Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 564 'Would I?' Sydney had never considered that question. Years of hardship had shaped her into a quiet pessimist. The fact that her biological parents were not drug traffickers already felt like a small miracle. She never let herself imagine anything better. She had even braced herself for the chance that her family might reject her. Sydney lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. She shook her head. "I don't think I would be sad.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you" Without those years, she never would have lived under the same roof with Julian for nine long years. Her memories of her family had faded, but Julian had remained solid and real. He taught her how to protect herself and how to grow stronger. Julian froze, the pressure under his ribs tightening. He pinched her cheek. "That isn't certain." If the universe's grand plan had changed, they would have met in another place with different identities. She would not have been the small, pitiful girl kneeling in the mourning hall peeling candy for him.

She would have stood as the bright, spoiled youngest daughter of the Hutton family, Vivian Hutton, at Raymond's side. His words left Sydney puzzled. "Why do you say that?" If her adoptive parents had never taken her in, she never would have ended up in the Sterling household. She never would have met him. Julian hesitated. At that moment, Elliot stepped out of the car and approached them. He leaned close and spoke quietly. "Mr. Sterling, after Ms. Wilson left Seraph Villa last night, Mr. James' people flew to Storia. They went to a biological research institute. I asked around.

slip." Julian's brows tightened and then eased. "I understand." His voice dropped. "You're sure no one else has access?" "No one." Elliot gave a firm answer and stepped back. Sydney assumed they

the company. Something else. I need time to decide how to tell you." He felt almost certain she was Vivian Hutton, but the Huttons had already arranged