Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 53 That sharp slap instantly drew everyone's attention. The shattered phone screen, the vivid handprint on her skin, and Sydney's reddened eyes told the whole story. She had clearly just been bullied. It was a pitiful sight. Caleb's brow furrowed as he stepped over and picked up the phone. "What happened?" Penelope tried to shift the blame to Sydney, but the words caught in her throat. There was no way to spin it. How could she say Sydney had stood up for her and that she'd hit her in return? She couldn't justify it, not even to herself.

All she could do was glare at the two women before snapping, "They were saying awful things behind my back! It was horrible." The two women looked like they wanted to disappear. Who would've guessed both of Caleb's women would cause trouble? Especially Sydney. She seemed soft, someone easy to push around-but once she spoke, she could tear you apart. From this moment on, no one would dare cross her again. Sydney took back the phone and turned to Penelope. In the same calm, gentle tone Penelope had once used against her, she said, "Penelope, maybe we should let it go.

a mouthful of blood she couldn't spit out or swallow. She was furious, but too many eyes were watching. If she lashed out now, she'd only make herself look worse. Her nails dug into her palm as she forced a strained smile. "You're right. Let's

instant, they bowed in panic. "We're sorry, we're really sorry." Penelope tried to keep her composure. "It's fine, it's fine-" "I meant you," Caleb cut her off, glancing at Sydney's reddened hand. "Apologize to Sydney." Penelope's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. "What did you just say?"

on his. After a long pause, she offered a faint smile. "It's fine." She tucked the broken phone into her purse, pulled out a velvet box, and walked