Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Sydney and Julian find themselves in a tense and emotionally charged situation after eight years of silence and unresolved feelings. As Sydney grapples with the weight of their past, she reflects on the contract that looms over her, symbolizing the barriers between them. Despite a fleeting hope that things might have changed, she feels the chasm of unspoken words and emotions still separates them.

While in the restroom, Sydney encounters Charlotte, who is poised and elegant, yet carries a sense of warmth. Their interaction is laden with tension as Charlotte invites Sydney to join her family for dinner, which Sydney declines, asserting her independence. The conversation takes a sharp turn when Charlotte reveals that her family is discussing her marriage to Julian. This revelation sends a jolt through Sydney, reminding her of the power dynamics at play and the painful reality that Julian's choices govern their fates.

As Sydney processes this news, she tries to maintain her composure, assuring Charlotte that she won't interfere with Julian's life. However, the emotional turmoil within her is palpable. Charlotte, though aware of the complexities, struggles with her own inability to clarify the situation, leaving Sydney to confront her feelings alone. The scene is charged with unspoken emotions, highlighting the weight of their shared history and the choices that lie ahead. Stepping out of the restroom, Sydney unexpectedly encounters Julian, whose intense gaze sends a shiver down her spine.

Their conversation is a mix of sarcasm and underlying tension, with Julian teasing her about the contract and marriage discussions. Sydney's response is calm yet laced with bitterness, as she contemplates the irony of their situation. The stakes are high, with the penalty for breaking the contract looming over her like a dark cloud, and Julian's casual demeanor only adds to her frustration. As Caleb enters, the atmosphere shifts slightly, bringing a hint of levity to the charged exchange.

His offer to pay the penalty introduces a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, suggesting that perhaps there is a way forward for Sydney. The chapter ends on a note of uncertainty, leaving readers to ponder whether Sydney will find the strength to navigate her tumultuous emotions and the decisions that lie ahead. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Chapter 260** The group slipped away into their private enclave, the heavy door gliding shut with a soft thud, reminiscent of the eight long years that had quietly stretched between Sydney and Julian.

words and unresolved emotions. For a brief moment-perhaps a month or two-she had allowed herself to entertain the notion that something had shifted. It was all because of that contract and its daunting penalty

should consider herself fortunate. How could she dare to wish for more than that? With her heart heavy, Sydney lowered her gaze and made her way toward the restroom, her fingers instinctively reaching for her phone. She navigated to the reminder she had set for three

she caught a glimpse of Charlotte in the mirror. Charlotte stood there, adorned in an elegant yet inviting Chanel suit, radiating the poise of a refined heiress. Her presence was commanding, yet there was a warmth in her demeanor that was hard to ignore. Charlotte's eyes widened slightly

albeit tentative, greeting. "I... Our family is dining with the Sterlings today. Would you care to join us?" "No need," Sydney replied, pausing for a moment as she weighed her words. Finally, she shook her head, her voice steady. "I'm here with friends. They're expecting me." Facing Charlotte, an unsettling feeling crept over her. Unlike Penelope, who had played games

approached Sydney at the clinic, asking her to step aside, there had been a brutal honesty in her request. Charlotte let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "All right. Then go ahead." "Mm." Sydney turned to leave, but just as she was about to step away, Charlotte's voice broke through the air. "Our families are meeting today to discuss my marriage with Julian." At those words, Sydney felt her spine stiffen. She didn't turn around; she couldn't afford to

whenever he desired, and she had long since accepted that reality. Sensing Charlotte's unease, Sydney added softly, "Don't worry. I won't cling to him." Even if

explain that the marriage was Eloise's idea, that Julian had already clashed with her over it, that he would never yield to his family's wishes. But Charlotte was only human, and the selflessness required to play the role of a benevolent matchmaker was a courage she simply did not