Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 267

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**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 267**

**Chapter 267**

Sydney sat at her desk, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. Yet, her mind was a well-honed blade, sharp enough to slice through the complexities of the corporate labyrinth surrounding her. She knew that even if she stumbled, she was ensconced within the fortified walls of Sterling Corp. Nothing catastrophic could truly unfold here—not today, not under her watch.

Elliot, her steadfast ally, observed her with a mix of admiration and concern. His employer’s unwavering confidence was a reassuring presence in the often-chaotic environment of the office. With a slight nod, he shifted his attention to another report, respecting the silence that enveloped them.

“Before we move on,” he began, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency, “there’s something else we need to discuss. The deputy director from R&D mentioned that the old estate has been funding a project group specifically for Penelope. They even leveraged their connections with the government to facilitate collaboration between their team and ours.”

Julian’s brows furrowed deeply, a storm brewing in his usually composed demeanor. “When did this come to light?” he demanded, his tone sharp.

“It seems this has been brewing for quite some time,” Elliot replied, choosing his words with care. “Your eldest aunt has always kept a watchful eye over R&D. She managed to keep this under wraps for Madam Sterling. No one else in the department dared to escalate the issue up the chain of command.”

In families like Julian’s, the intricate web of relationships made it nearly impossible to unravel the games being played behind closed doors. Everyone was acutely aware of how closely Natalie was tied to Julian by blood. Who among them would risk exposing a scandal that would inevitably be silenced in the name of family loyalty, leaving the whistleblower to bear the brunt of the fallout?

It was likely that the deputy director had picked up on Elliot’s earlier comments regarding Julian’s serious regard for Sydney and seized the opportunity to bring this matter to light.

A flicker of shadow crossed Julian’s eyes, and he turned to Elliot, a silent understanding passing between them. “You know what steps to take next.”

“I do,” Elliot replied, his earlier uncertainty dissipating. He felt a newfound resolve swell within him.

Over the years, the remnants of the old estate’s influence had been systematically dismantled within the company. Only Natalie remained, a relic of a bygone era, and Elliot understood precisely why.