Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 447

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 447**

**Chapter 447**

The Hutton estate, once alive with the chatter and laughter of guests, now lay shrouded in a heavy silence, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded throughout the day. Albus and Elizabeth, weary from the emotional toll of the events, appeared as if they had aged a decade in just a few hours.

Once Sydney and Julian had taken their leave, Albus turned to his grandsons, his voice steady yet imbued with an underlying urgency. “Theodore, I need you to take charge. Guide our remaining guests out, one by one. This place needs to return to some semblance of normalcy.” As he spoke, the echo of footsteps faded, and the once-bustling house succumbed to an oppressive quiet.

Casting a thoughtful glance at Theodore, Albus continued, his tone measured but unmistakably firm. “You are the head of this family now, and with that title comes responsibility. Some matters require a firmer hand. If you find yourself at a loss, heed your daughter Diana’s counsel.”

The implication was clear: while Theodore may have the title, he lacked the acumen for making the crucial decisions that lay ahead. The weight of his grandfather’s words hung in the air, and Theodore’s face tightened, a flicker of pride wounded but his lips sealed against a retort. “I understand, Grandfather. You must be exhausted. Perhaps you should rest upstairs?”

The late hour pressed upon them, and Albus, sensing the fatigue in his bones, offered a slight nod, choosing not to delve deeper into the conversation.

Meanwhile, Penelope had already been whisked away to the police station, her involvement in the investigation a necessary yet unsettling turn of events. Outside the conference room, only Florence, Diana, Leon, and Megan remained, the atmosphere thick with unspoken thoughts.

Suddenly, Megan placed a hand on her stomach, her face contorting in discomfort. “Mom, Diana, Leon, I’m not feeling well. I think I need to step away for a moment.” Without waiting for anyone to respond, she turned and ascended the staircase, her urgency palpable. It was well-known among them that she preferred the solitude of her private bathroom, and no one dared question her need for privacy.

Florence caught Leon’s furtive glances directed her way, as if he were weighing the right moment to speak. Unable to endure the silence any longer, she broke it herself. “Leon, I truly appreciate you coming all this way today. It means a lot.”

He replied, his voice courteous yet emotionally distant, “We’re family. It’s nothing, really.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, Florence then addressed her daughter, “Diana, I’m feeling quite fatigued. Would you mind seeing Leon out for me?”

“Of course,” Diana replied, her tone brisk.

As Florence stepped into the elevator, Diana’s gaze flicked momentarily to the subordinate accompanying Leon, before her eyes returned to him with an icy detachment.

“Can we have a word?” she asked, her voice crisp and devoid of warmth, more akin to a business meeting than an intimate conversation with her soon-to-be ex-husband.

Helen Parker, the subordinate, immediately sensed the shift in atmosphere and understood she was not welcome. A blush crept across her cheeks as she glanced at Leon for direction.

“Just wait for me in the car,” he instructed, barely sparing her a glance.

Diana’s lips twisted into a cold smile. “Always the diplomat, aren’t you?”

He had always played that role, even in their marriage, which had been more about strategic alliances than love. And she, in her naivety, had gone along with it.

Meanwhile, guests still lingered in the main hall, the remnants of the day’s events hanging heavy in the air.

Helen, burdened with two sealed DNA sample bags, navigated through the reception area, her focus on the front courtyard.

At the foot of the spiral staircase, a maid dashed down in a flurry, panic etched across her features, and collided with Helen.

Stumbling in her high heels, Helen grasped the railing just in time to prevent a fall, a gasp escaping her lips as she regained her balance.

“I-I’m so sorry!” the maid stuttered, bowing repeatedly as she scrambled to retrieve the fallen sample bags.

With both hands, she returned them to Helen. “I truly apologize, Miss. Are you alright?”