Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 109 That price had already far exceeded Sydney's budget. She was not foolish enough to blow a fortune on a root that was not even in perfect condition. To Caleb, though, that kind of money meant nothing. Before long, the bidding climbed all the way to 200,000 dollars. Sydney hesitated. She could keep pushing just to spite them. But what if Caleb stopped bidding? Then she would be the one stuck paying for it. Penelope turned to her, deliberately asking, "What's the matter, Syd? Why aren't you raising anymore?" "I don't want it." Sydney's tone was calm and even.

"Is it that you can't afford it, or that you just don't want it?" Penelope's voice practically dripped with triumph. For Caleb to publicly humiliate Sydney on her behalf-this was the exact scene Penelope had been waiting for. Now, she wanted to see whether, after tonight, the gossips would finally understand who they ought to curry favor with. "200,000, once." "200,000, twice." "200,000-" "2,000,000!" Before the gavel could fall, the room erupted. "Holy hell, someone just dropped a bomb!" "Who?" "You don't recognize him? Think.

Besides the heir of the Sterling family, who else in Jouleston would dare swoop in like this on Caleb?" Sydney turned at the commotion. Julian strolled forward in a tailored black suit with one hand in his pocket, moving as if the entire event belonged to him. The staff trailed behind nervously, not daring to guide him to a seat. Everyone waited to see which seat he would claim for himself. The heir of the Sterling family-his name was known across both political and business circles. And right now, he was walking directly toward her.

Julian had never liked that he had married Sydney while still harboring feelings for someone else. For an older brother, resentment like that was natural. However, this was no longer mere resentment. This was tearing down the facade of peace in front of the entire

him. When he goes for the kill, he doesn't even

interest in being dragged further into this circus. Outside the auction hall, the buffet area stood nearly empty. Most guests were still inside. Sydney nibbled a piece of cake, drank half a glass of juice, and decided to leave early. But just as she set her glass down, her body suddenly felt wrong. Her fingers flew to her pulse. Her expression hardened instantly. The food she had just eaten had been tampered with. At a high-profile auction filled with Jouleston elites, no one would dare poison the entire