Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 221

Sydney calmly averted her gaze, walked to her car, and was about to get in when Penelope approached, holding Timothy in her arms.

Penelope's eyes scanned Sydney with suspicion, finally settling on the corner of crimson peeking from Sydney's bag.

"What's that?" Penelope asked, her tone carrying the certainty of someone already imagining herself the future mistress of this family.

Sydney casually tucked the divorce certificate fully into her bag and replied with breezy indifference, "A garbage disposal permit."

Penelope frowned, not understanding, and pressed further, "The drug you mentioned at yesterday's meeting. When will the test results be ready?"

"For what?" Sydney asked with a faint smile. "Planning to play bandit? Penelope, you really do show your true colors early."

All her life, Penelope had loved taking what was not hers. Now, she had set her sights on Sydney's research results.

Her face stiffened, and she snapped, "Who says I want to steal your things?"

"Then figure it out yourself," Sydney said coolly. "Don't think you can just sit back and profit."

She slid into her car, started the engine, and drove off, leaving Penelope fuming.

Penelope stomped her foot. If she could do the research herself, would she even need Sydney?

Rationally, she doubted Sydney could achieve anything meaningful, yet a gnawing fear lingered. What if Sydney really did have that kind of luck?

Carrying Timothy, Penelope walked inside. "Timmy, did that tramp say anything to your grandma? She didn't give her anything, did she?"

Popping a cherry into her mouth, Penelope said slowly, "She and Julian are no longer just 'siblings.'"

Adeline's expression tightened with alarm. "Speak plainly. Don't dance around the subject!"

At her age, Adeline was not stupid. She understood what Penelope implied. Sydney was supposed to be Julian's little sister—raised by him, no less.

Adeline's temper flared due to Penelope's hesitation. "If this is gossip, keep it in your stomach. Spread slander about Julian, and I swear you're courting death! Don't drag the Hampton family down with you!"

Penelope knew that if she only described what had happened that day, Adeline would dismiss her as talking nonsense, like Caleb and the others had.

Thus, she gritted her teeth and said outright, "I saw them kissing."