Charlotte didn’t quite understand what that line meant, but the atmosphere in the elevator turned awkward
in an instant.
Sydney noticed the flicker of discomfort on Caleb’s face and almost laughed. Then she looked up and met Julian’s direct, unwavering gaze.
“Ms. Wilson, seems like you’re not too busy on the project. No need for overtime?”
It was a jab without bias. He spared no one.
Every word reeked of textbook capitalism, as if he wanted everyone to work themselves into the ground.
Sydney’s smile faltered. She replied stiffly, “What’s left can be done from home.”
“Oh?” Julian tilted his head, thoughtful. “Even a hopeless romantic like you still has energy for after–hours work?”
Sydney rarely felt embarrassed, but she wanted nothing more than to throw herself down the elevator shaft right now.
Everyone probably assumed she had wanted to marry Caleb out of obsessive love.
Caleb certainly didn’t notice her discomfort. If anything, he looked pleased, chuckling softly. “Don’t tease her. She’s a shy girl.”
The elevator arrived smoothly at B1.
As the group stepped out, another elevator door opened nearby. A department director rushed out, panting, and hurried to Julian. “Mr. Sterling, there’s an urgent file that needs your signature.”
Julian immediately straightened. He took the folder, pulled a fountain pen from his suit pocket, and signed his name in fluid strokes.
Sydney recognized the handwriting. It was strong and deliberate, Julian had taught her calligraphy once, and her own writing still carried traces of his style.
She was about to look away when her gaze caught on the pen in his hand, She froze. “Mr. Sterling, why do you have that pen?”
it was a irthday gift she had given Bruce. It was a one at a kind, custom–made fountam pen. There shouldn’t have been another like it.
“He gave it to me,” Julian said casually
He raised an eyebrow, capped the post, and slipped it blote his pocket. “Said it suited me. So you’re the one who gave it to lum?”
Sydney couldn’t respond he couldn’t make sense of i
Why would Bruce think a pen with a tiny suited hulian? He didn’t seem like someone who believed in light at all
After she and Caleb lett, Charlotte’s eyes drifted to the pen still poking from Julian’s pocket. At last, she exhaled quietly
9/3
Chapter 97
+15 BONUS
Not long ago, Julian had suddenly stopped using the pen he’d carried for years. He seemed to treasure this new one, even handling the daily cleaning himself. He didn’t let anyone else touch it.
For days, Charlotte had felt uneasy. Every time she saw that pen, suspicion crept in. She had feared he might be interested in another woman. But now that she knew it had come from Sydney, it made sense. There was nothing strange about cherishing something from his sister.
Caleb took Sydney to a high–end restaurant. He had booked out the entire place. It was clearly his way of apologizing. It was meant to be sincere.
“About what happened with Timmy, I really did misunderstand you,” he said, sitting across from her after they ordered. “As for the harsh words you threw at me the other night, let’s just pretend I never heard them, alright?”
With the restaurant empty, only soft piano music lingered in the background. It felt like a scene from a romantic drama. If they were following the script, the female lead would let it go.
Sydney simply listened to the music and smiled faintly. “And what about Penelope? She accused me. You once told me to apologize to her. Shouldn’t she be the one apologizing to me now?”
23
