Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 597

At first listen, Julian's words sounded calm. Yet only Elliot, who had followed him for so many years, could hear how wrong they felt.

When had Julian ever spoken with such uncertainty?

In Elliot's eyes, Julian had always been decisive and razor sharp, a man who never hesitated. A heavy weight settled in Elliot's chest, and for a moment, he could not find the words to speak.

He wanted to say that Sydney had been clever since childhood, that she had survived safely even under Eloise's watch. This time would be no different. She would escape again.

But he did not even know where she was. Her phone remained powered off. Something had already gone terribly wrong.

In the driver's seat, Peter gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. His foot pressed the accelerator nearly to the floor as the car tore through traffic.

Every second they saved increased the chance of Sydney returning safely.

…

When they reached the Hampton estate, a maid opened the gate. The moment she saw Julian's terrifyingly cold expression, she flinched. "Mr. Sterling, are you here to—"

Julian's dark eyes swept across the courtyard. "Is Caleb here?"

"He is."

Julian's gaze sharpened. "When did he come back?"

The maid paused to think.

"At least half an hour ago, I think." She stepped aside. "Please come in. If you want to see Mr. Hampton, I need to inform his grandmother first."

As she spoke, she had already entered the reception hall and hurried toward the stairs.

Julian did not stop her. Before she could go far, Dorothy appeared at the top of the staircase and began to descend.

"The Cullinan he bought last month," the housekeeper replied honestly. "The Maybach he usually drives went to the company at noon and was sent for maintenance afterward."

That meant the car that picked up Sydney could indeed have been arranged by Caleb.

Unease crept into Dorothy's chest. She studied Julian's expression, then spoke with quiet urgency. "I can guarantee that Sydney is not here. Cal returned alone to deliver the antidote.

"You've known Cal for many years. You should understand that his schemes are not so deep. He could not act flawlessly on one side while secretly arranging for someone to take her."

Even as she spoke, a chill spread through her body. She still could not accept that Caleb would go that far.

The same doubt troubled Julian. After all, they had been friends for many years.

But when Sydney was involved, trust came hard.

His jaw tightened. "Then please ask Caleb to come here."