Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 363

Julian’s gaze dropped, the sharp edges of his eyes glimmering with an unsettling chill, a reflection of the storm brewing within him. “Almost certainly,” he replied, his voice low and deliberate.

Back then, despite Eloise’s position of influence within the family, she lacked the ability to command such a sprawling network operating in the shadows. All of Julian’s suspicions had coalesced around Flint, the man who had once held the reins of power.

After Flint’s incarceration, it seemed that the balance of power had shifted in Eloise’s favor, emboldening her to act with a newfound audacity. But that was before the chaos erupted—the gunfight that had sent shockwaves through their lives, after which Flint’s underground force vanished without a trace, retreating into the depths of obscurity. For years, they had remained silent, making no ripples in the fabric of the country.

“Whoever is orchestrating this isn’t someone to be trifled with,” Julian warned, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “You need to keep a close eye on Sydney’s safety. If things escalate, it might be wise to maintain some distance from her. The enemy lurks in the shadows, and we are laid bare. It’s better to observe and understand the intentions behind this turmoil.”

Raymond leaned in, his voice a cautious whisper. “If he reconnects with your grandmother, it’s likely to aid her in regaining power. Given your close bond with Sydney, she could very well become the primary target.”

“Don’t worry,” Julian replied, a flicker of self-deprecating humor lighting up his eyes. “This time, she’s quicker and sharper than before.”

He realized he no longer needed to shield her. She had truly blossomed into someone capable of standing on her own.

Days passed after Caleb’s report, and the gravity of that information pressed heavily on Sydney’s mind. The man’s strategies were more intricate than she had ever anticipated.

Patients flowed in and out of her clinic like tides, each one bringing their own stories and ailments. She had just wrapped up with a particularly chatty patient when her phone vibrated insistently on the desk, pulling her attention away.

With a quick glance at the caller ID, she hesitated for a moment, then answered, “Hello?”

“What’s your home password?” Julian’s voice came through, steady and devoid of any hint of impropriety, as if he didn’t realize how inappropriate the question was for a single woman.

“When you dropped off Yoyo’s things the other day, you forgot one of his supplements. He hasn’t had it for days, and I need to go in and give it to him,” he continued, his tone smooth and low, almost soothing.

Yoyo, her aging pet, required the extra nutrition, leaving Sydney with little choice but to comply.

“I’ll send it over,” she replied, her voice laced with impatience.

As she took Agatha’s pulse, Sydney couldn’t resist a playful jab. “What about your grandson? He hasn’t quite passed his probationary period, has he?”

She recalled how, just before the New Year, Agatha had mentioned that her grandson’s girlfriend was struggling to adjust to their relationship.

“Not anymore,” Agatha replied, a frown knitting her brow, clearly vexed. “He must have done something to upset her. I called a few days ago, and it turns out she won’t even talk to him now.”

She had intended to suggest a meeting between her grandson and Sydney, but the moment she brought it up, he had grown irritable and flatly refused.

‘Fine,’ Agatha thought stubbornly, ‘If he won’t meet her, I’ll take matters into my own hands.’

Releasing Agatha’s wrist, Sydney smiled gently. “You shouldn’t fret over the affairs of the young. From your pulse, it’s clear your health isn’t as robust as it was last year. Focus on keeping your mind at ease.”

As she spoke, she began to write out a prescription, her thoughts swirling around the complexities of relationships and the weight of expectations.