Chapter 73
Aside from Sydney, had there been other women in Caleb’s life too?
Caleb’s tall frame stilled. That instinctive wariness of his took over, stopping him mid–motion. His eyes darkened, though his voice remained even. “Your nickname. Did you forget it?”
“Ah?” Penelope hesitated. Panic flickered in her eyes, before she forced herself to stay composed. “Of course not. It’s just… Well, it’s been so long since anyone called me that. I didn’t react right away.”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s true.” Her heart pounded in her chest, her eyes slowly turning red. “After my parents died, who else would’ve called me that? Cal, it’s been 20 years. Isn’t it normal if I forgot?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “You’re really going to question me over that?”
“How could I? Don’t overthink it.” Caleb pushed down his unease and gently wiped her tears, his tone soft. ” It’s late. Go help Timmy get ready for bed.”
Seeing his expression return to normal, Penelope finally relaxed. “What about you?”
“I’ve got some work to finish. I’ll sleep after.” Caleb tucked the pendant into his pocket. “The clasp broke
just now. I’ll have Gordon take it to the jeweler tomorrow. Once it’s fixed, I’ll return it to you.”
He took the fruit platter from her and headed back to his study. As soon as the door closed behind him, he made a call.
The warmth had drained from his face. His voice was cool, edged with steel. “Gordon, take a team to Brimcrest. I want every detail of Penny’s background confirmed. Leave nothing out.
“Right away,” Gordon said, then hesitated. “But why now? After all these years? Did something feel off?”
“I’m not sure,” Caleb replied. “Just check.”
He hoped he was only imagining things.
On the other end of the earlier call, Tiffany had heard that last line clearly. Her brows drew together. She never would’ve guessed that an elegant and refined man like Caleb could be such a shameless scumbag
She turned to Sydney, frowning. “Why didn’t you just take the offer and go through with it?”
“It would’ve made everything messier.” Sydney tossed the phone aside and curled up on the couch. “I went to the Hampton residence around noon. His mom said the divorce papers will be ready in four days, tops, There’s no reason to involve him anymore.”
She didn’t want to invite any more uncertainty. Things were just fine the way they were.
The next day, Sydney met Marcus at the clinic, and they headed to Sterling Corp. together. She had passed by the building countless times over the years but had never stepped inside. She used to go out of her way to
avoid it.
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Chapter 73
+15 BONUS
If not for that unexpected encounter in Storia, she might have wished never to face Julian again.
“Sydney?” Marcus‘ voice pulled her back.
She had zoned out after getting out of the car.
He smiled. “What are you thinking about?”
She shook her head, brushing the thought away. “Nothing. I just never imagined I’d get the chance to work on a project this big.”
This cancer drug development project was a top–priority national health initiative for the next three years. If they succeeded, maybe she could finally be free.
When they arrived, the rest of the research team had already gathered in the conference room.
Scientists weren’t the type for small talk. Real collaboration would happen in the lab. With nothing to discuss yet, introductions were brief. Someone soon led sydney and the others to get familiar with the lab.
On the Medicine Team, besides Sydney and Marcus, there were three other men, all in their late thirties or early forties.
“Unbelievable,” one of them muttered, standing in the corner. “Pushing forty, and now I’m playing assistant to some girl in her twenties.”
“Oh? You unhappy about it?”
“Yeah. I am.”
“Same here.”
“You’re not?”
“What can we do? Maybe she’s got connections. These days, it’s way easier for women to climb the ladder.”
Marcus‘ face turned cold. He opened his mouth to speak but Sydney caught his arm and stopped him.
“I don’t care,” she said calmly. “Marc, the only way I can shut them up is by developing something they’ll respect,”
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