Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 537

### When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You by Aurelia Novel 537

**Chapter 537**

Diana shot him a look that was equal parts knowing and dismissive. “That girl probably doesn’t even bother talking to you,” she remarked, a teasing lilt in her voice that barely concealed her disdain.

Raymond chose to disregard her jab, focusing instead on the pressing matter at hand. “Since you already know she’s not Vee, why are you still keeping her around?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with frustration.

Each day that Penelope flaunted her fabricated sister status felt like a slow burn against his patience. He could sense the whispers and snickers that surrounded him, cloaked in the guise of respect for the Hutton family. Yet, he was acutely aware that behind his back, they were laughing. Julian, in particular—that insufferable bastard—never missed an opportunity to poke fun at him.

“Your little sister this, your sister that,” Julian would taunt, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Congratulations, found your long-lost sister, huh?”

Each sneer grated on Raymond’s nerves, making his teeth clench in irritation.

Diana, however, seemed unfazed. Her focus remained glued to her phone, scrolling through whatever trivial distraction had captured her attention.

Finally, it was James who broke the silence, his voice calm and measured. “We’re keeping her around to find the real Vee. What else? You think we’re running a charity, raising a twenty-something orphan just for kicks?”

The bluntness of his statement momentarily silenced Raymond, the weight of the truth settling heavily in his mind. The DNA samples had been switched, yet somehow the results still indicated a match. This revelation gnawed at him—someone, likely Penelope and Megan, already knew who the real Vee was. And that meant Vee was still alive.

A flicker of hope ignited within him, easing the tightness in his chest.

“Then, could Vee still be in Brimcrest?” he ventured, his voice tinged with cautious optimism.

“No.” Diana set her phone down with a finality that left no room for doubt. “Mother came to Jouleston first, and Penelope and Megan followed right after. They’re not worried about anyone back in Brimcrest. If Vee were still there, they wouldn’t be this calm or staying away for so long.”

Diana nodded, her voice as sharp as ever. “You’re right. If I could choose, I wouldn’t have picked you as my brother.”

The bluntness of her statement struck a chord, reminding him that his sister could wield her words like weapons, just as mercilessly against family as she did with others.

Before he could formulate a response, she added, almost casually yet with an underlying seriousness, “You know, I wasn’t the only one who objected to you two. Our grandfather is even more against it.”

She leaned back, her demeanor shifting as she continued. “If you’re willing to quit the hospital and work with James—join the family business and actually prove yourself—I’ll talk to Grandfather for you.”

Raymond felt his heart drop. “You mean I can’t keep practicing medicine?” The disbelief was evident in his voice.

“Correct.” Her tone softened just a touch, but the gravity of her words remained. “Ray, you’re thirty. You should understand this by now. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you want the family to back off about Tiffany, there’s only one way. You have to prove that when her family’s mess finally blows up, you’ll be capable of cleaning it up yourself.”