Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Unfortunately, it was useless. This was a natural lake, with only a small section stretching into the Sterling family’s backyard.

Jouleston’s winters were bitter, but not enough to freeze the entire lake solid. Even if Sydney knelt on the thickest patch, her body heat would slowly melt the ice beneath her. Soon, it would give way, plunging her into the bone-chilling water. If Eloise wanted her dead here, no one would ever know.

Within minutes, Sydney was shivering violently.

When she first knelt, Jason’s voice echoed from the shore. “Madam Sterling ordered that once you kneel, you are not to move again.”

Her heart sank.

Then he added, “Later, someone will take you to the family hall to face punishment.”

Sydney let out the faintest sigh of relief. ‘So, she does not plan to kill me tonight.’

Still, kneeling out here in the dead of winter, waiting for the ice to give way only to be whipped in the family hall afterward, was no different from shaving half her life away.

She knew the truth: it didn’t matter whether Victor’s injury involved her. All Eloise needed was someone to bear her wrath.

Her teeth chattered. Beneath her knees, the ice had already begun to soften and thin.

Eloise’s methods of torment had grown more vicious. Kneeling on the familiar gravel path had been sharp but simple. Here, Sydney lived in constant dread, never knowing when the ice would crack and send her plunging down. Uncertainty was the cruellest form of fear.

Jason returned to the hall under the pale moonlight and approached Eloise. “Madam, she’s kneeling now.”

“She didn’t speak?” Eloise held her teacup, skimming the floating leaves.

Jason answered truthfully, “No. Ms. Wilson has always been obedient.”

“Hmph.” Eloise sneered and slammed the untouched cup down. Her clouded eyes glinted with malice. “Obedient? I say she’s fooled you all, one by one!”

Jason sighed softly and tried to placate her. “Please calm yourself. There’s no need to harm your health over her.”

“How could I not be furious?” Eloise snapped, teeth grinding. “Didn’t she provoke Victor? The doctor just came down and said he’s ruined. Beyond saving!”

Jason replied, “I was outside the door. I didn’t hear, but Mr. Victor did lose his temper badly.”

Eloise’s eyes narrowed, her tone turning sinister. “When she’s taken to the family hall later, you will administer the punishment. Just don’t let her die under this roof.”

Jason stiffened but did not dare argue. “Yes.”

The word barely left his mouth when the estate’s landline shrilled. He hurried to answer, and even before the caller finished, his expression turned grim. “Understood. No casualties, right? I’ll inform Madam Sterling immediately.”

“What is it now?” Eloise scowled. “Why are you flustered like that?”

Jason swallowed and delivered the news. “Madam, the real estate project you put under Mr. Victor’s name the one set for handover next week-one of the buildings exploded ten minutes ago.”

He added quickly, “Thankfully, it was late at night. There were no casualties.”

“What did you say?” Eloise shot to her feet, disbelief twisting her face.

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Who dared sabotage a Sterling project so brazenly? That land had cost her a fortune three years ago. It was marketed as a luxury development, and the units had sold out instantly. Now a building was blown apart, and with no houses to deliver, the loss would be colossal.

Her head rang, her thoughts scattered in shock.

Jason hesitated, then said quietly, “This must be Mr. Julian’s doing.

“Preposterous!” Eloise’s voice cracked with rage. Only Julian, that reckless bastard, would act with such blatant disregard for

rules.

Her temples throbbed, her blood roaring in her ears, as she slammed the table repeatedly. “Go! Call him! Ask what he thinks he’s doing!”