Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 524 For a moment, Iris froze. She wasn't foolish-she could hear the venom dripping from Adeline's voice. Still, offending Sydney wasn't an option either, not when the woman had deep ties to the Sterlings. One wrong word, and Iris might end up paying for it later. Just as she was looking for a graceful way to excuse herself, a low, cutting laugh echoed from the entryway. "If someone like you could marry into the Hampton family, then for Sydney, joining the Sterlings would be effortless." The words were calm, but the tone carried a chill edged with mockery. The room fell silent.

Most of the guests had long resented Adeline in private, but no one dared cross her while her son kept Hampton Corp. afloat. Now, though, the jab was too good. A few who lacked restraint nearly burst out laughing. Who was it? Who finally had the courage to say what everyone else was thinking? Sydney turned toward the speaker. Julian stood not far away, dressed in a navy suit. His expression was composed, but the displeasure in his eyes was unmistakable. He raised a hand toward her, his tone softening only for her. "Come on. Let's go home. The Hampton family's threshold is too high.

the Hamptons. Adeline's face shifted through furious red, embarrassed white, and mottled disbelief. Humiliated in front of her guests, she could barely hold herself together. She forgot all about the Sterling-Hampton partnership and their years of cordial relations. "Julian!" she snapped. "I'm still your

mocking me, you'd better go home and beg her!" Her cheeks burned crimson as she fought to keep her composure. Upstairs, Caleb heard the commotion. He hadn't even realized his mother had returned, but when her sharp voice echoed up the stairwell, he stopped mid-step. He wanted to hear

Julian pulled Sydney close, his arm steady around her shoulders. "You've misunderstood," he said evenly. "Between Sydney and me, it's not about whether I want to marry her. It's about whether she's willing to marry me." Iris exhaled in