Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 518

Chapter 518

Even Peter, slow as he could be, understood what to do now. He hurried over and handed the phone to Julian, muttering in frustration, “Here, Mr. Sterling.”

‘Ms. Wilson, this isn’t my fault! Blame Elliot, that sly, conniving bastard!’ he grumbled inwardly.

Julian took the phone without even glancing at the screen and immediately hit Decline.

“Where is she?” His voice came out flat but edged with danger.

That “she” could only mean one person.

Before Peter could respond, Elliot spoke up eagerly. “Out back, watering the flowers.”

Julian gave a quiet hum and strode toward the garden.

As soon as he disappeared around the corner, Peter rounded on Elliot through gritted teeth. “You played dirty!”

“You’re just slow,” Elliot replied with a grin. *Why would we let Ms. Wilson answer a call from her ex-husband? A proper ex should stay buried, not crawl back to ruin Mr. Sterling’s mood.*

In matters like this, Julian’s “mood” was as small as the eye of a needle.

The man with that needle-sized tolerance walked into the back garden, phone still in hand. When he saw Sydney happily tending her plants in the midday sun, some of the coldness in his eyes softened.

She stood bathed in golden light, her hair loose around her face, glowing like a small, living sun.

Before he could speak, she spotted him and smiled. “You’re back already? It’s only noon.”

“To have lunch with you.” His tone was simple as he crossed the garden in long strides.

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He lifted the phone between his fingers, and his voice turned cool and teasing. “Someone called you.’

“Who?” Sydney asked in puzzlement and reached for the phone. She thought it was probably a telemarketer or a scam call.

Before she could check, he added mockingly, “Caleb.”

Her heart gave a small, sharp thud. She knew exactly why he minded. He believed that the child in her womb was Caleb’s.

She had thought about telling him the truth more than once-that apart from him, she had never been with another man.

But her past held her back. If she really was the descendant of a drug trafficker, then no matter who the father was, she would drag Julian down with her. 2

Neither the Sterlings nor public opinion would ever allow someone like Julian to marry the child of a criminal. And if Julian learned the baby was his, he would sacrifice everything for her without hesitation.

Sydney couldn’t let that happen. He had clawed his way to the top through blood and near-death, and too many eyes watched for the slightest chance to bring him down. She would and could not become his weakness.

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She had been waiting for news from Jeremiah, but nothing had come yet. Next time she visited him, she would have to ask if there had been any progress.

For now, Sydney steadied her voice and said lightly, “Oh, Caleb?”

“That’s all?” Julian arched a brow. “You’re not going to call him back?”

“We can eat first,” she said calmly. “I’ll return it later if I have time.”

His lips curved faintly. Of course he was still the more important one.

As they turned toward the house, her phone buzzed again. Caleb’s name flashed on the screen once more.

Julian’s expression darkened instantly. ‘Caleb’s sticky, clinging like chewing gum.’

Sydney answered the call and stepped toward the edge of the garden. Instinctively, Julian started to follow until a soft cough came from behind him.

He turned. On the veranda, Agatha sat serenely in her chair, watching him in amusement.

“Honestly, these days, you can’t see anyone but Sydney,” she said with a chuckle.

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