Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 571 - Kabanata 580

Sydney's nerves, stretched tight all day, finally loosened a little.Of course she did not refuse. After she reminded Marcus of a few precautions, she returned to Delta Mansion with Julian.Delta Mansion stayed quiet even during the day, so the sudden activity caught them off guard. Night had settled in, and before they even stepped inside, they sensed an unusual bustle.Sydney exchanged a look with Julian. They walked in together and froze.The entire reception hall had been transformed. Around the coffee table, the floor was covered with mother-and-baby supplies. Large items included baby strollers, cribs, and changing tables in a wide range of styles, easily a dozen or more. Smaller items formed neat stacks of baby clothes and other essentials.Julian walked closer and noticed a set of jewelry on the coffee table. Agatha had treasured it for years and had never been willing to wear it.He clicked his tongue. "What exactly are you planning here?""For Sydney, of course." Agath

Adeline frowned, a cold tremor running through her from head to toe.The son she had carried to full term and raised with such effort now treated her with open indifference because of a woman."What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? I'm your mother. Is it wrong for me to worry about your marriage?" she demanded.Caleb’s expression turned even paler. "You're my mother. Of course you're not wrong. But when you went behind my back to handle the divorce paperwork, you should have expected this outcome. You also know I'm your son, not a puppet you can control."Adeline froze, while Caleb strode away without looking back.Timothy came charging downstairs like a cannonball and latched onto her leg. "Grandma, Grandma, was Uncle Caleb just back? Why didn’t he come upstairs to see me?"Adeline snapped out of it and gathered her only grandson into her arms, her voice heavy with heartache. "He was busy today. Next time he comes back, he’ll see you before he leaves.""You're not lyin

Diana lowered her gaze with calm composure. The chill in her eyes vanished without a trace, and her voice remained steady and even. "Very well. One willing, one consenting."It was a pity for Sydney, to have once stepped into such an unbearable family.The image of the young woman's gentle patience surfaced in Diana's mind and tightened her chest for reasons she could not explain.Only Florence grasped the deeper meaning behind those words.Adeline, however, was overjoyed. "I've already consulted a pastor and chosen an auspicious date. Why don't we finalize the engagement at the charity gala in a couple of days? Both families can settle everything then."Adeline wanted to see whether Sydney and Julian would still dare look down on her after she formed ties with the Hutton family in full view of the elites of Jouleston and Brimcrest. The Hamptons might not rival the Sterlings now, but an alliance with the Huttons would change everything.Florence understood her intentions at once,

Julian knew her too well. When it came to herself, she was never careful. At times, she even leaned toward self-destruction.But the child in her womb was different. That child was the family she had longed for.Sydney did listen. "All right. I promise.""Look at this number." Julian handed her his phone. A string of digits filled the screen.Sydney glanced at it and frowned. "Whose number is this?"She recognized only Julian's and Tiffany's numbers."Penelope." Julian spoke the name without hesitation. "The day after Thomas was released from prison, he received a call from her. They talked for almost 30 minutes."Sydney froze. She had never suspected Penelope, not even once.Penelope held no grudge against Eliana. During this period, Sydney had even deliberately kept her distance from her.So why?Before her emotions could swell, Julian continued in a calm voice, "I already called Raymond. He's on his way back to Seraph Villa."Penelope was staying with the Hutton family. I

Penelope had not interacted much with Diana before, so she did not immediately grasp the meaning behind the words.Meanwhile, Megan understood at once. Her heart lurched, but she forced the panic down. She pretended not to understand and waited for Penelope to respond.Only then did Penelope finally catch the implication in Diana's words.The eldest miss of the Hutton family was sharp and perceptive. Even without knowing every detail, she had already seen through the situation and realized that Megan stood behind it.But Megan held leverage over her. Penelope had no choice but to feign ignorance. "Diana, what do you mean by that?"Diana did not spare her another glance. Her gaze, calm yet oppressive, settled squarely on Megan."She didn't hear anything in my words," Diana said evenly. "But you did. Didn't you?""Diana…" Megan feared her from the depths of her heart. She clenched her hand, forced a smile onto her face, and said, "I don't understand what you mean either."Diana's