Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 202

At those words, Eloise held Penelope's gaze for a long moment before speaking with calm composure. "Then I'd like to see exactly how you plan to help me."

"You know Sydney is participating in Sterling Corp.'s cancer drug research project, don't you?"

Eloise's expression remained unreadable, so Penelope continued, "Once the project succeeds, your family won't be able to control her so easily. As a researcher on a national-level project, her influence will multiply a thousandfold compared to now. No matter how powerful the Sterlings are, if they tried to move against Sydney, it would stir up trouble."

"She doesn't have the ability to develop anything," Eloise sneered with disdain.

Sydney had grown up under her watchful eyes. The only thing remotely outstanding about her was her academics. Every year, Jouleston University had thousands of graduates, yet only one or two truly made a name for themselves.

Sydney had been tightly controlled from childhood, her opportunities cut off. She was destined never to rise. Most likely, Julian's lingering affection had secured her a place on the project just to pad her resume. It was impossible that she could personally develop anything useful.

Penelope knew the odds were slim, but she said, "But what if? With me around, I can make sure she absolutely won't succeed. And even if the project does succeed, none of the credit will be hers."

Eloise did not look surprised. She took a composed sip of tea. "And what is it you plan to do?"

Penelope smiled faintly. "I'll need you to provide me with a little help."

After their discussion ended and Jason escorted Penelope out, he returned looking uneasy. "Madam, why not cut the problem off at its root? Why agree to her proposal?"

No third person in the household knew the true reason the Sterlings had adopted Sydney. But now, an outsider who clearly had ill intentions did.

"What?!" Sydney froze, feeling like she had just been struck by lightning. "Exes? You two were already together?"

"Yeah." Tiffany put down the dryer, her expression calm. "During university, we dated for three months."

A brief three months, so short that in many people's eyes it wasn't even worth mentioning as a relationship.

But those three months were enough for Tiffany to learn, painfully, that an unscalable mountain lay between different classes of society. No matter how much she tried, she could never climb up to someone like Raymond.

"No wonder I never noticed anything at all," Sydney remarked.