Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 781 - Kabanata 790

Diana leaned back in her chair and studied her brother. Her expression had relaxed considerably since a moment ago.She picked up the glass of water from the table, took a sip, and spoke in an unhurried tone. "The people Leon has been reaching out to are Dad's old subordinates from his days in Brimcrest. Now that Dad has been transferred overseas, Leon sees it as the perfect opportunity."Raymond frowned. "What does he want from them? To counterbalance the Kingston family? Or use their connections to make trouble for our family?"Diana had already seen through his intentions. "Both, but mostly the second. He's not in a good position right now. The Kingstons aren't happy with him, and the Jillsons certainly won't speak up for him. He has fewer and fewer cards left to play."The only one he still has is the title of 'the Hutton family's son-in-law.' Even though we've already signed the divorce agreement, as long as it hasn't been finalized, that's still how outsiders see him."Raymo

Leon scoffed inwardly. 'To go this far for an outsider, refusing to let the matter go because of him, what an idiot.'Silence filled the private room for two seconds.The more Leon thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. "Hugo, she said she thinks of you as a little brother, and you actually believed her? You and I are the real brothers. We're the ones who actually share the same blood—""That's my business, not yours," Hugo cut him off before he could finish.For a fleeting moment, something faint but unyielding surfaced in his usually cool, detached eyes."You wronged her. You should pay for it." His voice remained calm, but it left no room for argument. "If you don't value her, plenty of people will."Before the last word had even faded, someone pushed open the door to the private room from the outside.Hugo looked up, saw Raymond standing there, and let the rest of his words die in his throat.Raymond stood in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the two brothers facing

Callum did not take it to heart. He glanced at his watch, then rose to his feet. "It's getting late. I should head back to the hotel."He looked at Hugo with a warm smile. "Want to come along? I can give you a ride."Hugo hesitated for a moment before turning his bright eyes toward Diana. "Can I stay the night?"Diana looked mildly surprised, but she agreed without hesitation. "Of course you can. Ray, have the staff prepare a room for Hugo. I'll see Callum out.""Sure." Raymond nodded, giving Hugo a meaningful look before getting up to find a maid.Diana and Callum walked side by side toward the entrance.When they reached the courtyard gate, Callum stopped, glanced back at her, and spoke in a gentle tone. "That Kingston boy is your ex-husband's younger brother, isn't he?""Yes."Callum nodded. "You two seem close."Diana laughed softly. "I watched him grow up. He's practically a little brother to me."Callum said nothing more. He simply smiled. "I'll get going, then. Let's h

The next day, Hugo woke early. He came downstairs in a white turtleneck sweater and dark casual pants, looking crisp and put together. The only thing out of place was the faint shadow beneath his eyes.Florence spotted him first. Her gaze lingered on his face. "Hugo, didn't you sleep well? Not used to a new bed?""No." Hugo walked over and steadied her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I had some work to deal with yesterday and stayed up late."He could hardly admit it was because of Leon's phone call. He had been too angry to sleep."Work matters, but your health matters more." Florence chided him gently as he helped her sit at the table.Then she called toward the stairs, "James, Diana, come down for breakfast. Don't keep our guest waiting."A moment later, footsteps echoed from the staircase.James had returned from a business trip the night before, arriving home around 2:00 a.m. He wore a crisply pressed light blue shirt and looked reasonably alert, though a hint of fatig

A light rain drifted down from the sky, and the cold bit deep.Sydney stepped beneath the eaves before speaking, her tone calm and unhurried. "Mr. Clifford, why didn't you call ahead? If I hadn't been seeing patients today, you would have made the trip for nothing." Jeremiah stepped forward naturally as he spoke, his tone warm and familiar. "I checked online first and saw you had clinic hours this morning. Besides, I've been feeling much better lately, so it wouldn't have mattered even if the trip had been for nothing.""And this way I get to see how you've been doing too. Is the baby doing well?" His gaze dropped to Sydney's visibly pregnant belly, his smile kind and concerned, every bit the picture of an elder looking out for someone from the younger generation.Without changing her expression, Sydney shifted half a step aside and gestured for him to enter. "Let's go inside and talk. It's cold out here."Jeremiah nodded and followed her into the clinic.The heat inside was run