Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 442

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 442**

**Chapter 442**

+25 Bonus

Theodore shook his head, a look of concern etched across his face. “She’s not in the right state to see anyone right now. It’s simply inconvenient,” he stated, his voice firm yet laced with an underlying worry for both parties involved.

Penelope, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, stepped closer to Sydney, her voice quavering as she spoke. “Syd, I’m so sorry,” she said, her tone heavy with regret. “I lost my head for a moment, that’s all…” Her words, however, were laden with an unspoken tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.

But as she neared, Sydney could see the shift in Penelope’s demeanor. A sinister smile curled upon her lips, transforming her apologetic facade into something far more menacing. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, meant for Sydney’s ears alone. “Sydney, I wanted you dead. What can you do about it?” The malice in her eyes was unmistakable, a glint of satisfaction at the thought of Sydney’s downfall. “You really think being Mrs. Hutton’s personal doctor means they’ll protect you forever? Dream on. From this moment forward, the only person the Hutton family will protect is me. Even if I ran you over again, you’d still have to take it.”

The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the room, slicing through the tension. Sydney’s hand stung from the force of her own action as she felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Before Penelope could fully process what had happened, another slap landed, this time from the opposite direction, leaving her reeling.

“Is that so? Then go ahead. Let the Hutton family protect you!” Sydney retorted, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. She had no idea what had triggered this sudden shift in the Huttons’ demeanor, but she was determined to handle this confrontation on her own terms.

Penelope’s eyes widened in disbelief, shock rendering her momentarily speechless. She didn’t dare retaliate, especially not in front of the Huttons, and instead clutched her face, summoning tears that glistened like diamonds in the light. “I… I was only trying to apologize…” she stammered, her gaze darting toward Theodore, searching for sympathy.

Both Theodore and Megan stood frozen, their expressions a mix of astonishment and confusion. Sydney had always been the epitome of grace—soft-spoken, polite, and impeccably refined. The entire household had held her in high regard, and now, witnessing this unexpected side of her was disconcerting.

Her carrying Caleb’s child was one thing; her testing his patience was another. But witnessing someone else belittle her was a line he would not allow to be crossed.

Megan felt the chill in his tone, her stomach twisting with unease. “I… I didn’t mean—”

But this was Brimcrest City, a place where the Hutton family reigned supreme, and not even Albus or Diana would dare offend Julian for anyone’s sake. Megan, too, had aspirations of marrying into his family, and the stakes were high.

Julian’s lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile. His gaze was cool and cutting, stripped of any semblance of politeness. “If I remember correctly, you’re the one the Huttons adopted, aren’t you?” he queried, turning to Theodore with a measured but pointed tone. “Tell me, Mr. Hutton, where did you adopt her from? An orphanage? Or perhaps a friend’s abandoned child?”

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension palpable as the implications of his words hung in the air, leaving everyone to contemplate the weight of family, loyalty, and the harsh realities of their intertwined lives.