Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Sydney had no time to think about anything else . " Where did Penelope move to ? " she pressed . " Well ... " Kelly hesitated . " I don't know . " A faint weight settled in Sydney's chest . She climbed back into her car and dialed Caleb . No answer . Then a message appeared - Victor , with a hotel room number . Victor : [ Be good . Stop wasting your time . Caleb has no time for you . ] On the outskirts of the city , a black Maybach glided into a secluded villa's courtyard . The driver stepped out , opened a black umbrella , and held the rear door . Caleb emerged .

His long frame moved with cold precision , and his eyes betrayed a dark storm of emotions . Gordon rushed to meet him . " Mr. Hampton . " " Is she willing to talk ? " Caleb's voice was stripped of its usual gentleness . Gordon fell into step beside him . " Ms. Monroe insists on speaking to you directly . " A cold glint flashed through Caleb's eyes . He straightened his cuffs and strode into the basement . The woman he had once held with care now waited in a bare concrete room , trapped behind iron bars .

The moment Penelope saw him , she dashed forward and shook the door with trembling hands . Tears streamed down her cheeks . " Cal , Cal ! I know I was wrong ! Please , let me out ! " Once , Caleb could not bear to see her cry . Her tears had always summoned the image of that little girl clutching her father's hand , darting through traffic to protect his family . His heart had softened against his will . Even after she had long ceased to be that innocent child , he had indulged her and lowered his bottom line repeatedly for her . And yet , she had never been Precious .

her parents had died in an accident . She had vanished . For years , he had pursued every lead and pulled every string until the day he saw the pendant around Penelope's neck . And now , it had all been for nothing .