Lahat ng Kabanata ng Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Kabanata 791 - Kabanata 800

Tiffany was bent over changing her shoes. At the question, she shot the man beside her a sideways glance before answering, looking slightly flustered, "I told him he didn't need to pick me up. He insisted."It sounded like a complaint, but once she finished changing her shoes, she naturally stepped aside to make room for Raymond. Nothing about the gesture suggested she was trying to avoid him.Sydney understood immediately and let the matter drop. "Perfect timing. Grandma was just asking why you weren't here yet."She looped her arm through Tiffany's and glanced at Raymond. "Ray, Julian's up in the study. He said to send you up as soon as you got here. He probably wants to talk to you about something."The moment he heard that, Raymond knew exactly what Julian wanted to discuss. It had to be Jeremiah. The man's background was so spotless that it had become suspicious.His gaze lingered on Tiffany for a moment before he nodded. "All right. I'll head up."Once Raymond disappeared u

Charlotte laughed softly. "I'm glad you liked them. I'll send more your way next time I get some."With that, she made the rounds, greeting the rest of the Hutton family and the Conton couple in turn.Tonight, she was not there as Julian's secretary but as the Lindstrom heiress. Expanding her circle could only benefit her when she eventually took over the family business.Before long, dinner was served, and everyone took their seats.Eliana could not help but sigh. "It's been so long since things were this lively."Their son lived across the ocean, and Alan had never cared to socialize with opportunists. As a result, the old couple usually led a quiet life, though Eliana had always enjoyed a little noise and company.Agatha smiled. "Then come by often. You're welcome here anytime.""Alan, Eliana, I'd like to toast you both." Julian raised his glass and looked from Alan to Eliana, his tone unusually solemn. "Sydney has had your protection all these years. You didn't just teach he

Hugo's answer came far too quickly, too cleanly.It wasn't just Raymond. Even Sydney, who had been quietly watching the drama unfold, looked slightly caught off guard. After all, the gap between Hugo and Diana wasn't just their age. Diana had also been married to his brother.Sydney glanced at Diana, who seemed entirely indifferent. She kept her head down and fiddled with her phone as though she were dealing with a work message.Unlike Sydney, Raymond made no attempt at subtlety. He raised an eyebrow. "Diana, did you hear that? This guy's got someone he likes."Hugo's back went rigid.Before he could even start to feel nervous, Diana spoke without lifting her head. "I heard. He's in his 20s. Can't he be allowed to like someone?"Raymond said nothing more. He only knew that Hugo had chosen a rough road for himself.The round wrapped up quickly, and soon it was Sydney's turn again.Raymond's question had set a new precedent, and the game finally started to get a little bolder.T

Diana let out a soft laugh as she chatted with Sydney and waited for James to come over.James was leaving the next day for an overseas project inspection, so he needed to go over the group's affairs with Raymond beforehand.Sydney glanced toward the two brothers as well, but a figure beneath the covered walkway caught her eye.Charlotte leaned against one of the pillars, one hand resting lightly over her stomach. Her face looked pale beneath the porch light.Sydney excused herself from Diana and hurried over. "Are you feeling unwell?"Her voice pulled Charlotte back to the present. By the time Charlotte looked up, she had already hidden most of her discomfort behind a smile."I'm fine." Charlotte quickly changed the subject. "I should get going too. You two get some rest."But Sydney had already noticed how white her fingertips had turned. "Is it your stomach?"Charlotte opened her mouth to brush it off, but when she met Sydney's soft, unusually earnest gaze, the words caught

Upstairs, after washing up, Julian pulled Sydney down beside him, though she still showed no sign of sleepiness."Not sleepy yet?""Mm-hm." Sydney lay on her side and looked at him, her eyes still misty from the steam in the bathroom. "I'm happy, and I feel settled. I feel so, so happy."She was so happy that she almost didn't want to fall asleep. She used to feel as though she had nothing at all, but tonight, for the first time, she could see with absolute clarity everything she now had.Julian ruffled her hair, his eyes brimming with tenderness. "I'm happy too."As long as she was by his side, he was happy. Nothing and no one else could ever replace that particular kind of happiness.Sydney suddenly moved closer and burrowed into his arms. "Do you remember what gift I gave you on the first birthday I ever spent with you?"Julian raised an eyebrow slightly.Of course he remembered. By then, she had already come to live with him, but Eloise had taken advantage of his trip abroa