Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 542

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 542**

**Chapter 542**

Penelope was no fool. The sting of Tiffany’s insult had sliced through the air, sharp and clear, but rather than allow anger to consume her, she maintained her composure. Instead, her eyes drifted to the telltale curve of Sydney’s stomach, a smirk creeping onto her lips.

“Has anyone stepped up to claim responsibility for you and that bastard growing inside you?” she taunted, her voice dripping with disdain.

Earlier, Penelope had entertained the notion that Sydney’s child might belong to either Julian or Caleb, but now, she felt a certainty wash over her. This child was undoubtedly a bastard. If it were Caleb’s, he would have whisked Sydney away long ago, his obsession making that painfully clear. And if it were Julian’s, he certainly wouldn’t be gallivanting abroad, escorting another woman to a prenatal appointment at this very moment.

Penelope couldn’t help but scoff at the irony. Sydney, who always carried herself with an air of purity and dignity, was now entangled in a web of her own making, unable to even name the father of her unborn child.

Tiffany’s temper flared instantly, her fists clenched at her sides as she prepared to retort, but Sydney gently placed a hand on her arm, stopping her. Penelope had the Huttons’ protection now, a powerful shield that could make Tiffany’s life a living hell if she let her emotions get the better of her. Sydney didn’t fear the fallout for herself, but she refused to let her friend suffer because of her own troubles.

With a calm demeanor, Sydney turned to face Penelope, a small, cool laugh escaping her lips. “You should really ponder that question yourself. You keep insisting it’s Caleb’s child, yet has he ever acknowledged it? Penelope, it seems you’re the one in desperate need of someone to take responsibility.”

“You!” Penelope trembled with rage, each word forced through clenched teeth. “Stop your empty threats, Sydney. I am still a Hutton heiress. If I want someone to take responsibility for me, it will be a far simpler task than it will ever be for you.”

No sooner had her words hung in the air than a notorious playboy strolled toward them, his presence electric and unwelcome.

“Penny?” His face lit up, a mix of shock and delight washing over him.

Tiffany instinctively pulled Sydney back, her instincts screaming for them to put distance between themselves and this man. He was worse than Victor, reveling in a lifestyle so debauched that it made her skin crawl. He had a penchant for group escapades, had dabbled in both genders, and had once played a game that ended in tragedy. The Wolfen family always had to clean up after him.

Sydney took a moment longer to process the situation. As clarity returned, Tiffany leaned in and whispered urgently, “That’s Eric Wolfen.”

Suddenly, it clicked for Sydney. This was the very man Eloise had once insisted she meet on a blind date, the fourth heir of the infamous Wolfen family.

Penelope’s expression contorted in disgust. The last thing she wanted was for Sydney to be seen in the vicinity of someone like him. With a flick of her wrist, she turned and stormed into the boutique, dragging Megan along with her.

Eric had been yearning to see Penelope ever since the Hutton family had recognized her. He had tried to breach their gates countless times, but she had always managed to evade him. Now, encountering her here felt like a serendipitous opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance he could not let slip away.

“Penny!” His gaze swept down, catching sight of the subtle curve of her abdomen. Instantly, his demeanor brightened, and he grasped her arm with an eagerness that made her skin crawl. “You’re pregnant? This child must be mine…”

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