Semua Bab Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable: Bab 81 - Bab 90

This felt utterly foreign to Caleb, as if control had slipped from his grasp. He stared unblinking at Sydney and thought, for a fleeting moment, that if she admitted it, he might as well crush her.Instead, she lowered her gaze and replied quietly, "Weren't you using me too?"It was mutual. Each had gained from the other.He seized her jaw, forcing her eyes upward. "I'll ask you one more time. Think carefully before you answer. You spent this marriage using me, didn't you?"His grip twisted her jaw toward dislocation. Her eyes flushed red, and reason bled away. Still, she answered without wavering, "Yes. It's true. You, Caleb—you betrayed this marriage! What made you think you had the right to question me so freely?"That question had burned in her chest from the start. At first, she had considered entrusting her future to him. She had wanted his affection, to be the obedient wife, the proud daughter-in-law of the Hampton family. She had not abandoned those hopes lightly.Now his

Caleb hadn't expected to hear that sentence."Mr. Hampton, you're here." The female officer regarded him calmly. "This could go either way—a serious case or just a family matter. If you can settle it privately, that's best."Caleb glanced at Sydney. Her expression was distant, unreadable. Tension rose in his chest, but he kept it contained."Then, we'll let the police handle it," he said.Sydney's long lashes fluttered, though her face stayed composed. She meant what she'd said earlier. She didn't care about him—not even a little.Caleb frowned. He couldn't understand why she wouldn't at least pretend to be vulnerable. If she had just admitted fault and apologized, he might have let it go for old times' sake.But she didn't even try.His voice turned cold. "I may be family, but a moment of weakness doesn't excuse crossing the line. Actions have consequences."He turned and walked out.The officers resumed their procedure, asking Sydney a few more questions. Once they confirmed

Plenty of "pure schoolgirl" types had shown up to the gathering tonight, but next to Sydney, they all faded into the background.She wore a simple dark-green dress. Nothing flashy, not among the elite daughters in attendance. Still, her figure and that face drew attention without effort.Victor licked his lips. "With a waist and hips like that, I bet it'd feel incredible to touch.""Go ahead, try it." Sydney leaned casually against the wall with a faint smile. "Then guess which hand Julian will cut off when he finds out. Left or right?"Julian's name alone made Victor flinch. Fear of him had been embedded since childhood.He tried to recover some swagger. "Do you take me for an idiot? After that family dinner, it's obvious you and Julian haven't been in touch privately."He had no proof, but it made sense. Even without being close to the Sterlings, anyone in the extended family picked up on things.Sydney's fingers curled into her palm, but her expression stayed mild. "If I hadn

Sydney could not help but wonder about Adeline's sudden reluctance.Adeline sighed softly and smiled. "What if I give you the divorce papers today, and you announce the divorce publicly? Then what will I do?"Sydney replied calmly, "We signed a contract. That should be enough."Adeline's tone turned cold. "A contract only binds honorable people."She was implying Sydney could not be trusted.Sydney did not lose her temper. She simply asked, "Then when will you give them to me?""Only when Caleb is ready to remarry—""Which won't happen," Sydney interrupted, locking eyes with her ex-mother-in-law. "I agreed to keep it secret until you found someone suitable. But whether Caleb is willing or not, it is not something I can rely on."She refused to wait indefinitely.Adeline bristled at how casually Sydney spoke of her son, as if he were disposable. After a pause, she said sharply, "One month. After the festival. Fair enough?"Caleb likely cared little for Sydney anyway. Adeline c

Just as Sydney began to feel awkward, Charlotte appeared in front of her and took her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Ms. Wilson, you remember me, right?"Sydney nodded. "Yes."She remembered Charlotte as Julian's secretary. Some might be surprised that someone like Julian—cold, distant, and meticulous about boundaries—would ever blur the lines between work and personal life. There was no way he would date a subordinate.However, Sydney knew better. Julian did whatever he wanted. When he chose to spoil someone, he would keep them close and even work for them if necessary. He had a way of indulging someone so completely that the rest of the world seemed to fall away.And then he would let them go. Brutally.Charlotte gave a warm smile. "I'd heard Mr. Sterling had a sister. I just didn't expect it was you."Sydney didn't know how to respond. In the end, she mumbled, "Yeah. I didn't expect it either."Her voice came out too soft, so Charlotte tilted her hea