Chapter 46
For the sake of her reputation, Eloise had been left with no choice but to promise she’d send Victor abroad for six years.
Yet after all the drama, Sydney’s life had only gotten harder. Even so, she hadn’t felt like she had lost anything. Compared to the constant fear of sleeping next to a pervert, everything else felt insignificant.
“You fucking-” Victor snarled, then suddenly grinned, as if struck by a thought. “Don’t tell me you stare at my nudes when you can’t sleep. What’s the matter? Caleb can’t satisfy you?”
The vulgarity turned Sydney’s stomach. She had clearly underestimated just how shameless Victor could be.
With a cold laugh, she shot back, “Who cares about a sexually underdeveloped boy like you?”
Then she turned on her heel and walked away.
Victor always preyed on the weak and backed down in the face of strength. The more afraid she was, the harder he latched on. But when she stood her ground, he hesitated. Ever since the incident six years ago, he harbored a faint fear of her. Still, his entitled arrogance wouldn’t let go. If he couldn’t have her, he’d try to break her.
He remembered the softness of her palm from when he slapped her before. The thought stirred something in him. He grabbed her wrist and leered. “Did you even look at me down there?”
His face lit up with smug satisfaction, as if he enjoyed being degraded.
A wave of revulsion swept over Sydney. Goosebumps rose on her skin as she fought to break free. “Let go!”
Just then, Elliot’s voice rang out from the living room. “Mr. Sterling, you’re back!”
Sydney froze.
“Oh damn it. Why the hell is he here?” Victor muttered under his breath, instinctively releasing her. He growled a warning. “Don’t let him find out!”
“Depends on my mood.” Sydney threw over her shoulder. She pulled out a packet of cotton alcohol pads, wiped her wrist, and forced herself forward.
The living room buzzed with even more energy than before. When Sydney first walked in, the mood had been entirely different. Now, Julian had entered with his overwhelming presence. He wore a tailored black dress shirt, the fit sharp and precise, the matching trousers sculpting his long legs. He handed his blazer to the butler, every motion elegant, reserved, and detached,
Victor brushed past her and headed straight for Julian, grinning. “Cuz, you’re back? If I’d known you had time, I
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Chapter 46
would’ve picked you up myself.”
“Don’t bother,” Julian said, his dark eyes calm and unreadable. “I’m germophobic.”
“Oh… Uh…” Victor’s grin wavered. “It’s a new car. Picked it up yesterday. No one’s sat in it yet.”
Across the room, Fiona spotted Sydney and beckoned her over.
“Aunt Fiona.” Sydney approached, frowning at the faint scent of smoke.
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Julian stubbed out a half–smoked cigarette in the ashtray with deliberate precision, then gave Victor a flat look. “I said
you’re filthy.”
A few of the younger relatives stifled laughter. Of course Victor was filthy–he’d been chasing girls since middle school.
But as Eloise’s favorite grandson, no one else dared say it out loud. Only Julian could get away with it, and he even said it
with a smile.
“Julian, come on. I was joking. Look, our cousins are laughing at me.‘
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Julian gave him nothing. Calm and almost detached, he replied, “Who said I’m joking?”
The quiet laughter picked up again. And somehow, their usually untouchable elder cousin was the one stirring it.
“What’s so funny?” a sharp, commanding voice called out from the elevator.
Everyone stilled. Sydney and a few others murmured under their breath, “Grandma.”
Everyone–except Julian. He hadn’t spoken to Eloise in years. He never came to family dinners or greeted her, not even
out of formality.
Eloise scanned the room before settling her gaze on Sydney. “Where’s Caleb? Is he unavailable again today?”
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