LOGINSydney's heart dropped to her stomach. If the people who had come for her were sent by Penelope, she might still have had a chance to escape.But these people were after Julian. She was the weak point they could exploit to control him. Worse, she had no idea who stood behind them.For now, they were still in Jouleston. As long as she could reach Julian, she had options. Once they left Jouleston, she would lose every advantage.She drew a quiet breath and forced herself to steady her thoughts. "Since you're targeting him, you'll need me to contact him sooner or later. If you let me go, I can help you lure him out."The bespectacled man froze for a beat, then broke into a mocking laugh. "Are you trying to help us trick him, or are you trying to trick me? You and Julian have what, ten years together? Maybe twenty?"His gaze drifted to Sydney's already noticeable belly. "And you're pregnant with his child. You really think you can turn on him that easily?""Normally, no." Sydney uncl
At this point, Dorothy no longer dared to stop him. She could hear the urgency in Julian's voice. The fact that he had not stormed straight into the family hall already showed restraint and respect for her help in obtaining the antidote.She turned to the housekeeper and spoke decisively. "Take Mr. Sterling to the family hall."Surprise flickered through Julian's eyes. Outsiders rarely gained access to the family hall. Given the urgency, he did not hesitate and headed there at once.George, who stood guard outside, looked up and flinched at the murderous chill on Julian's face. After the housekeeper explained the situation, he hurriedly said, "I'll go call Mr. Hampton right away.""No need."Before the words could fully register, Julian stepped straight into the hall.George reacted too late to stop him. Fortunately, the housekeeper spoke up in time. "The old madam allowed Mr. Sterling to enter."George froze, cold sweat spreading across his palms. No sound came from inside for
At first listen, Julian's words sounded calm. Yet only Elliot, who had followed him for so many years, could hear how wrong they felt.When had Julian ever spoken with such uncertainty?In Elliot's eyes, Julian had always been decisive and razor sharp, a man who never hesitated. A heavy weight settled in Elliot's chest, and for a moment, he could not find the words to speak.He wanted to say that Sydney had been clever since childhood, that she had survived safely even under Eloise's watch. This time would be no different. She would escape again.But he did not even know where she was. Her phone remained powered off. Something had already gone terribly wrong.In the driver's seat, Peter gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. His foot pressed the accelerator nearly to the floor as the car tore through traffic.Every second they saved increased the chance of Sydney returning safely.…When they reached the Hampton estate, a maid opened the gate. The moment she sa
On the phone, a mechanical female voice announced that the device was powered off.Marcus' unease surfaced at once. "Was that Mr. Hampton?""Yes." Julian's chest tightened. His expression darkened as he put his phone away and turned to Alan. "Something may have happened to Sydney. I need to find her immediately. I'll leave a few bodyguards here. If anything happens, you can—""All right, all right," Alan cut him off, no less anxious. "I don't need you worrying about me. Go find Sydney. Now."She was still pregnant. Nothing could happen to her. Regret crept in as Alan wondered if he should have stopped Sydney earlier, if he should have kept her from leaving at all.Marcus looked at Julian. "I'll go with you. Another person means more help.""I don't lack manpower." Julian refused without hesitation. "You stay here with Alan and confirm whether the antidote is safe."With that, he strode away with Elliot, not slowing for even a second.The moment they left the ward, the pressure
Dorothy's expression darkened, and her tone sharpened. "And what about you? If you drive her to death, will you finally be satisfied?"*Drive her to death?* Caleb froze. "How could I ever think that?"He had never wanted to push her that far. He would have treated her well. He wanted only one more chance between them. Even if she had asked for the moon, he would have tried to reach it."Then what have you been thinking?" Dorothy stared at him, disappointment and anger plain in her eyes. "If your grandfather were still alive, his cane would already be coming down on you. If you truly cannot figure it out, go kneel in the family hall. Stay there until you do."Over the years, compared to Lucas, the eldest grandson who had already passed away, she had always favored Caleb. She never imagined that someone so clear-headed could be this stubborn in matters of the heart, refusing to turn back until he reached a dead end.If she had never known Sydney, she might have turned a blind eye an
Hampton Corp. was under Caleb's control. The moment he stepped outside its doors, he would have to act in accordance with the Sterlings' wishes.Caleb was a smart man. He understood immediately that this was Julian's message, delivered through the mouth of a subordinate.After only a few seconds of hesitation, he walked to the safe, took out the antidote, and tossed it toward Julian."Does Syd know that the righteous, upright 'good brother' she holds in such high regard doesn't hesitate to strike at the old, the weak, or the sick?" His voice carried a sharp edge of mockery.Julian caught the vial with one hand, his expression utterly indifferent. "You're not any better."He said nothing more. He turned and led his people out. The priority now was to get the antidote back to the hospital. Only then could Sydney truly breathe again.Caleb watched Julian's retreating figure, a flicker of killing intent flashing through his eyes. His fingers closed slowly around the vial until his kn







