Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 402

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 402**
**Chapter 402**

The weight of humiliation that Sydney had borne throughout the years was not merely a fleeting emotion; it was a profound, searing wound etched deep within her psyche. The anger that simmered in her chest had never been allowed to escape, trapped like a wild animal in a cage. And now, when the moment had finally arrived for her to unleash that pent-up fury, she found herself forced to swallow it down once more, like bitter medicine that refused to heal her.

Julian flicked open his lighter with a sharp snap, the metallic sound reverberating in the stillness of the moment. After a brief pause, he closed it with a decisive click and spoke in a voice low enough to be barely audible, “Today wasn’t the right time for her to go head-to-head with Eloise.” His tone was laced with concern, a hint of frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Raymond’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean by that?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

“They’re already watching her,” Julian replied, his words heavy with implication.

Raymond’s eyes widened, a flicker of alarm crossing his face. “You mean Flint? You’ve found traces of him?” The mere mention of Flint sent a shiver down his spine, a reminder of the lurking danger.

Julian’s sharp, penetrating gaze swept toward the banquet hall, where the flickering lights cast eerie shadows. A flash of cold realization dawned upon him. “DK Pharmaceuticals. Tristan didn’t come today just for me,” he said, his voice steady but laced with urgency.

Reflecting back on the press conference, Julian recalled how Tristan’s seemingly innocuous question, posed through Penelope, had not been random at all. It was a calculated move, aimed directly at Sydney, a dart thrown with precision.

Raymond adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, a nervous habit of his. “You’re certain DK is backed by Flint?” His voice trembled slightly, betraying his unease.

“Tristan has a godfather. You’ve heard of him,” Julian replied, his tone almost detached, as if discussing the weather rather than a serious threat. “In the past twenty years, Tristan has returned to the country twice a year. Each time, within days of his arrival, someone pays Flint a visit in prison.”

The pattern was disturbingly clear. Every clue, every piece of evidence, led them to the same chilling conclusion: DK Group drew its real power from Flint. Today’s events had proven that they were no longer targeting Julian alone; Sydney had unwittingly become a pawn in this dangerous game.

It was no surprise that Julian hadn’t denied Penelope’s accusation regarding his involvement with Sydney. To deny it would have been futile. By admitting it, he created a flicker of hesitation among their enemies, a moment’s pause that could be exploited.

Yet, Eloise was a different story. She valued appearances above all else. If she felt cornered, she would lash out with the ferocity of a wild animal trapped in a snare.

Raymond, in a moment of distraction, reached for the cigarette he had snatched from Julian, but Julian, quick as a flash, reclaimed it from his fingers.

“What the hell? You don’t smoke, fine. But does that mean I can’t either?” Raymond protested, irritation creeping into his voice.

Julian’s expression remained serious, his resolve unshaken. “Secondhand smoke lingers too long,” he stated flatly.

Raymond shot him a sidelong glance, a mix of disbelief and annoyance. “So pretentious,” he muttered under his breath. “She’s ignoring you anyway. Even if you drowned yourself in smoke, she wouldn’t notice.”

Tiffany’s car had broken down, leaving her stranded, so she hitched a ride with Sydney. Naturally, she claimed the driver’s seat, her confidence evident.

During their time at the hall, Tiffany had sensed something was amiss with Sydney. Her friend appeared distracted, her mind wandering far from the festivities around them.

Once they hit the open road, Tiffany finally broached the subject. “What’s wrong with you? The conference went great. Why don’t you look happy?” Her tone was laced with concern, a gentle nudge for Sydney to open up.

Sydney released a slow, heavy breath, the weight of her thoughts spilling out. “It’s Tristan. What do you think he’s after?”

A stranger who seemed to know so much about her couldn’t possibly be motivated by mere revenge, yet she struggled to fathom his true intentions.

Tiffany frowned, her brow creasing as she pondered the implications. “It’s obvious. He wants to use your grudge against the Sterling family for his own ends.”

“But what those ends are, though, is anyone’s guess,” she added, her voice trailing off into a whisper. She hesitated before continuing softly, “But that’s not really bothering you, is it?”

Her voice dropped even lower, almost conspiratorial. “It’s what he said—that now you don’t know whether to hate just Eloise or the entire Sterling family.”