Chapter 96
Everyone was responsible for the project, so Henry called the whole team to the lounge for snacks. Sydney understood the value of being part of the group, so she went along.
She hadn’t expected Charlotte to pull her aside the moment she arrived. “Syd, are you alright after last night? The way Mr. Sterling talks… He doesn’t mean anything by it. That’s just how he is. Don’t take it personally.”
“I’m fine.” Sydney was caught off guard and couldn’t quite read her tone. “Thanks for the snacks.” Julian had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. So why was Charlotte being so friendly?
“No need to be so formal.” Charlotte smiled, then turned to the three men from the Medicine team and added lightly, “Don’t underestimate Syd just because she’s a woman. I expect full cooperation from everyone.”
Sydney lowered her voice. “Ms. Lindstrom, you don’t need to treat me like a kid sister. Whatever you think is going on between me and Mr. Sterling–it’s not like that.”
Charlotte’s smile deepened. “Oh? Then what kind of relationship is it?”
She didn’t wait for an answer before continuing, “Still, I think he cares about you. Like family, maybe.”
She had never seen that dazed look on his face before. Not until that night.
Before Sydney could reply, Charlotte handed her a slice of cake with an open, easy expression. “Whatever’s going on with Mr. Sterling, I think you and I get along just fine.”
Sydney accepted it. “Thanks.”
Charlotte clearly held sway at Sterling Corp.
One should show courtesy where it was due.
Toward the end of the workday, a receptionist popped her head in and called teasingly, “Team Lead Wilson, your husband’s here to pick you up.”
“My husband?”
“Yeap Says his name’s Caleb ”
Sydney blinked, caught off guard by whatever stunt Cal was pulling
“Tell lum to wait. I’ll be down after I finish up,” she instucted
Once she wrapped up her tasks, she stepped into the loge
Caleb sat on the sole in a sleek gray three piece suit, cand composed, speaking into his phone.
When he noticed her, he glanced up, softened his expression, said something into the receiver, and ended the call before standing to greet her
“All done for the day?” His tone was as gentle and composed as ever. It was as if that tense, confrontational
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Chapter 96
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night between them had never happened.
Sydney avoided his eyes. “Why are you here?”
“As your husband, do I need a reason to pick you up?” Caleb took her bag without asking and added, “I wrongly accused you. I owe you an apology.”
Sydney hesitated, then looked up at him. “Honestly, whether you apologize or not doesn’t change anything.
There was nothing between them anymore.
“Still upset?” As they walked toward the elevators, Caleb pressed the button, slipped an arm around her shoulders, and leaned close to coax her. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have blamed you without knowing the truth. Can’t you let it go?”
The elevator doors opened before he could finish.
Sydney instinctively stepped away and met a pair of dark, unreadable eyes.
It was Julian. A flicker of mockery passed over his face before he gave a soft, dry laugh. “Ms. Wilson getting picked up from work like a kindergartner?”
She hadn’t expected anything civil from him.
Caleb was unbothered. He simply smiled and glanced at Charlotte, who stood beside Julian.
“Once you fall for someone, Mr. Sterling, you’ll understand.” His tone was light and teasing.
He and Sydney stepped into the elevator. Even the usually composed Charlotte flushed slightly.
She lowered her head, only to hear Julian say in a low voice, “Then why don’t you go pick your sweetheart up sometime?”
Chapter 97
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