Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 594

Chapter 594

Hampton Corp. was under Caleb’s control. The moment he stepped outside its doors, he would have to act in accordance with the Sterlings’ wishes.

Caleb was a smart man. He understood immediately that this was Julian’s message, delivered through the mouth of a subordinate.

After only a few seconds of hesitation, he walked to the safe, took out the antidote, and tossed it toward Julian.

“Does Syd know that the righteous, upright ‘good brother’ she holds in such high regard doesn’t hesitate to strike at the old, the weak, or the sick?” His voice carried a sharp edge of mockery.

Julian caught the vial with one hand, his expression utterly indifferent. “You’re not any better.”

He said nothing more. He turned and led his people out. The priority now was to get the antidote back to the hospital. Only then could Sydney truly breathe again.

Caleb watched Julian’s retreating figure, a flicker of killing intent flashing through his eyes. His fingers closed slowly around the vial until his knuckles turned white.

After a brief pause, his assistant asked, “Mr. Hampton, do we still proceed with the port arrangements?”

“Proceed for what?” Caleb smiled self-mockingly. “So I can run as far away as possible and avoid seeing what I can’t stand?”

With the antidote gone, how could she possibly leave with him? He could not bring himself to truly hurt her, especially now that she was pregnant. Yet he also could not accept handing the rest of her life to someone as ruthless as Julian.

All he could do was wait for another opportunity.

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Caleb did not linger. He kept the antidote and drove straight back to the Hampton estate.

Adeline had just finished checking the engagement gifts. When she saw him return, her face lit up. “You’ve thought it through? You’re willing to go with me to propose to the Hutton family?”

Caleb ignored her question and asked instead, his tone grave, “Where is Grandma?”

“Mother?” Adeline froze. “She should be in the backyard. The doctor said she needs more sunlight.”

“Sunlight?” Caleb echoed.

Without waiting for her reply, he strode toward the backyard.

The estate looked nothing like the chaos he had imagined after his grandmother’s supposed poisoning. It was almost unnervingly calm.

The housekeeper was carrying a plate of snacks toward the backyard. When he saw Caleb, a flash of guilt crossed his face. “Mr. Hampton, you’re back.”

Caleb’s unease deepened. “Where’s Grandma?”

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Chapter 594

“She’s waiting for you in the backyard.” The housekeeper handed him the snacks as well. “Please take these along. They’re low sugar. Your grandmother can eat them.”

A chilling realization crept over Caleb. He had made a mistake, one so grave it would haunt him for the rest of his

life.

With every step toward the backyard, his legs grew unbearably heavy.

The weather was beautiful. Dorothy sat in a rattan chair with her eyes closed, basking in the sunlight. Her face looked peaceful and serene.

No matter how closely he studied her, she did not resemble someone who had been poisoned.

Perhaps she heard his footsteps, or perhaps she sensed his gaze. She opened her eyes and looked at her only grandson.

“You’re back?” Her voice was calm and ordinary.

At that moment, Caleb was certain. He had been deceived. His own grandmother had joined hands with outsiders to trick him.

And the truly despicable one had been him alone. Only him, clutching the medicine that could save Eliana’s life and refusing to let go.

Caleb almost laughed. He raised the vial in his hand and gave it a light shake.

“What’s in here? Chocolate beans?”

Dorothy had watched him grow up. She understood the meaning behind his words at once.

“Are you blaming me?”

Was there something to blame? Of course there was.

From childhood to adulthood, he had studied diligently, behaved impeccably, and practiced restraint. After taking over Hampton Corp., he had walked on thin ice, never daring to make a single misstep.

Just this once, he wanted to think of himself.

He had arranged everything with care. It would not affect Hampton Corp. It would not implicate the family. Why, then, was it still not allowed?

“Did you listen to a single word of what I warned you before? If you had really taken this mess to Syd, forget about you. Our entire family would never have the nerve to face her again.” Dorothy sighed. There was no disappointment in it, only pity,

“Cal,” she called softly, motioning him closer, “Relationships can’t be forced. Syd spent three years with you. That was the full measure of your family life. As long as you stop walking down this wrong path, when you meet again in the future, she may still remember you kindly.”

She then asked, “Do you really need to push things until she hates you with every fiber of her being before you feel satisfied?”

Caleb lowered his gaze. “She can hate me if she wants.”

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What he feared was that she might no longer feel anything for him at all.

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