Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 176

The instant Penelope spoke, Sydney’s spine went rigid. If she and Julian had a proper, open, clean relationship, she could have admitted it without fear. Even if someone guessed, there would be no shame.

However, they did not. They were lovers, in the rawest, filthiest sense. If anyone discovered it, the scorn would fall solely on her. Julian would escape unscathed, and the contempt would be hers alone.

They would say she had clung to him ten years ago under the excuse of being his “little sister,” and now, desperate to attach herself to the Sterling family, she had degraded herself into his mistress.

“Penelope!” Caleb’s face turned cold, and he said sharply, “What the hell are you thinking? Syd and Jules are brother and sister.”

Back then, Sydney had been willing to burn every bridge with Julian just to marry Caleb. To him, her loyalties had always been crystal clear. Naturally, he had never suspected anything between her and Julian.

Bruce and the others frowned. “Cal, maybe you should send her home? She’s killing the mood.”

Everyone knew what Sydney was to Julian. As for Penelope, what was she? An outsider, a mistress, daring to wag her tongue here?

Caleb glanced at the time, noted it was still early, and gave a terse nod toward Penelope. “Let’s go.”

Sydney blinked, startled. He was not defending Penelope the way he used to.

Without waiting for her to protest, Caleb gripped her arm and marched her toward the elevator.

Humiliation flared in Penelope. “What did I say that was wrong? Look at the lipstick Sydney’s wearing. It’s the exact same shade Julian had on his lips!”

It was not just the lipstick. Everything about Julian and Sydney was off. Brother and sister? Only thick–headed men could believe it.

What kind of “sister” came out of her “brother’s” apartment with ears burning red?

“Enough!” Caleb’s patience snapped. He shoved her hard against the side of the car, his voice a furious grind of teeth. “You insisted on tagging along, so I let you. Now get lost.”

“Cal, do you really find me so unbearable now?”

Just yesterday, he had flung divorce papers in her face and told her he and Sydney were done. But she did not believe him. She had followed today just to see for herself.

Caleb did not just feel disgust but also loathing. He yanked open the car door and shoved her inside, his tone steely. “Jack, drive her home. Now.”

Penelope fumbled for the handle. The door was locked tight. In a panic, she rolled down the window and seized his sleeve. “Then when will you take me to get our marriage certificate?”

Caleb shook her hand off like filth, dusting his sleeve clean. “I’ve already sent someone to handle it. Tomorrow, the certificate will be delivered.”

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“Caleb…” Her eyes narrowed, and her voice carried her suspicion. “You’re lying to me, aren’t you? The divorce certificate was fake, wasn’t it?”

He could throw divorce papers at her, fine. But if he were truly marrying her, why would he not take her to the courthouse himself? Why send someone else? Unless it had all been a lie.

She was not like Sydney. She was not so easy to fool.

A chill like a blade slid into Caleb’s gaze. His rage flared. He wrenched the car door open again, grabbed her by the throat, and squeezed until her breath broke into gasps.

“Penelope, don’t you dare push me. You should thank God I even bother lying to you. But if you force me…” he snarled sharply.

The last of his patience burned away. His eyes narrowed to a deadly sliver. Ignoring her frantic struggles, he lifted his gaze to the rearview mirror. “Jack. Lock her in the suburban villa. Cut off water and food.”

Penelope’s eyes bulged wide. Terror shot down her spine. “What are you doing…”

“You’re smart. Figure it out.” He released her and patted her cheek in a parody of gentleness. His voice was low, deadly, like a whisper from hell. “I don’t have the energy to coddle you anymore. Sit in that basement and think. Decide if you want to tell me where Precious is. No food, no water. Human body lasts what? Seven days?”

His tone softened almost to a caress. “Seven days. If you don’t figure it out, then die.”

The last word was barely breathed, but it coated her skin in ice.

For the first time, real fear clawed at Penelope. Her whole body trembled. She realized, with dawning horror, that this man might be colder, crueler, and more terrifying than the infamous Julian.

“You’ll kill me?” she choked. “And if I die, aren’t you afraid you’ll never find her?”

His gaze turned hard and merciless. “Penelope, that’s the second time you’ve tried to threaten me.

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