Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Sydney watched Caleb’s entitled demeanor and couldn’t help but chuckle. How had she never noticed his hypocrisy before?
With only four days until the divorce was final, she lacked the energy to argue. She switched to “deal with the Sterling family” mode, polite but distant, and said earnestly, “Yes, don’t overthink it. Marcus and I are nothing more than friends.”
It was a line from a well–rehearsed script. She had learned it well.
Caleb’s eyes softened. He ruffled her hair gently, cooing like a parent, “I trust you, of course.”
For years, that had been his way to comfort her. When she had meltdowns with Julian and no one else defended her, Caleb always stepped in.
She was still figuring out how to escape politely as she started the car. Before she could think further, her phone rang. Marcus‘ name appeared on the screen. The call connected through the car’s Bluetooth.
“Syd, dinner at the usual place. Can you make it by seven?”
Relief washed over her. She agreed immediately. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
Hearing her quick response, Marcus teased warmly, “You can bring someone, too. Tiffany’s off tonight. If she’s free, bring her along.”
Just then, Caleb spoke softly. “Mr. Shepard, I’ll go with her.”
Marcus, familiar with Caleb, caught the cool formality in his tone but replied with hospitality, “Of course you’re welcome.”
Sydney quietly asked Caleb, “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Can’t I?” A faint frown crossed Caleb’s face. “Worried you’ll feel uncomfortable with your senior around?”
Men understood men. Marcus‘ look at her earlier in the parking lot had never been innocent.
Sydney played naive and hopeful, masking her chill with a smirk. “I’m just worried about you.”
Caleb shrugged. “What would bother me?”
She dropped the subject and drove straight to the dinner
When they arrived, Marcus and the others were already inside the private room. The moment Sydney pushed open the door, the room fell silent, not because of her arrival but because Caleb stood quietly at her side, a silent claim.
Even Penelope froze. She had called earlier to check Caleb’s availability. He said he wasn’t tree. Yet here he
was.
Caleb’s brow furrowed as he watched Sydney enter. “Why didn’t you say this was dinner with your coworkers?”
Sydney kept her expression calm. “Since Marcus and I are nothing, yes, this is just a group dinner with my colleagues.”
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Chapter 69
+15 BONUS
No hint of guilt showed.
A slower coworker piped up, “Dr. Wilson, so you know Penny’s boyfriend?”
“No.” Sydney caught the anger flicker in Penelope’s eyes. She answered coolly, tone measured, “He’s my-
“He’s a friend of Julian. Sydney is Caleb’s friend’s sister Penelope cut in smoothly, wrapping her arm around Caleb’s with a demure smile. “Right, Caleb?”
Caleb paused. He said nothing and instinctively moved slightly away from Sydney.
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Marcus, seated at the head of the table, beckoned Sydney with a wave. “Syd, come sit. I saved you a place.”
Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Sydney watched Caleb’s entitled demeanor and couldn’t help but chuckle. How had she never noticed his hypocrisy before?
With only four days until the divorce was final, she lacked the energy to argue. She switched to “deal with the Sterling family” mode, polite but distant, and said earnestly, “Yes, don’t overthink it. Marcus and I are nothing more than friends.”
It was a line from a well–rehearsed script. She had learned it well.
Caleb’s eyes softened. He ruffled her hair gently, cooing like a parent, “I trust you, of course.”
For years, that had been his way to comfort her. When she had meltdowns with Julian and no one else defended her, Caleb always stepped in.
She was still figuring out how to escape politely as she started the car. Before she could think further, her phone rang. Marcus‘ name appeared on the screen. The call connected through the car’s Bluetooth.
“Syd, dinner at the usual place. Can you make it by seven?”
Relief washed over her. She agreed immediately. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
Hearing her quick response, Marcus teased warmly, “You can bring someone, too. Tiffany’s off tonight. If she’s free, bring her along.”
Just then, Caleb spoke softly. “Mr. Shepard, I’ll go with her.”
Marcus, familiar with Caleb, caught the cool formality in his tone but replied with hospitality, “Of course you’re welcome.”
Sydney quietly asked Caleb, “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Can’t I?” A faint frown crossed Caleb’s face. “Worried you’ll feel uncomfortable with your senior around?”
Men understood men. Marcus‘ look at her earlier in the parking lot had never been innocent.
Sydney played naive and hopeful, masking her chill with a smirk. “I’m just worried about you.”
Caleb shrugged. “What would bother me?”
She dropped the subject and drove straight to the dinner
When they arrived, Marcus and the others were already inside the private room. The moment Sydney pushed open the door, the room fell silent, not because of her arrival but because Caleb stood quietly at her side, a silent claim.
Even Penelope froze. She had called earlier to check Cale’s availability. He said he wasn’t free. Yet here he
was.
Caleb’s brow furrowed as he watched Sydney enter. “Why didn’t you say this was dinner with your coworkers?”
Sydney kept her expression calm. “Since Marcus and I ag nothing, yes, this is just a group dinner with my colleagues.”
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