Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 227

That single line revealed Caleb's attitude. If they were truly divorced, what man would come to pick up his ex-wife and take her "home"?

Silence stretched through the phone. Nothing but quiet filled the speaker.

Sydney's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly.

Eloise gave her a sidelong glance, the curl of her lips mocking, as if to say, "You think too highly of yourself."

She added smoothly, "If it's inconvenient, then forget it…"

Before she could finish, Caleb's calm yet commanding voice echoed. It seemed he had his assistant reschedule an emergency meeting and cancel a dinner.

A faint chuckle followed. "How could it be inconvenient? I'll head to the estate right away."

"Good, good. You're thoughtful." Eloise's brow nearly knotted, but her voice stayed pleasant, still probing. "Syd was truly blessed to have married you."

"Not at all. I'm the one blessed to have her as my wife." Caleb's reply was soft but unwavering.

The line went dead.

…

Caleb looked to find Gordon standing awkwardly. "What's wrong?"

"Mr. Hampton, this meeting really isn't one we should postpone."

"Then move it to tonight." Caleb checked his watch. "Eight o'clock will do."

Gordon hesitated, exasperated. "You're going to—"

"To pick up Syd." Caleb rose and slid into the tailored jacket draped over his chair. The watch on his wrist caught a flash of cold light. "I'm heading out now."

Gordon could only watch. 'Since when did the boss turn into a lovesick fool?'

…

The moment the call ended, Sydney sensed Eloise's displeasure boiling over.

'So much for the carefully arranged dinner at the Jedian Hotel,' Sydney thought scornfully.

The driver had no choice but to turn back toward the Sterling estate.

The line went dead before Penelope could answer. Her palms broke into sweat. She knew the threat was real. After a long, frozen moment, she finally stood and made another call.

"How far has Sydney's research progressed?"

…

Downstairs, Sydney sat quietly in the reception hall.

Eloise had not reappeared, and Caleb would not arrive so quickly.

At that moment, Marcus sent her a new draft of the plan. She bent over her phone, absorbed in their exchange.

"Waiting for me?" The sudden voice jolted her, and she nearly dropped her phone.

It was not Caleb but Julian.

Clad in a dark gray, custom-tailored suit, he stood a short distance away, his presence cool and commanding.

Her heart lurched. 'Is he insane? Being this obvious here, in the Sterling estate, surrounded by maids? Even Jason is standing nearby!'