Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 279

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You**
**by Aurelia**
**Novel 279**

**Chapter 279**

As Caleb prepared to step out of the elevator, he cast a fleeting glance at Julian, his voice laced with an unmistakable hint of desperation. “For what I just said, I’ll need to ask you to put in a little more effort.”

Julian inclined his head just enough to acknowledge the request. With that, Caleb turned on his heel and strode away, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

The elevator doors glided shut with a soft whoosh, sealing off the moment.

Sydney, standing nearby, furrowed her brow in confusion. “What did he mean by extra effort?” she asked, her instincts prickling with the feeling that it had something to do with her.

Julian’s cool, assessing gaze flickered over her, his expression unreadable. “He mentioned that he would have divorced you eight hundred times by now if he hadn’t realized he was mistaken about the person he was dealing with.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but Sydney was quick to dismiss the notion. She didn’t believe a single word of it; that was just typical Julian, twisting the truth with his dry wit. Yet, if Caleb genuinely felt that way, perhaps it would serve her interests just fine.

When a heavy silence settled between them, Julian’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Feeling heartbroken?”

“What on earth would I be heartbroken about?” Sydney shot back, her voice firm and defiant. “At least I’ve been married once. What about you? All you’ve got is a picture of your crush tucked away in your wallet.”

A mocking smile danced on her lips. “I never thought you’d choose the path of repressed, restrained love—”

But before she could finish her thought, Julian’s hand shot up to pinch her cheeks, contorting her face in a way that made her gasp. His other hand swiftly covered the camera lens of her phone. Leaning in, he captured her lips in a kiss that was both unexpected and electrifying, swallowing every protest that threatened to escape her mouth.

Sydney felt her ears burn with embarrassment. She shot Julian a flustered look, then ducked her head, trying to steady her breath. “I’m going back,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Julian watched her stumble away in such a hurry that she nearly tripped over her own feet. Despite himself, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He turned and made his way into his apartment, only to find uninvited company waiting for him.

Raymond adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and surveyed Julian with a slow, teasing smirk. “Mr. Sterling, what a picture of innocence you are! One kiss and your ears are practically glowing.”

“Get lost,” Julian replied, laughter lacing his words as he kicked off his shoes and slipped into his comfortable house slippers. Ignoring Raymond’s relentless teasing, he strode into the walk-in closet to change, hoping to shake off the lingering effects of the kiss and the unexpected encounter with Sydney.

But Raymond, ever shameless, followed him and leaned casually against the doorframe, his expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. “What brings you to my place? Did you get shut out across the hall?”