Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 188 At those words, Sydney's expression froze for a moment. She fell silent before murmuring, "So that's how it is." Her relationship with Julian was even more shameful than she had imagined. It was no wonder Charlotte's behavior around him had never seemed strange. Sydney had been the one blind to the truth from beginning to end. It was no wonder Charlotte had appeared tonight, of all nights-New Year's Eve. She was here as Julian's future wife. Before Charlotte could reply, Eloise descended the stairs, her voice warm and affectionate. "Charlotte, when did you arrive?

Why didn't you have Jason call me?" Her tone carried the indulgence of a grandmother addressing a beloved future granddaughter-in-law. Charlotte, poised and composed, answered with a gentle smile, "Jason said you were napping, so I didn't want to disturb you." Eloise made her way to the head seat in the reception hall. "Since you've come today, your family won't mind, will they?" Charlotte stepped forward to support her arm, her voice tender. "Of course not.

of the opposite sex, call Julian by that name. Eloise patted Charlotte's hand approvingly before her gaze finally shifted to Sydney. When her eyes landed on Caleb beside her, her expression softened, just slightly. "Cal, Syd is a headstrong

trouble. No one in my family thinks her temper is bad. On the contrary, she's wonderful. Both my grandmother and my mother adore her." Eloise hesitated. "Is that so?

had to turn out this way." He smiled faintly. Each word landed with deliberate weight. "Could it be that the Sterling family isn't quite as generous and kind to her as the rumors suggest?" Eloise frowned. Weren't people saying Caleb's true love was his sister-in-law, that he had never cared for Sydney? Why did it look now as though he defended her at every turn? Her expression tightened at the pointed question, but Charlotte stepped in smoothly. "Mr.