Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 195

Naturally, Adeline remembered that day vividly. The car accident had taken the most important man in her life. Afterward, she had never considered marrying again. At the mere mention of it, grief flickered in her eyes.

"Why are you bringing this up?" she asked.

Penelope pressed, "You must remember, don't you?"

"Of course I remember."

"Then do you remember the police officer and the little girl who saved you and Caleb that day?" Penelope asked again.

"I remember."

In Adeline's memory, the little girl had been bright and sunny, like a well-tended sunflower. She radiated warmth and charm. If circumstances had been less chaotic, Adeline might even have suggested a childhood betrothal between Caleb and that girl.

A family of police officers—modest, perhaps, but upright and respectable. And the girl herself was so sweet and endearing. Paired with Caleb, she could have been the perfect match.

Adeline frowned at Penelope. "What exactly are you getting at? What does this have to do with Caleb?"

"Caleb has been searching for that little girl who saved you both. He thought I was her," Penelope said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "That's why he treated me so well."

Adeline let out a short, derisive laugh, her eyes sharp with contempt. "So that's it. I wondered how Caleb could have been so taken with you. It turns out it wasn't you at all!"

It felt vile, impersonating someone else like that.

"I didn't steal anything!" Penelope snapped. "If I had been the one to stumble on that accident, I would have saved you too! I just didn't have Sydney's luck!"

'But if it's Sydney…'

Penelope caught the flicker of doubt in her expression and struck while the iron was hot. "You're not seriously thinking of being kind to Sydney because of that, are you? She's always been at odds with you. Once Caleb finds out she was that little girl, he'll only ever listen to her."

Adeline's eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you proposing?"

Penelope did not hesitate. "Help me connect with the Sterling estate."

Earlier today, she had already pieced it together. If Sydney really was that orphanage girl, then the Sterling family who had taken her in was likely the same family that had adopted her back then—and they hated Sydney too.

'The enemy of my enemy can be my ally. Sydney, you've driven me into this corner. Don't blame me for what comes next,' Penelope thought darkly.