Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 753

Sydney murmured in agreement and let the matter drop.

The restaurant's private room had been reserved in advance. Their seats by the window overlooked the courtyard below.

They had barely settled in when Diana's phone buzzed again. She had no intention of checking it, but the message that flashed across the screen gave her pause.

Hugo: [Diana, I'm coming back to Jouleston tomorrow.]

He had been traveling to Jouleston remarkably often lately.

Diana's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She set the phone aside and took a quiet sip of tea.

Sydney was busy talking with Julian about the research institute and noticed nothing unusual.

Lunch passed pleasantly. Sydney ate with a healthy appetite, and watching her somehow improved Diana's own.

After the meal, Julian went to pay the bill, and the three of them headed together toward the parking garage.

They didn't expect to run into another group as they rounded the corner of the corridor.

The man at the front was impeccably dressed in a suit and tie. He stood half turned, speaking with a business associate, when his gaze drifted over. His steps faltered.

"Diana."

Diana looked up. Leon stood before her, surprise flickering across his face before he forced a warm smile.

The business associate beside him was a middle-aged man. His gaze moved between them as he smiled politely. "Mr. Kingston, this must be... your wife?"

Everyone knew Leon's wife was the renowned eldest daughter of the Hutton family. However, rumors of their divorce had been circulating for some time. Few people were still certain how to interpret the relationship between them.

Leon smiled and took half a step toward Diana.

"Yes. My wife, Diana Hutton." His tone was easy, carrying the familiar intimacy of a man who assumed it was his right.

The business associate immediately nodded with a broad smile. "So this is Ms. Hutton. I've heard so much about you. Mr. Kingston, you're a lucky man. Your wife is so young and lovely."

Leon's throat tightened. He looked as though he wanted to say more, but Diana had already turned to Sydney.

"Let's go. It's cold outside."

Sydney nodded and slipped her arm through Diana's as they walked away.

Julian fell half a step behind. As he passed Leon, he didn't slow. He left him with a single, matter-of-fact remark. "Mr. Kingston, you'd be better off spending your time figuring out how to hold on to your position as heir."

Leon stiffened. His face darkened.

Back in the car, Julian started the engine without any particular haste.

From the passenger seat, Sydney turned to look at Diana. She was resting quietly in the back seat, her expression unchanged.

"Diana, are you all right?" Sydney asked softly.

"What would be wrong?" Diana replied with a faint smile. "Getting it out in the open is actually a relief."