LOGINAt that moment, the officer outside heard the commotion and pushed the door open. The instant he saw Sydney standing there, unharmed, he let out a breath. "Ms. Wilson, are you all right?""I'm fine." Sydney stepped aside to let him pass.As she moved, the edge of her vision caught Penelope's pale face. Nothing stirred in her. She simply turned to thank the officer. "Perfect timing. We're done talking anyway. Sorry for the trouble."Moments earlier, Penelope had still been shouting, her voice clashing with the rattle of chains and the scrape of the chair.Sydney had not caught every word. She did not want to. If she listened any longer, she feared she would lose what little composure she had left.As soon as Sydney stepped out of the interview room, she ran into Peter hurrying toward her. "Ms. Wilson!"He had watched her grow up. One look told him something was wrong. "Did Penelope say something awful to you?""No." Sydney forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm just a little tir
A sudden chill ran through Sydney, as if the cold from outside had seeped into her blood and left every inch of her body cold.She had no way to tell whether Penelope was telling the truth or lying. She only knew the words were like a poisoned needle. They struck with precise accuracy and pried open the suspicion she had worked so hard to suppress.Penelope and Jeremiah likely did not even know each other, yet what they said matched exactly.Could it be that the Hutton family had really played a part in that murder? And if they held that kind of power, did that mean they had long known the truth about her identity?'Then all the kindness they've shown me… Is it guilt, or is it real?'Sydney's nails dug into her palms, leaving red marks. The sharp pain pulled her back to a thread of reason."A mistake?" She rose abruptly, leaned forward slightly, and looked down at Penelope. Her voice was unexpectedly calm. "Penelope, do you take me for a child? If you think two vague lines can bu
After the officer stepped out and closed the door, Penelope drew a deep breath and forced down the resentment in her chest. She leaned back and said, "I can tell you. But I have one condition."Sydney's gaze remained cool. "What condition?"Penelope held her gaze for a long moment before she finally said, "Get me out of here."The demand almost made Sydney laugh. "You think far too highly of me. You're involved in a major drug case, not something I can fix just because I want to."If Sydney remembered correctly, Penelope and Megan faced the same charges: kidnapping and assisting drug trafficking.The second charge was one the country pursued without mercy. The fact that Penelope dared to ask was one thing. Sydney would not even consider it. No matter how powerful she became, she would never involve herself in a case like this."On your own, no, probably not." Since Penelope raised it, she had clearly thought it through. "But with Julian, definitely. Or, if you don't want to ask h
Sydney had just forced herself to calm down and stop spiraling when her phone rang in her bag.The caller ID showed the Jouleston City Police Department.Puzzled, she answered. "Hello?""Hello." A young male voice came through, brisk and official. "This is the Jouleston Police Department. Are you a family member of Penelope Monroe?"At the mention of Penelope's name, Sydney frowned. "No. You have the wrong person.""You're Ms. Sydney Wilson, correct?"The officer had just begun confirming her identity when another tense, urgent voice cut in. "Sydney, I know I did a lot wrong before. I know you won't acknowledge me as your sister-in-law, but do you remember the message I sent you last time? I wasn't lying. I really do know I was wrong. Can we meet? Please?"It was Penelope.Sydney had been about to hang up, but as her finger hovered over the end-call button, she paused.What had Penelope said in that message again? That she knew the truth about Sydney's background.On the othe
Jeremiah was an old fox. He caught her hesitation at once and spoke in a grave, measured tone. "This matter is too serious. Too many people are involved. No one would hand over the evidence to me lightly. Give me a little time, and I will show it to you. I was old friends with your father and mother. I would never joke about something like this. Besides, what would I gain by lying to you?"Sydney lowered her eyes and concealed every trace of emotion. She sat in silence for a long time, deep in thought.When she finally looked back at him, her gaze was cool and distant. "No matter what, I won't believe any of this unless I see the evidence."With that, she did not wait for him to speak again. She picked up her bag and strode out, leaving only one sentence behind. "Have a nurse remove the needles in 35 minutes."Marcus had readily agreed to let her return to the clinic, but in practice, he blocked any additional appointments for her. Her work hours were much shorter than before.Syd
Maybe Sydney's reaction was too calm, because Jeremiah looked faintly surprised. Still, he did not rush to speak. He simply asked her to treat him first."My cough has gotten much worse lately. I'll have to trouble you to take a look.""Of course."Sydney had taken over Jeremiah's treatment partly out of respect for the Shepard family. The only reason it had paused recently was that she had been unable to reach him.After examining him, she wrote a new prescription and adjusted his treatment plan.When she finished with the day's patients, she had him lie down on the exam bed in the consultation room and began the acupuncture session.As Sydney inserted the first needle, Jeremiah showed no sign of discomfort. Instead, he struck up a casual conversation. "Dr. Wilson, what do you think of the Hutton family?""The Hutton family?"Her hand paused for a fraction of a second. She did not know why he had suddenly brought them up. Still, she resumed placing the needles and answered in
Sydney avoided Julian's unblinking stare and drew a deep breath to mask her unease. "I'm waiting for Caleb.""Wait if you want," Julian said, utterly unabashed. "But don't forget what's in our agreement."Sydney's chest tightened. Seizing the moment when the maids looked away, she shot him a fierc
Six years ago, out of nowhere, someone handed the police a complete chain of evidence. At the same time, unseen pressure worked behind the scenes. The case was solved in less than five days. Victor's parents were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.Eloise's sharp, icy eyes cut towa
Sydney had never experienced this before, so lying on the bed seemed like it might at least give her a sense of security.She wore the nightdress Julian had chosen for her. The lace embroidery along the neckline and hem softened her appearance, making her look even more gentle and compliant.She h
It was Julian. He had clearly just showered, dressed in deep-blue loungewear. Compared to the sharp authority he carried in tailored suits, he looked different—still commanding, but softened by a hint of lazy ease.Sydney exhaled in relief and opened the door. "You're not staying at the old estate







