Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 201

Sydney arched her brow and smiled sweetly. "A bet's a bet."

Caleb studied her delicate, lively features, and his gaze softened further.

…

At the Sterling estate, Penelope stepped out of the car, and a maid guided her toward the reception hall.

The Sterling family's antique grandeur carried the weight of a century-old lineage, far heavier than that of the Hamptons.

With each step, Penelope could not suppress her silent lament. 'Why must the gap between people be so vast? Why was I born to crawl in the mud?'

"Madam, Ms. Monroe, the one Ms. Mayer mentioned on the phone yesterday, has arrived," the maid announced.

At the doorway, Jason stopped her briefly. Only after a voice inside offered a flat acknowledgment did he gesture for her to enter.

Inside the hall, Eloise held a teacup, her sharp, calculating gaze sweeping over Penelope. Her presence felt far more formidable than Dorothy's. The Hampton matriarch, at least most of the time, could still appear kind.

Penelope's breath tightened as she moved forward cautiously.

Before she could speak, Eloise asked bluntly, "You're the Hampton family's eldest daughter-in-law?"

Penelope nodded. "Yes."

The messy scandal involving the Hampton daughter-in-law and her brother-in-law was hardly a secret in Jouleston's upper circles.

Eloise's disdain was clear in her eyes. "Your mother-in-law said you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes," Penelope said directly. "Madam Sterling, I know the real reason your family adopted Sydney all those years ago."

"Very well," she said calmly. "I'll just ask Mr. Sterling. With his reach, he could pull a few threads."

As she moved to leave, Eloise's sharp voice echoed. "Jason!"

When he returned, she commanded, "Pour Ms. Monroe some tea."

The tension in Penelope's chest eased. She sat on a sandalwood chair and maintained a composed calm. "Madam Sterling, I came today with no malice."

Jason placed a steaming cup beside her. "Please, Ms. Monroe."

Eloise's voice remained cool. "Then what is it you mean?"

Penelope's fingers traced the smooth green porcelain, her eyes flashing a cold gleam. "I came to help you."