All Chapters of Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Caleb avoided Penelope's gesture and set the box in the empty passenger seat."She's young and has a sweet tooth," he said. "Aren't you cutting back on sugar?"Penelope stared at him in disbelief. He looked the same—gentle, handsome, composed. But after a long silence, something clicked. Maybe his feelings had changed. He always claimed Sydney was like a sister, but perhaps he'd started falling for her without realizing it.Her nails pressed into her palms. She no longer doubted he had feelings for Sydney."Are you always this nice to every friend's little sister?" she asked softly."She went no contact with Julian to marry me," Caleb said matter-of-factly. "Shouldn't I treat her better?"…Back home, Sydney stepped out of a hot shower and was blow-drying her hair when Tiffany walked in, carrying a plate of cherries.She popped one into Sydney's mouth and said, "Spill. What's wrong?""Huh?""You didn't look that upset, but my hawk-eyes say otherwise."Sydney gave a quiet lau

Julian already scheduled two full health check-ups for Agatha every year. No one knew her body better than he did.Agatha glared at him. "What incompetent doctor? That young lady is doing just fine. She's skilled, steady, and knows exactly what she's doing."Her eyes suddenly lit up. "She'd make a perfect granddaughter-in-law."Julian raised his brow in exasperation. "Every time you meet a young, breathing woman, you think she's a candidate for your granddaughter-in-law.""So what? Don't you trust my judgment?"He sighed. "Grandma, it's about compatibility.""Compatibility? How will you know if you never meet?" Agatha refused to back down. "Just wait. I'll visit a few more times, get to know her, then bring her for you to see. She's well-behaved and beautiful."Julian rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming on. Then he pressed a hand to his stomach. "Grandma, I'm hungry.""You haven't eaten yet?" She shot to her feet, dropped her cane, and walked briskly into the kitchen.

Sydney stepped back twice, yanking her collar out of his grip. The service staff had already cleared the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Only she and Victor remained in the dining room.Her expression chilled, and she said mockingly, "What now? Planning to flee abroad again?""Sydney!" Victor grabbed her throat and clenched his teeth. "So you want to do this the hard way? You think I still care what you want?""If you've got the guts, choke me," Sydney said through the pain, staring him down. "If not, let go. Don't act like a dog that only barks.""Tch." Victor broke into a grin, eyeing her with satisfaction. "Haven't seen you in years. You've gotten bold. Shame I didn't get you before I left the country. Caleb got off easy."He let her go and gave her cheek a patronizing pat. "But hey, being with a married woman has its own kind of flavor—"Sydney slapped him hard, cutting him off. The sound cracked through the air. Behind the folding screens in the drawing room, others

Sydney knew she couldn't avoid it. Her fingertips grazed her palm as she spoke in a low, steady voice. "Yes, he's been very busy lately. He said he'd try to come once he's done.""Hmph!" Eloise, seated across from her, zeroed in with mockery."Busy with work, or busy with something else?" she crooned, amused and cruel.Sydney lowered her gaze. "Grandma—""If you can't keep a man's heart, so be it," Eloise cut in. Her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear, and her tone steeped in contempt. "But to go online and defend the mistress? Sydney, do you even know how ugly the gossip is?"She didn't. But even Julian—cold as ever—had warned her that night. Thus, it had to be bad."Everyone says our family mistreated you. That's why you cling to the Hamptons and let them walk all over you!" Eloise jabbed a finger toward her face. "Tell me. Who in the Sterling family ever wronged you? You're making us look disgraceful!"Sydney didn't react. She kept her eyes fixed on the marble floor,

Sydney paused for a moment. She swallowed the swirl of emotions inside her, then looked at Julian and said in a crisp, detached tone, "Then I'll be leaving now. Thank you for earlier, Mr. Sterling.""Ms. Wilson—" Elliot began.Julian's mocking voice echoed. "Enough. Don't embarrass yourself."Sydney brushed her fingers across her palm without thinking, but her steps did not falter as she walked away.Watching the black Maybach fade into the night, Elliot muttered, "That was a total ambush.""What are you mumbling about?" Julian snuffed out his cigarette and slipped into the car. His silhouette, framed by the harsh winter wind, looked strangely desolate.Elliot climbed into the passenger seat. "Nothing. Just thinking how much slack Ms. Wilson gives Caleb. Every time we run into her, she's clearly still angry at you."But not at Caleb? That guy cheated on her, never comes back to the estate with her, lets her take all the punishment—"Suddenly, the air inside the car felt heavy,