Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 561 - Kabanata 570

The pendant looked ordinary. Its quality and clarity revealed nothing unusual. Yet after one glance, Julian's expression shifted into a subtle and complicated one. He lowered his eyes to the young woman who watched him with quiet curiosity.Sydney did not understand. "What's wrong?"Julian turned the smooth pendant between his fingers. Instead of answering, he asked, "Why have I never seen you wear it?"Sydney pressed her lips together. "I was afraid of losing it again, so I couldn't bear to wear it."Whether it came from her adoptive parents or her biological parents, it was the only proof she had ever been loved by family. She had always guarded it like a treasure.Julian saw the faint ache behind her eyes. A tight pull rose in his chest. Without asking for her opinion, he loosened the knot, lifted his hands behind her neck, and fastened the pendant around her throat."Wear it. It looks good." When she reached up to remove it, he caught her hand. "Don't worry. You will not lose

'Would I?' Sydney had never considered that question.Years of hardship had shaped her into a quiet pessimist. The fact that her biological parents were not drug traffickers already felt like a small miracle. She never let herself imagine anything better. She had even braced herself for the chance that her family might reject her.Sydney lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. She shook her head. "I don't think I would be sad. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you."Without those years, she never would have lived under the same roof with Julian for nine long years. Her memories of her family had faded, but Julian had remained solid and real. He taught her how to protect herself and how to grow stronger.Julian froze, the pressure under his ribs tightening. He pinched her cheek. "That isn't certain."If the universe's grand plan had changed, they would have met in another place with different identities. She would not have been the small, pitiful girl kneeling in the mourning hall

As soon as Eliana was transferred into a VIP ward, Julian guided Sydney into a chair with steady pressure."No matter how worried you are, you cannot ignore your own body," he said.Sydney did not argue. Once she finished checking Eliana's pulse, she already knew that anxiety achieved nothing. All they could do was wait for the research institute to analyze the blood sample. Only then could she formulate an antidote.Yet no matter how she examined the situation, she could not understand how Eliana had been poisoned.Elliot's call arrived at the perfect moment.It was for Julian, but he handed the phone to her at once, aware of the tension in her eyes."Miss, the police have not found anything toxic in the house. But after checking the surveillance footage…" Elliot hesitated.Sydney asked, "Found what?""They discovered that Caleb visited Alan's home earlier today. After he left, Eliana went out in a hurry. Something must have happened. She returned soon after, and not long afte

Sydney kept her focus on Eliana's condition. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. She pressed her lips together and said, "Not very good."Caleb looked taken aback. "Even you and Alan can't handle it?"Julian sat beside them, working through documents with steady movements. His gaze drifted toward them at quiet intervals, yet he said nothing.Sydney had expected Caleb's question."The toxin is too complex. I can't resolve it for now. When Alan returns, he might have a solution," she answered in a plain tone. She understood the truth. Without a full analysis from the research institute, no antidote could be formulated. She still hoped Alan would return to Jouleston soon.Caleb stared at her with disbelief and worry. Then he said, softer than before, "Then wait until Alan returns and check together. Take care of yourself. Don't overwork. You're carrying a child."Julian's brows lifted a fraction. He stayed silent, yet the pressure of his pen against the paper grew heavier.Sydne

On the other end of the line, Megan stepped onto the balcony. She closed the soundproof door behind her and looked down at the empty backyard while a faint smile tugged at her lips. "I'm afraid. But you won't be."People who couldn't obtain what they wanted always looked the most pathetic. She had already handed Caleb an opportunity on a silver platter and did not believe he would refuse it.Inside the car, Caleb started the engine. His gaze sharpened. "I'll ask one more time. Where are you?"His patience was nothing like the rumors suggested. He had no interest in games.Megan remained unhurried. She rested one hand on the railing. "Where I am does not matter. What matters is that I left the antidote at the Hampton estate.""The old estate?" His reaction flickered with surprise.She laughed lightly. "Yes, the old estate. Mr. Hampton, I'll give you a friendly reminder. This is your last chance to win back what you lost."Her manicured finger tapped the railing. Her tone had an a