Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 331

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 331**

**Chapter 331**

The audacity of it all was staggering. They had gone to great lengths to develop a drug that was supposed to revolutionize cancer treatment, even going so far as to throw a lavish celebration party. What a disgraceful turn of events.

When Penelope had lured Ryan away from Lumosa Clinic, she had made a solemn vow that their groundbreaking project would not only succeed but would send ripples through the entire research community. The anticipation had been electric, the possibilities endless.

But now, as the reality set in, it seemed that any shockwaves they might create would be of a decidedly unremarkable nature. This company had squandered millions, only to “discover” a cancer drug that other firms had already introduced to the market years prior. The weight of this information pressed heavily on Penelope’s chest.

She stood frozen, her mind racing. “You checked the trial feedback data?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if fearing the answer.

Sydney had been touting her formula as a miracle drug with near-zero side effects, hadn’t she? How could the results align so perfectly with every other drug already available? It was impossible.

Ryan’s frustration boiled over as he nearly slammed his fist against the desk. “Of course I checked! Not just once, but several times! I went through every detail with a fine-tooth comb!”

“That’s impossible,” Penelope replied, her disbelief evident.

“Monroe, don’t tell me you’ve been duped,” Ryan shot back, his voice laced with concern.

The moment those words left his lips, Penelope felt a shift within her. Clarity washed over her like a cold wave. ‘So, this is it. Not only has Sydney deceived the Huttons, but she has also managed to pull the wool over Sterling Corp. and Julian’s eyes. They have poured countless resources into this venture, and that wretched woman has produced nothing of value.’

As a smile crept onto Penelope’s face, Ryan’s unease deepened. “Why are you laughing? Have you considered how you’re going to explain this disaster to the Sterling family? Don’t drag me down with you…”

He was acutely aware that her backer was none other than Eloise, a formidable figure in the industry.

Penelope let out a light, almost melodic laugh. “Relax, Ryan. That old woman will be absolutely delighted.”

After all, Eloise’s ultimate ambition was to keep Sydney under her thumb for eternity. Now, Sydney was on the verge of offending not only the Huttons but also Julian.

So what if she had some sordid entanglement with Julian? A businessman’s instinct was to pursue profit relentlessly. Once he uncovered Sydney’s true nature, it was unlikely he would continue to shield her. In fact, he might even wish her dead.

By that time, Eloise wouldn’t need to lift a finger. The Huttons and Julian would make sure that Sydney’s existence was more torturous than death itself.

For patients, this was a brilliant initiative. Most individuals suffering from chronic ailments rarely visited hospitals and often overlooked the warning signs their bodies sent them. With this platform, recording a few notes each day would be effortless, and the system would respond promptly to their needs.

However, the catch was glaring: to businessmen, this idea was time-consuming, expensive, and challenging to monetize. The only model Sydney could envision was a paid membership system, which felt inadequate.

She set the documents down and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her brow furrowing in thought. “So, how are you planning to price it?” she inquired, her voice steady but laced with concern.

If the price was set too high, the elderly population would likely refuse to participate. More importantly, many chronic patients were already stretched thin by their ongoing treatments.

James, perceptive to her worries, replied, “No charge. The plan is to make it completely free.”

Sydney blinked in surprise. “Free?”

“Yes,” James affirmed, a gentle smile gracing his lips, his tone calm and sincere. “My grandfather always said, ‘When poor, cultivate yourself. When prosperous, help the world.’ This project is something he personally asked me to see through.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, resonating with Sydney as she contemplated the implications of such a generous approach.