"

Noelle was stunned. "I... I'll think about it."

"We're competitive," the rep pressed. "Starlight offered you half a million, right? We're offering a million a year."

Temptation tugged at Noelle. "That's... amazing. I'll get back to you."

She hung up and walked into the living room. Cedric was on his phone.

"Sir, the Firestorm executives are following your instructions—" a voice cut off abruptly as Cedric saw Noelle. He pocketed his phone. "Fruit's on the table."

Noelle's throat was dry. She grabbed a piece of fruit. "Firestorm wants me weekends only, and a million-dollar signing bonus."

"They see your potential," Cedric said, his gaze steady. "Smart investment."

Noelle grinned. "Tuition and living expenses, sorted!"

Since leaving the Liddells, she hadn't touched her old accounts.

Cedric's gaze deepened. "Anything else you want to do?"

Noelle blinked. "Not really. Money's my biggest worry now."

After finishing her fruit, she went to her room. Alfred emerged from his. "Ced, you've set Nelly up. Aren't you leaving?"

Cedric's face tightened. "After she starts school."

Alfred sighed. "You can't fall for her, Ced. They're not a good match."

That accident years ago... they could never be together. Noelle still didn't know who Cedric really was. If she found out…

The next day, Noelle signed with Firestorm. Money was the goal.

An invitation arrived: "Influencer social event tomorrow night." In her past life, she'd desperately wanted to go, but Lucas had taken Xenia.

But she needed a dress. Cedric and Alfred were out. A note on the table read: "Nelly, errands!"—Alfred's messy scrawl.

Noelle hailed a cab. Shopping with her own money felt empowering.

"Noelle? What are you doing here?"

Rachel, her class president, stood before her. "Buying clothes," Noelle smiled.

"For the influencer event?"

"How'd you know?"

"My brother's crew. He mentioned SweetNelly might be there."

"You alone?" Noelle asked.

"Just left the internet café. Want company?"

Noelle agreed. They headed to the mall's top floor.

"Expensive stuff," Rachel whispered.

"Don't worry," Noelle said, walking into a designer boutique. A saleswoman greeted her, "Ms. Liddell..."

"Noelle's cards are frozen," a voice sneered. Xenia and Betty sauntered in.