Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

Penelope’s heart raced. All she wanted was to get away. “Mr. Sterling, it’s all fine now. We should just leave, right?”

“Irrelevant people can leave.” Julian leaned lazily against the arm of the sofa, his cigarette glowing between his long fingers.” Ms. Monroe, you cannot.”

The chill in his voice made her shiver uncontrollably. She was already starting to regret it. If she had known Julian would appear tonight, she never would have acted. This man was far too terrifying.

Caleb noticed the target of his hostility. He stepped in front of Penelope and faced Julian. “What do you mean by this?”

“Didn’t you just say you wanted justice for Sydney?” Julian flicked the ash off his cigarette with careless grace, then gave Elliot a slight nod.

Elliot strode out, dragged two hotel waiters into the room, and shoved them down in front of Penelope. “Ms. Monroe, what exactly did Mr. Sterling’s sister ever do to you that you went to such lengths to hurt her?”

The sight of those men’s faces made Penelope’s entire body tremble. ‘How?! The surveillance was destroyed. How did Julian unearth the truth so quickly?’

Due to his appearance, everything had gone off-script.

She forced herself to remain calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Caleb finally understood what they were suggesting. He frowned, and his voice sharpened. “Elliot, words aren’t something you can just throw around.”

“The witnesses are right here, and you rush to defend her without even asking?” Julian’s half-smile was nothing but menacing. “Caleb, what did you promise me before you married Sydney?”

Caleb froze. Back then, Julian had opposed the marriage. But Caleb had needed a wife. Sydney had checked every box, and he could not find a better candidate. Thus, he had given his word that he would treat her as Julian did-as a true younger sister, never allowing her to suffer even the slightest grievance.

“I kept that promise,” Caleb said firmly.

In his mind, he had not let Sydney suffer. Although there had been misunderstandings, he had always apologized, made amends, and waited until Sydney said she was no longer angry before he let himself relax. Even now, though she was no longer as docile as before, he had never once thought of replacing her.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll stand here and watch you smear Penny.”

At those words, Julian’s cold face twisted with something darker. His gaze slid toward Penelope. Just one glance was enough to make her flinch.

Then he gave a short, cutting laugh. “If it’s nothing but lies, why is your dear sister-in-law so afraid?”

Caleb turned to Penelope. After all these years, he thought he understood her well enough. His frown deepened. Without waiting for her to speak, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room.

A few minutes later, he returned alone with a stormy expression. “I’ll give Sydney an explanation for tonight.”

Julian caught the subtext, and raised a brow. “Meaning you’ll pick the softest target to blame?”

Caleb knew he was not in the right, so he softened his tone. “Jules, do me this favor. Don’t blow it up and let outsiders laugh.”

Tonight’s charity auction was packed with the city’s most prominent figures. If Julian turned it into a spectacle and Penelope ended up branded the culprit, everyone would know.

Whether because of tonight’s scandal or Julian’s influence in Jouleston, no one would dare associate with Penelope again. She

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would be finished in this city.

Julian chuckled dangerously. “And when did you ever give me that courtesy?”

He meant Sydney’s marriage, of course.

Caleb pressed his tongue against his cheek, his jaw tight. “We’re good friends. Digging up old grudges is pointless, isn’t it? Besides, at the end of the day, Sydney wasn’t actually harmed. Why be so relentless?”