Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 564

Chapter 554

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Chapter 564

‘Would I?’ Sydney had never considered that question.

Years of hardship had shaped her into a quiet pessimist. The fact that her biological parents were not drug traffickers already felt like a small miracle. She never let herself imagine anything better. She had even braced herself for the chance that her family might reject her.

Sydney lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. She shook her head. “I don’t think I would be sad. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you”

Without those years, she never would have lived under the same roof with Julian for nine long years. Her memories of her family had faded, but Julian had remained solid and real. He taught her how to protect herself and how to grow stronger.

Julian froze, the pressure under his ribs tightening. He pinched her cheek. “That isn’t certain.”

If the universe’s grand plan had changed, they would have met in another place with different identities. She would not have been the small, pitiful girl kneeling in the mourning hall peeling candy for him. She would have stood as the bright, spoiled youngest daughter of the Hutton family, Vivian Hutton, at Raymond’s side.

His words left Sydney puzzled. “Why do you say that?”

If her adoptive parents had never taken her in, she never would have ended up in the Sterling household. She never would have met him.

Julian hesitated.

At that moment, Elliot stepped out of the car and approached them. He leaned close and spoke quietly. “Mr. Sterling, after Ms. Wilson left Seraph Villa last night, Mr. James’ people flew to Storia. They went to a biological research institute. I asked around. Something arrived there, but they won’t reveal what it was.

“The Huttons already tried to seal the information. I only found out because the team traveled from Jouleston. And the institute director has been trying to gain favor with Ms. Wilson, so he let a few details slip.”

Julian’s brows tightened and then eased.

“I understand.” His voice dropped. “You’re sure no one else has access?”

“No one.” Elliot gave a firm answer and stepped back.

Sydney assumed they were discussing business, so she looked away the moment Elliot leaned in. After he left, she turned back. The interruption had pushed her earlier question aside.

“Is something happening at the company?” she asked.

Elliot rarely avoided her. She did not overthink it. Corporate secrecy seemed normal.

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Chapter 564

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Julian steadied himself and guided her inside. “Not the company. Something else. I need time to decide how to tell you.”

He felt almost certain she was Vivian Hutton, but the Huttons had already arranged a DNA test. He wondered if he should wait for the results. That seemed safer. He did not want her to face disappointment. He could feel how much she longed for family.

Sydney blinked at him. “What could be hard for you to say?”

Then a thought struck her. She remembered his earlier questions about her background, and her eyes widened slightly. “Did you find something about my parentage?”

She was sharp. He had always known that.

“Come upstairs. I’ll tell you.”

Sydney did not rush him. She let him hold her hand as they walked.

Sunlight streamed through the windows and spread across the floor. Sydney stepped on his shadow each time she moved and felt amused.

Her phone rang. She checked the screen and smiled. “Marc, I have the day off. Don’t try to drag me to the clinic.”

“No.” Marcus’ voice sounded strained and urgent “Sydney, Eliana seems poisoned. Her pulse is all over the place. Alan isn’t home, and I can’t confirm anything. I’m taking her to the hospital. The one under Sterling Corp. Come right away.”

Sydney’s mind emptied, and panic surged. She spun toward the stairs, and her foot slipped.

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