Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 353

**Chapter 353**

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling city, Sydney finally wrapped up her hours at the clinic. She hurriedly grabbed a light snack, her mind already racing ahead to the institute. Today was pivotal; the first reports on the trial drug’s performance were due, and Sydney felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety bubbling within her.

“Syd, the data’s out!” Marcus burst into the room, his enthusiasm palpable as he strode in, eyes sparkling with energy. But the moment their gazes locked, his excitement faltered, replaced by a flicker of concern that made Sydney’s heart race.

Shane, ever the observant one, caught Marcus’ uneasy expression and chuckled lightly. “Mr. Shepard, how’s the readout? It should align with what you and Ms. Wilson projected, right?” His tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness beneath it.

“How is that ‘about right’?” Marcus sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “It’s way off. The subjects aren’t doing well at all.”

Sydney’s brow furrowed deeply. “Let me see,” she said, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

She took the packet from Marcus, her fingers trembling slightly as she skimmed the first page. As the data sank in, her expression darkened, the weight of the information pressing heavily on her chest.

Shane, sensing the shift in the room’s atmosphere, exhaled quietly. He opened his mouth to offer a few words of comfort but was interrupted when his phone buzzed insistently. A glance at the caller ID made his stomach tighten with dread. “Hey, Mom, I told you I’m at work during the day…” he answered, stepping outside to find a moment of privacy.

Once in the empty fire stairs, he lowered his voice, the urgency of the situation creeping into his tone. “The data from Sterling Corp.’s side is out. It doesn’t look good.”

On the other end, Penelope’s expression hardened, disappointment flashing in her eyes like a storm brewing on the horizon. “Only ‘not good’? Did any subjects show adverse reactions?” Her voice was clipped, the tension palpable.

By all rights, the application packet that Sydney’s team had submitted for the clinical stage was one Shane had already swapped out. The test subjects should have been exhibiting severe adverse reactions by this point, and the thought of that looming reality sent a chill down his spine.

“I’m not sure,” Shane replied, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. “But Mr. Shepard and Ms. Wilson both looked pretty shaken…”

“Fine,” Penelope said, her tone softening just a fraction. “Get me something solid.”

If Sydney’s team attempted to conceal negative results, Penelope would not hesitate to expose them. She had the power to obliterate the rising star’s reputation with a single blow.

Marcus waited patiently until Shane disappeared down the hall. Then, he turned to Sydney, their eyes meeting in a shared understanding. A smile crept onto his face.

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