Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 102 Sydney was so sleepy she could hardly keep her eyes open. All she wanted was to drag herself home, rinse off in a quick shower, and collapse into bed until the world turned upside down. But life rarely went her way. Or rather, Julian rarely let her have her way. She had barely taken a few steps when a car horn blared behind her, jolting her into a shiver. She turned and saw the rear window sliding down. Julian's cold, forbidding face greeted her. His brow bone jutted sharply, his deep-set eyes severe, carrying a natural air of distance. Her drunken haze cleared a little.

"What is it, Mr. Sterling?" A deep red scarf hung loosely around her neck, leaving a slender stretch of porcelain skin exposed. A streetlamp glowed directly overhead, making her delicate features look even more flawless, as if her skin would bruise at the faintest touch. At work, she usually tied her black hair up in a casual bun. Now it fell loose over her shoulders like wet silk, gleaming beneath the light. From head to toe, she looked gentle, almost docile. Yet the moment she spoke, her tone was laced with quiet defiance. Julian withdrew his gaze with unhurried ease.

corporate nonsense of late-night summons. If it had been about saving lives, she would have had no complaints. But what he asked had nothing to do with anything urgent. "The project assistant compiles the progress reports weekly, and Mr. Shepard sends them to your inbox," she said. "But

lingered on her, his tone flat, as if stating the obvious. "The window's open. I'm cold." Once again, Sydney surrendered to fate. She climbed into the car

her surprise, Julian listened with patience until she finished. Then, out of nowhere, he asked something that had nothing to do with work. "You let a man into your house this late at night. Aren't you afraid Caleb will find out?" Work was work. Private life was private. She met his gaze and asked, "And