Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 207

Caleb cast a sidelong glance at the man, his tone as mild as ever. "Mr. Madden, you can't even recognize my wife? In that case, I don't think there's any need for your company to continue working with Hampton Corp."

The words were delivered calmly, yet they left no room for pretense. His displeasure was plain for all to see.

Richard Madden froze, utterly dumbstruck. He abandoned all attempts to cozy up to anyone and hurriedly backpedaled. "Oh dear, what a huge misunderstanding! Mr. Hampton, you're a magnanimous man. Don't take offense at my slip of the tongue."

He wished he could sew his own mouth shut. If he had known, he never would have opened it.

'So this is Caleb Hampton. The rumors, then, aren't entirely true,' Richard thought.

The circles always said he was cold toward his wife, doting only on his sister-in-law. But from the looks of it, he seemed to care plenty.

Richard thought bitterly, 'If looks could kill, Caleb would have ended me right here.'

Alan gave Caleb a long, meaningful look and said lazily, "All this fuss over one sentence. Funny, though. When your own scandals stirred up half the city, I didn't see Syd make such a big deal about it."

The words dropped like a stone. The group fell silent.

Only Sydney, watching her mentor stand up for her, felt a small warmth spread through her chest.

Glancing at the time, she quickly spoke up. "Alan, it's getting late. Let me drive you and Eliana home."

"Good, good."

Eliana, worried her husband might say too much and expose the fact that Sydney's divorce was not yet public, immediately tugged at Alan's sleeve. "Yes, let Syd take us back. I'm tired."

Sydney chose to ignore it and headed straight upstairs. Just then, the back door of the Maybach swung open from the inside. First appeared a pair of polished leather shoes, followed by long legs clad in a perfectly pressed suit.

Caleb stepped out, his eyes sharp and assessing as they fell on her. "Why were you having dinner with Marcus today?"

Aside from obligatory business functions, people usually only gathered with close friends or family after New Year's. If it was just a work relationship, she and Marcus would have no reason to be so close.

Sydney's face was cool and distant, and she shot back, "So now I don't even have the freedom to share a meal with someone?"

"Syd." Caleb closed the car door and took two steps closer with a slight frown. "I'm not saying you can't eat with others. But your relationship with Marcus—"

"I don't have to report my friendships with men to you."