Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 213

In the photo, the little girl's bright eyes and sweet smile aligned almost perfectly with a hazy memory in Caleb's mind. Years had passed, enough for her face to have blurred with time, yet everything snapped into place the instant he saw it.

Still, the picture felt strangely familiar. He was certain he had seen it before. When he noticed Sydney's gaze drift toward his phone, Caleb instinctively locked the screen, tucked it away, and cleared his throat.

Sydney read the tension in his expression and spoke first. "You probably have something urgent to handle, don't you?"

Caleb felt a restless urgency gnawing at him. He needed to know why the photo stirred such recognition. "Yeah. Something came up."

"Then you should go," Sydney said calmly.

He cast a final uneasy glance at Marcus beside her, weighed his options, and nodded. "Alright. I really do have urgent business."

Once she acknowledged him, Caleb strode toward the elevators, his retreating silhouette radiating impatience.

The moment he reached his car, he dialed Gordon. "I swear I've seen this photo before."

It wasn't just familiarity. He knew the girl's face far too well. This wasn't the vague recognition of a child he'd met a few times in Brimcrest City. This was a memory.

Something in his mind itched, as if the answer were clawing its way out.

Caleb's voice tightened, urgent and sharp. "Follow every lead from that picture. Don't miss a single detail."

"Yes, Mr. Hampton."

Caleb drew a steadying breath before asking grimly, "Last time, Penelope mentioned that the family who adopted Precious was in Jouleston. How's that lead coming?"

Since New Year's, Julian hadn't returned to the apartment across from hers. She assumed he had grown tired of slumming it in an ordinary flat and retreated to the comfort of his mansion.

The thought eased her. When he was right across the hall, that cursed "contract" always felt like a tightening weight on her skull. If he moved back to Delta Mansion, she could finally breathe.

Sydney was so relieved that she found herself humming a cheerful tune as she stepped off the elevator.

"Well, well. Did you know I was coming back today? You seem awfully happy."

The deep, magnetic voice stopped her cold. Her song died mid-note, and she froze in place.

Sydney hadn't expected him back at all, let alone this suddenly, without a hint of warning. She hadn't even glanced toward the left side of the hall when she exited the elevator.