Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 54 "I'm okay." Sydney glanced at her reddened hand. Compared to the maids at the Sterling estate, Penelope's slap was nothing. Over the years, she had grown tough and thick-skinned. Her pain tolerance far exceeded most people's. Tiffany still didn't look convinced. "We'll stop by the pharmacy later and get something for it. You didn't even try to dodge. Why'd you let her hit you?" Sydney's voice stayed soft and steady. "Because getting hit was more effective." Tiffany was momentarily at a loss for words.

She had always thought she knew Sydney well, but something about tonight left a weight in her chest. She knew what kind of person Sydney was-pure, kind, quietly resilient. And around her, Sydney had always stayed cheerful, like a little beam of sunshine. When Sydney noticed her silence, she rubbed her palm and asked, "Do you think I'm too calculating?" Tiffany glared at her, tears already sliding down her cheeks. "Are you dumb or what?" She wiped them away and gave Sydney's head a rough rub.

She smiled. "There's nothing to feel bad about. It's all in the past." Things now

This winter was especially cold-the perfect weather for homemade stew. As the white Audi pulled out of the lot, a sleek black Bentley eased in. The two cars nearly brushed past each other. Elliot squinted at the license plate, frowning. "Isn't that Ms. Wilson's friend's car? It looked like someone was in the passenger seat too. Didn't the party just start? She already left?" Julian looked up from his tablet, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?" Peter glanced in the rearview mirror and said, "He said Ms. Wilson already left. That

employer's gaze had turned dangerous? Had he said something wrong? Wasn't it normal for couples to arrive together? That sharpness vanished the moment they stepped into the private suite and saw Penelope seated next to Caleb. Something about the room felt off. Bruce was in the