Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 400

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel**
**Chapter 400**

In the quiet corners of the room, the weight of the conversation hung heavily in the air. Timothy, the youngest son of the Sterlings, was entangled in a situation that neither he nor the unborn child truly needed. Penelope, with her complicated past, was hardly the mother figure anyone would wish for. If the child survived, it would be the Sterlings who would take on the burden of raising it. The Hamptons, with their penchant for self-preservation, sidestepped the role of the villain, allowing the Sterlings to bask in the glow of their so-called righteousness, all while maintaining their polished reputation.

Eloise, though she hadn’t caught every detail of the earlier exchange, now grasped the essence of the situation. The pieces fell into place, and she felt a chill ripple through her as she processed the implications.

“So she’s carrying your youngest son’s child?” she inquired, her lips curling into a frosty smile that betrayed nothing of her inner turmoil.

Adeline’s complexion fluctuated, a canvas of emotions painted across her face as she struggled to articulate the truth. “Yes. When she gives birth, you may deal with her however you wish,” she finally managed, her voice taut with the weight of her confession.

The Hamptons were not blessed with many heirs, and Caleb’s focus had shifted entirely to Sydney. In another life, in a different reality, perhaps this child would never have come into existence. The thought lingered, a ghost of what could have been.

Eloise’s sneer deepened, her eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and disdain. “You can take her, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you mishandle this, it will tarnish the entire Hampton name. Your father-in-law would rise from his grave in fury.”

Following the farcical events, the aftermath of the conference resonated more profoundly than anyone had anticipated. Headlines blared with sensationalism, noting that the leading researcher was none other than the personal protégé of a titan in the medical field. The public humiliation of Penelope, coupled with Eloise and Shane’s disgrace for leaking sensitive information, sent shockwaves through social media, igniting a wildfire of gossip and speculation.

In a matter of hours, various topics began trending, and those who had previously been oblivious were suddenly aware that Sterling Corp. had just unveiled a groundbreaking new drug.

Another headline quickly gained traction: [Is the stern, domineering CEO truly paired with this genius researcher?]

Fans, in their fervor, began to ship Julian and Sydney, though the pairing had yet to achieve widespread viral status.

As the conference drew to a close, guests filtered into the banquet hall for the reception, a space now bustling with energy and anticipation.

Sydney found herself at the center of attention, besieged by individuals eager to engage her in conversation. The sheer volume of people was overwhelming, each face a blur of excitement and curiosity.

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