Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

At the boarding gate, Sydney spotted Marcus immediately. He dressed casually but looked crisp and clean, with a tall, graceful build and strikingly handsome features. He was scanning the crowd too, and their eyes met at just the right moment. Even after all these years, Marcus still looked briefly stunned at the sight of Sydney's bare, makeup-free face. He quickly crossed the space between them and took her backpack. Then his gaze swept over her delicate, palm-sized face once more.

His physician's instincts kicked in as he asked, "You didn't sleep well in the hospital, did you?" "A little," Sydney admitted. A few days ago, a new patient had moved into the next bed-a sweet older lady whose snoring was loud enough to rattle windows. When Sydney boarded the plane, she was surprised to find her seat had been upgraded to first class. Marcus noticed her confusion and raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Thought you could use a proper nap.

Since this trip's basically unpaid labor, the least I can do is make sure you're rested." As he spoke, he handed her a small sachet filled with calming herbs. Sydney smiled as she took it. "Will our mentor reimburse you?" "Relax. I can afford this much," he said. "Well then, thank you, Marc." Sydney was not one for false modesty. Marcus was indeed well off. His family owned a prominent pharmaceutical company, and running a medicine clinic was just a personal 1/4 Sun 24 Aug Chapter 17 passion project for him.

waves of patients. Jouleston and Storia had a six-hour time difference. By the time they landed, the sun was high and warm. A staff member from the research institute waited to drive them to the hotel. When they arrived at her room, Marcus walked Sydney to the door. Just as she reached for

eyebrow, clearly pleased. "Looks like the old man was right all along. Caleb never deserved you." Sydney caught the spark of amusement in his expression. "Can I take that as you gloating?" "Absolutely not. I'm genuinely happy for you," he said with a grin and helped carry her suitcase inside. "Get some rest. I'll pick you up later for dinner." "Sure." After washing up, Sydney pulled her phone from her bag. The

did not bother replying. Instead, she messaged Tiffany to let her