Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 271 - Kabanata 280

These days, Sydney could tell that whenever Elliot and the others reported to Julian, they kept it as brief as possible.She opened the front door and stepped inside to change her shoes. "Didn't you used to hate people who rambled?""I feel like listening now." Julian followed at an easy pace, caught her by the waist, and lifted her effortlessly onto the entryway cabinet. One arm rested by her leg as his dark eyes swept over her. "So tell me."His cologne and the faint sandalwood warmth of his skin mingled in the air between them, heating her ears. She gave in and obediently repeated the trivial update he already knew."It's that security camera I asked Elliot to install. It came in handy today.""That's it?"She was almost more concise than his secretaries—nothing like before, when even the smallest thing could have her chattering for hours."That's it." Sydney nodded and covered a yawn. "I'm tired."She had not slept in over 24 hours. After burning through her brain all after

"It's fine." Sydney smiled. "You can't see into people's hearts. Until something happens, no one can be sure."She paused, then asked anyway, "Did they ever say who put them up to it?"She suspected Penelope, but the logic faltered. Penelope had been waiting to profit, so why would she sabotage the data herself?"No one," Henry said.Then, worried he hadn't been clear, he added, "No one was behind it."His voice held more shame now. "Those two men just resented you for being young. At first, Wallace didn't plan to side with Hugh. But when he realized flattering you didn't earn him favor, he…"Henry trailed off. The words the men had used were uglier. They couldn't stand that a woman had been placed above them.When Sydney's brows drew together, Henry tried to shift the mood. Smiling, he said, "But there's one less thing to worry about. Penelope won't be cutting into our results.""What do you mean?"Wasn't the joint research project government-backed?Henry lifted a finger, p

Not only Sydney but even Charlotte froze. Eloise actually wanted her to persuade Julian to agree to this marriage.Sydney feigned confusion. "Marriage is a serious matter. Shouldn't you be the one concerned? I'm younger than he is. It's hardly my place to bring it up."Given Julian's temperament, if he didn't want to marry someone, no one in the world could make him. And if Eloise had come to her, Sydney knew Julian had already rejected the idea outright. Thus, she had no intention of stepping on that land mine.Eloise's clouded eyes narrowed, her displeasure clear. She gave a cold laugh. "So now that you've got someone backing you, you've grown wings? I raised you all these years for nothing—"Sydney didn't want to make a scene or invite more trouble. She softened her tone, serious yet weary. "Grandmother, my relationship with him may have improved, but you know what kind of man he is. Back then, he left me without a shred of mercy. How could he possibly dote on me now?"At best,

Sydney had barely settled into her seat when she felt the man beside her radiating displeasure. She turned her head and met the chill in his eyes.Realization struck at once. The noise outside the dining room door earlier hadn't been a stray cat. It had been this man.Before he could speak, Sydney rushed to explain. "I only agreed to her request on the surface. I never intended to interfere in your relationship with Ms. Lindstrom."Of course, she couldn't admit that pressure had forced her hand. No matter how strained Julian's relationship with Eloise was, she was still his grandmother. And Sydney? She was nothing more than an outsider.Julian cut her off before she could continue, his lips curling in ridicule. "That's true. I'm such a heartless man. How would you dare meddle in my affairs?"A shiver ran through her—not from guilt. She lifted her gaze and met his eyes. "Was I wrong to say that?"Those words from years ago remained vivid in her mind. She had thought him heartless

Just before stepping out of the elevator, Caleb glanced at Julian, his tone edged with helplessness. "For what I just said, I'll have to trouble you to put in some extra effort."Julian inclined his head slightly. Caleb turned and strode away.The doors slid shut.Sydney frowned. "What did he ask you to put effort into?"Her instincts told her it had something to do with her.Julian's cool gaze flicked over her. "He said that he would've divorced you 800 times already if he hadn't realized he'd mistaken the person."Sydney didn't believe a word of it. That was pure Julian. Still, if Caleb truly thought that way, that would suit her just fine.When she fell silent, Julian's lips curved. "Heartbroken?""What would I be heartbroken for?" Sydney shot back unyieldingly. "At least I've been married once. You? All you've got is a photo of your crush tucked in your wallet."She smiled mockingly. "Never thought you'd take the path of repressed, restrained love—"Before she could finis