Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 69 Sydney watched Caleb's entitled demeanor and couldn't help but chuckle.

How had she never noticed his hypocrisy before?

With only four days until the divorce was final, she lacked the energy to argue.

She switched to "deal with the Sterling family" mode, polite but distant, and said earnestly, "Yes, don't overthink it.

Marcus and I are nothing more than friends." It was a line from a well-rehearsed script that she had learned well.

Caleb's eyes softened as he ruffled her hair gently, cooing like a parent, "I trust you, of course." For years, that had been his way to comfort her, especially when she had meltdowns with Julian and no one else defended her; Caleb always stepped in.

She was still figuring out how to escape politely as she started the car when her phone rang.

Marcus' name appeared on the screen, and the call connected through the car's Bluetooth.

"Syd, dinner at the usual place.

Can you make it by seven?" Relief washed over her, and she agreed immediately, saying, "Yes, I'll be there." Hearing her quick response, Marcus teased warmly, "You can bring someone, too.

Tiffany's off tonight.

If she's free, bring her along." Just then, Caleb spoke softly, "Mr.

Shepard, I'll go with her." Marcus, familiar with Caleb, caught the cool formality in his tone but replied with hospitality, "Of course you're welcome." Sydney quietly asked Caleb, "Are you sure you want to go?" "Can't I?" A faint frown crossed Caleb's face.

"Worried you'll feel uncomfortable with your senior around?" Men understood men.

in the parking lot had

naive and hopeful, masking her chill with a

just worried about you."

bother me?" She dropped the

Marcus and the others were already

moment Sydney pushed open the door, the room fell silent, not because of her arrival but because Caleb

Even Penelope froze.

called earlier to check Caleb's availability, and he had said he wasn't free, yet

brow furrowed as he

dinner with your coworkers?" Sydney

is just a group dinner with my

never noticed his

divorce was final,

the Sterling family" mode, polite but distant, and said

friends." It was a line from a

hair gently, cooing like a parent, "I trust you, of course." For years, that had been his way to comfort her, especially when she had

was still figuring out how to escape politely as she started the car when her phone

the screen, and the call

at the

washed over her, and she agreed immediately, saying, "Yes, I'll be there."