Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Chapter 650

Sydney froze, uncertain how to respond.

Florence had never meant to conceal the truth. She had only been considering how to explain it gently. She had not expected Raymond to state it so bluntly.

Florence quickly clasped Sydney's hand. "Sydney, we truly didn't know about this. My father-in-law has already stripped him of all his positions and sent him back to Brimcrest.”

Sydney felt the warmth of Florence's palm. There was no perfunctory tone and no attempt at an excuse, only sincerity.

The faint ache in her chest eased. After all, she was not close to Theodore. It was hardly surprising that he favored the daughter he had raised for more than 20 years.

She offered a small smile, smoothing things over out of courtesy rather than conviction. "Mr. Hutton has shared a father- daughter bond with Megan for many years. A moment of softheartedness is understandable."

There was no need to make Florence and the others uncomfortable. Nor did she have the standing, on Hutton family ground, to condemn a member of their family in front of them.

felt to Florence and her offspring, she knew

on Sydney's hand. "He's just muddleheaded. At his age, and still so

envy of many. Their families were well matched, and their affection had seemed deep. Even now, outsiders regarded them as a model

their marriage had changed the day their youngest daughter disappeared

long remained

them, James glanced at Raymond. "We're

at the sister who had grown up far from home yet had somehow remained within his watch. For

lighter tone. "That's why I came clean on my own. I was hoping

me. If anyone's to handle this, it's

soft laugh. "Let me begin your mother's

she did not want to linger on the subject, James followed her lead.

manage simple movements now, though she still needed support. After helping her lie down on the acupuncture bed, James turned to Sydney. "Thank you. I'll wait outside. Call

“Okay.”

She smiled gently.