Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Sydney saw no reason to cozy up to Charlotte . Perhaps her refusal had been too blunt , because the ever - smooth Charlotte's expression stiffened for the first time . Nearby , others glanced over . Charlotte recovered quickly and said lightly , " Alright , next time then . " " Sure . " Sydney inclined her head , and Charlotte soon departed . As Sydney approached the lab , mocking voices drifted from the common area . " Wow , she really thinks she's something . Even Ms. Lindstrom doesn't matter ? " " Exactly . " The second voice was familiar - it belonged to a member of her own team .

" Does she not realize who Ms. Lindstrom is ? Eight or nine times out of ten , she'll be the future Mrs. Sterling . " Sydney froze mid - step . The voices continued . " If you ask me , your whole department had better stop wasting your time . If she dares to offend the future CEO's wife , your group will be shut down any day now . " Sydney's face hardened . She strode over , dropped her coffee on their desk with a heavy thud , and said coldly , " If your idea of research is currying favor and bowing to power , you might as well disband now !

Then get moving . You're all men . Being left in the dust by a girl isn't a good look , is it ? " Sydney ignored their muttered protests , immersing herself completely . The sooner she made a breakthrough , the more lives she could save and more families she could give hope to . And for herself , it meant leverage- freedom

. As a student , she had survived on pasta three meals a day . After marrying Caleb , she had hoped cooking might bridge the distance between them . One disastrous meal later , she had

, now dressed only in a nightgown . 1/2 Tiffany , still hoarse from her fever , called out , " At least throw on a coat . Don't get sick too .