Caleb: [Did the Sterlings give you a hard time today?]
Sydney tugged at her lips, her mood turning sour. She didn’t even have the will to pick up her phone and reply.
She had already known Caleb wouldn’t come when she called him outside the estate. Still, reading his message now left
her disappointed.
He hadn’t forgotten. He knew that if he didn’t show up, the Sterling family would punish her. And yet, he still didn’t
come.
A cold wind swept through the air. Snowflakes carried on its edge stabbed into her lungs.
Even breathing hurt. She forced herself to stay composed. As she bent to retrieve her phone, a shadow fell over her- faster than she could reach. He snatched the phone, lifted her into his arms steadily, and carried her out into the night.
“Julian!” she shouted.
The presence was too familiar to doubt.
“Put me down!” she demanded.
He gave a low snicker. His voice held no warmth. “I thought you referred to me as Mr. Sterling?”
“F–Fine,” she stammered. “Mr. Sterling, please put me down.”
“You still want to kneel?” he asked coldly.
She had knelt long enough. But Eloise likely wasn’t finished. She would take things further.
Jason followed, clearly torn. “Mr. Sterling, you can leave, but Ms. Wilson must stay.‘
“Go ask her whose name is still on her legal records.” Julian didn’t break stride. His steps were sharp, purposeful. “If anyone defies me again, I swear, the next one fed to the sharks will be Victor.”
Her memory jolted. Years ago, when Julian brought her to live with him, he’d filed for guardianship and added her to his legal address. Even after she got married and tried to change it, he hadn’t bothered with the paperwork–or given her
access to the documents.
Sydney was not exactly easygoing either. After a few failed attempts, she let it drop. If he hadn’t brought it up now, she might have forgotten completely that, on paper, she still belonged to him.
Jason relayed Julian’s words without change.
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Chapter 48
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Victor, who had never expected to be dragged into this, flinched. He turned to Eloise and blurted without thought, “Grandma, didn’t Julian say ages ago he was done with Sydney? What’s going on now?”
Eloise let out a dry, mocking laugh. “Who could possibly guess what that man’s thinking? Now that his status is untouchable, don’t you think it’s natural he’d get protective every now and then?”
“But he shouldn’t disrespect you like this.”
“Do you even know which family name rules Jouleston now?”
“Of course. It’s still Sterling,” Victor said carelessly.
Eloise’s tone dropped. “Not just Sterling. It’s Julian Sterling.”
She wanted to see how long he could keep playing the untouchable ruler.
She glared at Victor warningly. “Don’t do anything stupid because of that girl. If you bring Julian’s wrath down on
yourself, he has more than enough ways to ruin you.”
“I already took a hard fall because of her,” he grumbled.
“He doesn’t commit to anyone. He won’t protect her for long.” Her voice turned colder. “Maybe he’ll cut ties completely again. Then you’ll regret not getting rid of Sydney sooner.”
Outside the estate, a black Bentley with the plate “JA99999” pulled to a stop.
Snow swirled around them in heavy gusts.
Julian strode forward, still carrying Sydney. Elliot followed with a large black umbrella. Snow soaked half of Julian’s
shoulder, but not a flake touched her.
The driver stepped out and opened the door. “Sir. Miss.”
After a disorienting moment, Sydney found her footing. Her stomach still churned like she’d just stepped off a ride. She
steadied herself and greeted, “Hey, Peter,”
Julian’s brow twitched. His voice was icy. “Get in the car.”
“I’ll just take a taxi…” She didn’t finish.
A limited–edition Maybach slid up beside them, sleek and silent.
Caleb stepped out, holding an umbrella, Calm and composed as always, he nodded briefly at Julian, then looked to Sydney. His voice was soft, unreadable. “Syd, I came to pick you up.”
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Chapter 49
