Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 397

**Chapter 397**

At this moment, Sydney felt an exhilarating surge of determination coursing through her veins. Why should she stifle her ambitions? If Eloise intended to clip her wings and keep her grounded, then she would rise even higher. So high, in fact, that Eloise would be left gasping for air, unable to keep up. Sydney was resolute; she would make sure that this murderer faced the consequences of her actions.

The revelation that Sydney had studied medicine for a staggering sixteen years astonished not just Penelope and Eloise, but everyone present in the room. How could someone in their twenties have such an extensive background in medicine? It was a question that hung in the air, heavy with disbelief.

As Sydney scanned the crowd, she felt an unsettling gaze lock onto her. Instinctively, she turned, her eyes meeting a pair of piercing, almost malevolent ones. The man was a stranger, yet there was something unnerving about his scrutiny.

Down below, Tristan Sinclair appeared unfazed by the rudeness of his blatant stare. With an almost lazy smile, he leaned forward and asked, “Ms. Wilson, if I may inquire, which mentor guided your studies?”

Penelope seized the opportunity, her tone dripping with skepticism. “Exactly! Sydney, are you really claiming that you began your medical studies at the tender age of eight or nine? Don’t make me laugh! Flipping through medical textbooks at home hardly constitutes actual studying! Who in their right mind would take on a student that young? That’s not teaching; that’s just babysitting!”

Alan, whose patience had long since evaporated, could no longer contain his frustration. He snapped back, “You people are truly ignorant. I relish teaching children. They possess a purity of mind and an unwavering focus—unlike you lot, whose faces contort with greed at the mere mention of profit.”

His hand struck the table with a resounding thud, his voice rising in intensity. “And let’s get one thing straight: this drug was developed entirely by her. She hasn’t touched any of your precious interests!”

He had watched Sydney grow from a child into the remarkable young woman she was now, and it infuriated him to see her being belittled. His anger simmered, flaring hotter with each passing moment.

Everyone in the audience was acutely aware of who Alan Conton was—a living legend in the field of medicine, often hailed as a modern-day Hippocrates. His reputation was beyond reproach. Even the most influential officials and wealthy tycoons would scramble for the opportunity to have him diagnose or treat them.

His sharp glare swept over the room, challenging anyone to speak against him. “If anyone here is benefiting from ‘connections,’ it’s Julian! He’s the one who pulled strings to get her to agree to develop this drug for Sterling Corp.!”

At that precise moment, Marcus stepped forward, his voice steady and calm amidst the chaos.

“To be honest,” he said evenly, “the drugs developed under the Lumosa Clinic’s name, the ones that have been publicly credited to me, were all the result of Sydney’s hard work.”

The room erupted into a cacophony of disbelief. No one had anticipated that this quiet, unassuming young woman was, in fact, Alan’s formal protege.