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.

Florence and her offspring, she knew exactly who

her words and felt her chest tighten. Her breathing grew uneven as she tightened her grip on Sydney's hand. "He's just muddleheaded. At his age, and still so

the envy of many. Their families were well matched, and their affection had seemed deep. Even

day their youngest daughter disappeared more than

long

glanced at Raymond. "We're feeling

up far from home yet had somehow remained within his watch. For

"That's why I came clean on

If anyone's to handle this, it's

laugh. "Let me begin

to linger on the subject, James followed her lead.

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 me if you need

“Okay.”

She smiled gently.