Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 24 Adeline remained calm and measured, though her tone carried a chill. "Outwardly, you're still a member of the Hampton family. The Sterlings will at least show us some respect, won't they?" Sydney's hands clenched. She stared at Adeline, slightly stunned. "If Madam Sterling truly cared about you, why would she sabotage your job opportunity at the hospital back then?" Adeline spoke slowly. "And every time you came back from the Sterling residence, you could barely walk straight." Sydney's entire body tensed. Her gaze drifted toward Nancy, who stood in the corner.

Nancy looked away, guilt etched across her face. At that moment, everything clicked for Sydney. All those years she had kept up a façade, pretending she was fine. Adeline had seen through it, but like most sharp-eyed people, she'd waited until the moment suited her to say it out loud. Sydney went pale. Her fists loosened, and a rebellious glint sparked in her eyes. "How long is this temporary arrangement you mentioned?" she asked. "I'll take care of it as soon as I can," Adeline replied. "700,000." "What?" Sydney didn't flinch. Her tone stayed even.

"The two apartments on Aurum Road and 700,000 dollars." She knew she was asking for a lot-outrageously so-but said it anyway. She had never responded well to pressure. If Adeline had appealed to her using Dorothy's health, she might have agreed without 1/3 Sun 24 Aug Chapter 24 89% +15 BONUS protest. However, this condescending tone, this pretense of generosity, reminded her too much of Eloise. She had lived worse than a stray in the Sterling household, yet to everyone else, she was the one who should be grateful. Adeline's chest heaved with fury. "You don't know what you're saying!

struck the rug with a dull thud. Coffee splattered across the wool, soaking into the fibers. A mess-just like the end of this marriage. Ugly. Irreversible. Suddenly, the sound of the front door echoed through the house. A sleek black Maybach sat in the courtyard. Caleb had returned, unnoticed. His face looked drawn, his coat slung over one arm. As he stepped into the living room and took in the

"Would I yell at her for no reason?" This time, Sydney didn't step in to smooth things over. She didn't play the dutiful daughter-in-law. She just lowered her eyes and stayed silent. The warm winter sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, washing over her face. Her skin looked pale and flawless beneath the light. Even the fine hairs on her cheeks showed. Shadows fell from her lashes, her