Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 475

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 475**

**Chapter 475**

It was nothing short of astonishing how swiftly Florence’s legs had healed. The speed of her recovery surpassed even her wildest expectations, filling her with a sense of renewed hope and vitality.

As Sydney gently extracted the last needle from Florence’s leg, a wave of relief washed over both of them. Florence’s gaze lingered on Sydney’s face, which radiated kindness and understanding. With a soft smile, she spoke, her voice laced with warmth, “I had the chef prepare some fish maw soup for you. You should have a bowl before you leave, hmm?”

In earlier days, Sydney would have accepted the offer with a bright smile and no second thoughts. But now, with Penelope’s unexpected return to the Hutton household looming in her mind, she hesitated, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken tensions. After a moment’s pause, she shook her head gently. “Thank you, but I must decline today. My mentor and his wife are staying just across the hall for a few days. I really should return early to have dinner with them.”

That had been her intention from the moment she received the news.

Florence, ever perceptive, understood Sydney’s unspoken dilemma. She reached out, patting Sydney’s hand with a reassuring touch, her smile brightening despite the circumstances. “In just a few days, I’ll arrange for someone to take Penelope and Megan back to Brimcrest. Their arrival was completely unexpected, and I wasn’t ready for it.”

Sydney returned a faint smile, her thoughts swirling with the complexities of family dynamics, but she chose to remain silent, not wishing to add to the tension.

Downstairs, the enticing aroma of simmering fish maw wafted through the air, filling the kitchen with a sense of comfort.

Drawn in by the savory scent, Penelope ambled into the kitchen, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach as she approached the stove. Her eyes landed on the clay pot bubbling away, and she inquired coolly, “What’s cooking? Get me a bowl.”

The housekeeper froze in place, caught off guard by Penelope’s unexpected presence. “This? Uh…” she stammered, scrambling for a response.

No one at Seraph Villa had anticipated Penelope’s sudden appearance. In fact, Florence herself wasn’t fond of fish maw soup; she had ordered it specifically for Sydney, knowing it was beneficial for pregnancy.

If Penelope were to take a bowl, it would leave nothing for Sydney later, and everyone in the household was acutely aware of how much Florence cherished Sydney.

The housekeeper hesitated, her mind racing for a way to diffuse the situation. “This soup is meant to nourish pregnancy, Miss. But there’s fresh herbal soup from noon in the fridge. Would you prefer that instead?” she suggested, hoping to redirect Penelope’s attention.

The staff at Seraph Villa were largely unaware of the intricate happenings at the Hutton family’s main estate. They had no idea that Penelope was pregnant and merely hoped that their explanation would dissuade her from pursuing the fish maw soup.

They were gravely mistaken. The moment Penelope heard the word “pregnancy,” her expression darkened, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“Soup from noon? So I’m supposed to drink leftovers?” Her tone was sharp, her gaze piercing. “Nourish pregnancy? Who in this house needs that kind of thing?”

Caleb had already denied her pregnancy, and she had planned to leverage her family name to force a marriage. If Sydney was carrying his baby, there would be no question about whom he would choose.

‘No. Absolutely not!’

Meanwhile, upstairs, Florence was preparing to bid Sydney farewell. As they made their way through the living room, Penelope suddenly emerged from the shadows, stepping into view with an almost deceptive sweetness.

“Sydney,” she called, her voice dripping with a false warmth, “the kitchen made fish maw soup just for you. Won’t you have some before you leave?”

Her tone was eager, almost painfully sincere, as if she had undergone a transformation overnight.

Sydney paused, her body tensing slightly. She turned, her gaze calm yet wary, sensing that something was amiss with Penelope’s overly bright smile.

She watched as Penelope reached for the clay pot, taking it from the housekeeper and extending it toward her.

“Come on,” Penelope urged softly, her voice almost a coaxing whisper. “My mom told them to make it especially for you.”