Chapter 40
“Get your mistress and all the items you brought out of here. Now!” Alan thundered as he glanced toward the courtyard, his mustache bristling, eyes blazing with fury. “Don’t think you can buy me off with petty favors.”
Once a teacher, always a mentor. Sydney was like a daughter to him. If he gave in now, it wouldn’t stop with her. Eliana
would come after him as well.
“Dr. Conton, whatever terms you set, we’ll accept.” Penelope stepped forward and tucked her hair behind her ear, her
tone soft and persuasive. “Right, Caleb?”
Alan fell silent, considering what herbs might erase the sight of them from his mind.
Caleb addressed him with forced respect. “Dr. Conton, Penelope’s right. We came here in good faith.
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Alan heard the politeness but felt the heat of anger simmering beneath it. None of this felt fair to Sydney.
“You’ll accept any condition?” he asked.
“Of course,” Penelope said without hesitation.
As a member of the powerful Hampton family, she believed Caleb would back her no matter what she promised.
Alan stood and straightened his lapel. “Then go apologize to Sydney. Once she accepts, you’re welcome to return.”
“What did you say?” Penelope snapped, her cheeks flushed with fury.
Sydney’s words at the door still echoed in her ears. She turned to Alan, voice low and sharp. “Did Sydney say something
about me? You can’t believe anything she says-”
“That’s enough, Penelope,” Caleb cut in gently. “Dr. Conton, thank you for your time. We’ll take our leave.”
Penelope followed him out, reluctant and fuming. Once they were in the car with the doors shut, she muttered, “This is
all Sydney’s doing. She’s always hated me. How else would she just happen to leave right before we arrived?”
“Is it really her who hates you, or do you hate her?” Caleb’s voice was calm, but cold.
Penelope gripped the edge of her coat, while her eyes welled up with tears.
“Why do you always take her side?” she demanded, her voice cracking. “You trust her no matter what.”
“Because evidence matters,” he said with a sigh. “Even the police need proof. And right now, what proof do we have?”
“Does there need to be proof?” She sobbed, convinced. “She’s always been cold to me. She just happens to visit Dr.
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Chapter 40
Conton before us, and she’s his student-”
He interrupted her firmly, “If police handled cases like you do, how many innocent people would be punished?”
Penelope opened her mouth but couldn’t come up with a response.
Caleb rubbed his temples, exhausted. “Maybe medicine’s not for you. Try screenwriting instead.”
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A memory of Sydney surfaced–her quiet focus, the way she moved through her routines without complaint or drama.
Feeling something shift inside him, Caleb turned to the window. “Jack, pull over.”
He stepped out and entered a nearby dessert shop. A few minutes later, he returned with a strawberry cake.
Penelope watched him, her anger cooling. She reached for the box. “Since you brought cake, I’ll forgive what you said…”
He opened the container and placed it into her hand. “It’s for Sydney.”
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