Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 399

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 399**

As the maid delivered her message, the atmosphere shifted once more, the tranquility of the courtyard shattered by the urgent footsteps of another. “Madam Sterling, Jason, Ms. Mayer has arrived,” she announced, her voice barely containing the tremor of apprehension.

Eloise’s brow furrowed in confusion and irritation. “What on earth is she doing here?” she muttered under her breath, her mind racing with the implications of Adeline’s unexpected appearance.

In a world where discretion was the order of the day, especially in such tense circumstances, one would expect silence to reign. Yet, there was Adeline, ever bold and unrepentant, striding into the scene like a storm.

“Madam Sterling!” Adeline called out, her voice ringing out with a strange mix of urgency and bravado as she breezed past the maid and into the courtyard, her eyes barely registering Penelope, who lay sprawled on the ground like a discarded doll. Without a moment’s hesitation, she pressed forward, her intentions clear. “Forgive my intrusion, but I simply must ask if she has any last words.”

The press conference had been the talk of the town, dominating headlines and gossip alike throughout the day. Adeline had seen Penelope’s face plastered across every screen, and a wave of fury had surged through her. The audacity of that woman! Sneaking around behind the scenes was one thing, but crashing Julian’s press event? Who did she think she was, a queen?

Eloise, sitting regally in her chair, was Julian’s grandmother, a matriarch whose authority was not to be trifled with. No matter how furious Julian became, he would never openly defy her. Everyone else, however, was merely collateral damage in the grand scheme of their family drama.

With a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes, Eloise regarded Adeline, surprised by her unexpected display of caution. “Go ahead then, ask what you wish,” she replied, her tone almost playful, yet laced with an undercurrent of warning.

Suppressing her irritation, Adeline crouched beside Penelope, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “What exactly did you want to tell me?”

Earlier, Penelope had sent a cryptic message—something about the Hampton bloodline that had piqued Adeline’s curiosity. She had never anticipated that the child growing within Penelope would become her sole connection to the legacy she had long coveted.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify