Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 170

The law firm had granted Tiffany a week of paid sick leave. For once, she wasn’t working overtime.

Curled on the sofa, she focused on her game when the sound of the door closing pulled her gaze up. “What’s wrong?”

Sydney shook her head. “Nothing.”

Tiffany’s eyes flicked to the trash bags in Sydney’s hands. Without looking away from the screen, And the garbage? Aren’t you taking it out?”

“I suddenly feel too tired. I don’t feel like going downstairs.”

she asked, ”

Sydney set the bags by the shoe cabinet, shrugged off her down coat, and flopped onto the couch. She didn’t want to run into Charlotte again, especially not like that.

Julian might have said there was nothing special between him and Charlotte, but the latter seemed to be special in every situation she entered.

Sydney hugged her tablet, scrolling through variety shows to chase away the sour feeling in her chest. Casually, she asked, “What are you doing for New Year’s?”

“I’ll go home for a couple of days tomorrow.” Tiffany’s expression darkened. She shut down her game and flopped onto Sydney’s arm. “If only your birthday were during New Year’s. Then I’d have the perfect excuse not to go back.”

Her birthday was a month away, on February 9.

Sydney patted her head. “It’s fine. If it’s bad back home, just come back quickly. Keep me company instead.”

Across the hall, in 2202, Julian heard movement from his study. He stepped into the living room, and his darkened at the sight of an unexpected figure in the dining area.

“You’ve completely lost your sense of boundaries, haven’t you?” he jibed.

Charlotte shot him a playful look. “Blame yourself for setting such an easy password.”

gaze

His codes always included 0209. She had never understood what it meant–not his birthday, not any date she recognized.

Julian’s expression remained unreadable as he strode to the entryway, opened the door, and reset his lock.

Charlotte blinked. “You’re really going to guard against me now?”

He didn’t answer. “Talk business.”

“I…” She forced down her temper and set a food bag on the table. “From your favorite place. I drove all the way to the south side to get it.”

She opened the containers one by one as she spoke.

Julian had been about to dismiss her, but when his eyes landed on the pork ribs and the crisp roast pork, his

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brows lifted slightly. “Fine. It’s late. Time for you to go.”

An eviction in record time.

Her smile faltered. “I came all this way.”

His tone was ice. “That’s the only reason I’m letting you walk out on your own.‘

“Julian.” Her brow furrowed, baffled. “Our families arranged a marriage, remember? Do you have to treat me this coldly?”

Years ago, Eloise had sealed their engagement. Charlotte had been overjoyed, but Julian had not cared. The most he had ever conceded was allowing her to join Sterling Corp. Even the secretary’s desk had been hers only because she had cried to Eloise.

At first, Julian had resisted. She didn’t know whatever bargain he might have struck with Eloise, but he had always been disciplined, clean, and free of scandal.

The only woman around him had been Charlotte. Yet after three years at his side, he remained so cold that she sometimes wondered whether he had no interest in women at all–or perhaps no interest in anyone.

Julian pulled out his phone, dialed someone, and said flatly, “You sure you want to keep wasting words?”

As she had headed upstairs, she had spotted a bodyguard waiting below. If Julian made that call, her exit would be humiliating.

She drew a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll leave.”