Chapter 167: Once Doormat Now Untouchable

Chapter 167 With Tiffany still running a fever , Sydney stayed home and worked remotely instead of going to the lab . By noon the next day , Tiffany's fever had finally subsided . Only then did Sydney leave for work . The moment she opened her door , she saw Julian waiting by the elevator . He stood tall , and the sunlight streaming through the glass behind him softened some of his sharp edges . At the sound of her footsteps , he glanced her way . " Going to the clinic ? " " The lab . " She closed the door behind her .

The clinic had begun its New Year break , leaving her free to focus entirely on the research project . They went downstairs together. Ever since the night before last , a faint nervousness clung to her whenever she was near him . They had once been estranged like siblings , constantly at odds . Now , she was his mistress . The leap between those roles was staggering . When they stepped out of the elevator , Sydney's shoulders eased slightly . She headed toward her car , only to stop cold when she saw the rear tire completely flat . It must have been punctured somewhere along the way.

She checked the time . There was no way to fix it and still make the afternoon's important research meeting . A Bentley rolled up , and the back window slid down to reveal Julian's sharp , flawless features . " Get in . " Sydney hesitated . She could still call a cab and make it in time . But Julian's cool voice cut in , " We signed a contract . " She remembered the clause that bound her to him at his beck and call . With no choice , she opened the door and slid inside . " I know . I just need time to adjust . " ' Brother ... Mistress ... ' She needed space to bridge the two .

Julian studied the way she shrank from him . " Adjust to what ? " " Adjusting to being a mistress . " He held out his hand . " Give me your hand . " After a pause , she placed hers in his , holding herself rigid . Julian frowned faintly . " Did you hold Caleb's hand like this ? I'm holding your hand , not chopping it off . What's with the nerves ? " She faltered and lowered her head . She and Caleb had never held hands this way . At events , she had always taken his arm , never palm to palm . The last time she had held hands with a man , it had been Julian . But then , she had been a child .

He had walked her everywhere , her hand firmly in his . He had been the brother , she the little sister . Unlike now . After all these years , it was natural to be nervous . She said nothing , but he could feel the soft hand 1/2 in his palm slowly , haltingly relaxing . She was adjusting to their new reality . As Julian toyed with her fingers , his gaze drifted to the empty space beside them , wide enough for two more . He smirked faintly before he snapped his wrist sharply . Sydney , still trying not to tense , was yanked forward and collided with him . " Still nervous ?

" He lifted her chin , his tone a blend of warning and promise . " I don't have much patience . Keep this up , and I won't hesitate to skip straight to the end . " 2/2