Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 241

**Chapter 241**

The kidnappers had vanished into the shadows, leaving behind an eerie silence that filled the warehouse. Gordon was still nowhere in sight, and the weight of the situation pressed heavily on Sydney’s chest. She could feel the smoke swirling around her, thick and suffocating, each breath a struggle. Her mind raced as she recalled every corner of the warehouse, every possible escape route, but the front door was sealed tight, a trap that offered no hope of freedom.

“Caleb,” she managed to cough out, her voice barely above a whisper. “Look up.” She pointed weakly towards a high window, its frame silhouetted against the dim light. “We can get out through there. You need to climb up!”

The height of the window loomed over her, and Sydney felt her strength waning. Her arms trembled with exhaustion, and she knew she couldn’t make the ascent herself. But if Caleb could reach that window, he could unlock the gate from the outside and give them a chance to escape.

Caleb’s gaze locked onto hers, a mixture of disbelief and concern etched across his features. Even now, after everything he had put her through, she was still thinking about him, about his safety. “Syd, I… what I did before—”

“Stop!” she interrupted, urgency lacing her voice. “We don’t have time for this. Please, just climb out now!” The seconds felt like hours, and the threat of the bombs detonating loomed over them like a dark cloud.

“Okay, okay.” Caleb snapped back to the present, shaking off his hesitation. He quickly scanned the area and spotted a chair. He placed it beneath the window, his heart racing as adrenaline surged through him. With a powerful push, he vaulted through the opening, his athleticism making it look effortless.

To their surprise, the explosives remained dormant, holding their deadly intent for just a few moments longer.

As soon as Caleb’s feet hit the ground, the iron gate swung open with a loud creak, and a figure rushed in, sweeping Sydney into his arms with a swift, practiced motion.

Dazed and nearly unconscious from the smoke, Sydney felt the rush of fresh air fill her lungs, grounding her as she was lifted off the ground.

“Syd!” Caleb’s voice was filled with wariness as he eyed the newcomer, his instincts on high alert. “Who are you?”

“Withdraw!” the man barked, his voice commanding and firm.

Relief flooded through Caleb as he saw that Sydney was safe, but his protective instincts flared. The man ignored him entirely, signaling to his team clad in black, who moved with a precision that spoke of training. They vanished as quickly as they had appeared, leaving Caleb with a mix of confusion and frustration.

On the drive to the hospital, a sense of unease settled over Caleb. He could feel eyes on them, an unsettling presence lurking in the shadows.

Before leaving the country, Julian had entrusted Nathan Tosin with overseeing Sydney’s security, never anticipating that danger would strike on the very first day.

“She shouldn’t be in critical condition,” Nathan’s voice came through the line, steady but strained. “She was abducted from the company’s underground garage. We discovered the situation and pursued, but we didn’t know what was happening inside, and we couldn’t act rashly. I managed to climb the outer wall to the second floor and disarm the bombs while the kidnappers were distracted. Once they began to leave, we rushed in and rescued Ms. Wilson. We apprehended the men who took her.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed, a storm brewing within him. “Bombs and arson? Were they trying to kill her?”

“Looks that way,” Nathan replied grimly.

“And where is she now? Put her on the phone,” Julian demanded, his heart racing.

“She’s… she’s in Caleb’s car,” Nathan said, the words hanging heavily in the air.

A chill crept down Julian’s spine, despite the distance of over 6,000 miles separating them. He clicked off the phone, his jaw clenched tightly. “Elliot,” he said in a low voice, his tone brokering no argument, “book the earliest flight home.”