Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 177

Caleb pinched Penelope’s chin with a faint smile. “Tell me, how should I make your death more painful? Should I throw a few big wolfhounds into the basement with you?”

“No!” Penelope broke instantly, screaming. “I’ll tell you! If I tell you, will you let me go?”

His tone softened. “Of course.‘

“Really?”

“Really.”

His serious expression left no room for doubt. Her whole body shook as she stammered, “T–The people who adopted her… they came from Jouleston.”

Caleb’s brows furrowed. “Jouleston? Are you sure?”

“Sure!” Penelope bobbed her head frantically, desperate to clutch even the thinnest thread of life.

Only now did she realize that trusting this man and bargaining with him was like begging meat from a tiger’s jaws. The darkness in his bones went far beyond what anyone could imagine.

“I see.” Caleb straightened, slammed the car door, and rapped on the driver’s window. “Tell Gordon to get a

wolfhound. The fiercest one he can find.”

He rose slowly and buttoned his suit jacket with cool precision. His violent aura dissipated, replaced by the polished, noble mask he wore so effortlessly. He strode upstairs as if he could not hear the desperate shrieks from the car behind him.

Upstairs, the mood had changed completely.

Caleb stepped into the entryway and heard peals of laughter echoing from the living room.

Changing his shoes, he smiled lightly. “What are you all talking about?”

“Talking about how Syd finally made up with Jules,” Bruce replied without looking back, always ready to speak for her. “You sent Penelope away? Honestly, I don’t even know why you brought her here today.”

Caleb chuckled. “Special circumstances. Won’t happen again.”

“Won’t happen again?” Bruce sounded doubtful.

He glanced at Sydney, who sat quietly like a well–behaved doll, then swallowed the rest of his words.

Everyone felt it. Caleb spoke with an unusual mildness.

“I’ll make it clear now. From now on, she and I are done. That’s it,” Caleb said evenly

Everyone except Julian froze. No one had forgotten that Penelope was his secret crush. He had brought her along, and now he was cutting ties? Although Caleb addressed the group, the words were clearly meant for Sydney,

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She didn’t care. She kept her gaze lowered, quietly sipping her juice, though she could feel a sharp stare boring into her. She didn’t need to look to know it was Julian.

By evening, the private dinner Julian had ordered arrived on time. As everyone sat down, the seat beside Caleb was left empty for Sydney.

Bruce grinned. “Syd, sit here.”

“Alright.” Sydney did not think being divorced meant she had to avoid him. She sat openly.

The moment she did, a sharp pressure landed on the top of her foot.

She flinched and tried to pull back, but the weight pressed harder. Glancing down, she immediately recognized whose foot it was.

Above the table, laughter and toasts flowed freely. Beneath it, his shoe pressed brazenly against her bare skin. It felt illicit, like an affair carried on in the dark.

Julian’s face was cold as stone, his gaze sliding over her before flicking to the small distance between her and Caleb.

He looked utterly righteous, as if nothing were out of place and pinning her foot beneath his was perfectly natural. He had never been a gentleman.

This was not merely forbidding Caleb from touching even a finger of hers. It was forbidding him to sit close at all.

Resigned, Sydney shifted her chair farther away. Only when there was enough space between her and Caleb for another person to sit did Julian finally release her foot.

It was childish.

Mid–conversation, Caleb noticed her retreating inch by inch. He turned his head and asked gently, “Still angry about the other day?”

He meant the “fake divorce.”

Sydney shook her head calmly. “No.”

The marriage was over. Why would she be angry about his suggestion of a fake divorce?

“Really?” Caleb leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I won’t be seeing Penelope anymore. We don’t need to keep up the pretense,”

Thinking of her living across from Julian, he gave a soft laugh. “I didn’t expect your brother to move in right across from you. Actually, it kind of works out. Once we finish here, I’ll help you pack and take you home.”

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“I’m asking. What’s your relationship with Marcus?”

“I have no relationship with him at all!” Her temper snapped, every word sharp and deliberate. “Caleb, stop blaming others to cover your own guilt!”

Caleb rarely saw her this agitated. To him, it only proved her guilt and reinforced his suspicions. “Fine. If that’s true, then come home with me.”

He jabbed the elevator button, holding her firmly as he tried to drag her along.

“Let me go!” Sydney struggled, panic rising.

He did not release her.

“Let go,” a sharp, cold voice commanded.

Caleb froze. Julian stood at the doorway, eyes dark and cutting as they locked on the hand gripping Sydney.

This time, before she could struggle again, Caleb released her.

Julian extended his hand toward her. “Come back here.”

Relief washed over her. Sydney hurried over, her demeanor soft and obedient.

Julian’s irritation eased as he watched her play the part so well. He glanced at Caleb and smirked faintly. ” Already bullying her at my doorstep?”