Chapter 574: Once Doormat Now Untouchable
---- Chapter 574 Late at night, Julian finally noticed that Sydney's breathing beside him had evened out. He released a silent breath of relief. He waited a little longer, until she had fallen into a deep sleep, then carefully lifted the blanket and slipped out of bed. Back in the study, Julian stood on the balcony for a long while before taking out his phone and calling Elliot. "Has Caleb been in contact with anyone unusual recently?" His instincts told him that this matter could not be separated from Caleb.
Yet based on what Julian knew, Caleb was a man with two faces, but not the kind who committed outright evil. Poisoning someone did not align with his usual methods. In the early years, the Sterling and Hampton families had been evenly matched. Now the Sterlings held the upper hand, but both sides were long accustomed to watching each other's movements closely. Elliot replied quickly, "No. Just ordinary business contacts." "No?" Julian's brow twitched slightly. The suspicion in his chest did not ease. "Have people keep watching him." ---- At Seraph Villa...
Today should have been the day Sydney came to treat Florence. Early that morning, however, Sydney had called to say she could not make it. After learning that Eliana had fallen ill, Florence understood and kept reminding her to take care of her own health. Even so, after hanging up, Florence still felt a lingering disappointment She had hoped to keep Sydney for a meal and had even instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes Sydney liked. Diana came downstairs. Seeing her mother lost in thought, walked over. "What's wrong?
Sydney can't come today?" The night before, Raymond had mentioned that Eliana had been poisoned. Diana had planned to invite Ewan over, only to learn later that Julian had already taken him to Sterling Corp.'s research institute. Julian was meticulous when it came to Sydney. Florence was long used to her eldest daughter knowing everything. "Yes. Something happened on Eliana's side." Florence had heard from Raymond about Sydney's relationship with Alan and Eliana. Over the years, she had relied heavily on that couple.
If Sydney truly was her Vee, she would get on her ---- knees and thank them without hesitation. Diana accepted the warm water handed to her by a servant and drank more than half before speaking calmly. "Don't rush. Once the test results are out, everything will fall into place." She had rushed back the night before last, intending to see Sydney immediately. But after returning home and learning from James that samples had already been taken for a patemity test, she forced herself to calm down and suppressed the urge to confront Sydney right away.
At times like this, she reminded herself, patience mattered most. She could not frighten the sister she had searched for all these years. She needed to be careful and thorough. She wanted her long- lost sister to return to the Hutton family openly, with dignity intact. Florence was about to nod when a maid hurried in from the courtyard. "Madam, Miss, someone from the Hampton family is here." Diana set down her glass. "Who?" "Mr. Hampton's mother, Adeline." ---- Florence and Diana frowned almost in unison. The Hutton family had little contact with the Hampton family, limited to a few banquets.
Why would Adeline suddenly appear at Seraph Villa? Before Diana could think further, Adeline entered the foyer with the Hampton family's housekeeper, both carrying numerous gifts. Upon seeing the Hutton mother and daughter seated in the reception room, Adeline's face lit up. "Madam Hutton, Miss Hutton, | came uninvited. | hope I'm not disturbing you." After so many years in high society, Adeline knew how to speak graciously.
She smiled at Florence and continued, "But | do have some wonderful news, and | wanted to hear your thoughts, as well as Miss Hutton's." She knew that in matters of importance, the true decision-maker in the Hutton family was Diana. She also firmly believed that the Hutton family had no reason to refuse this marriage. Penelope already had a child in tow and was now pregnant with another Hampton offspring. Marrying back into the Hampton family was the best possible outcome. Florence's expression toward outsiders remained cool.
"What happy news?" ---- "Caleb has been single all this time, and he has always shared a bond with your family's youngest daughter." Adeline's smile widened. Confidence colored her expression, though she still asked with care. "So | was thinking, could we bring these two. children together?" Florence frowned and was about to respond when Diana cut in calmly. "It sounds fine. As long as she agrees herself, | have no objections." Florence turned to her in confusion. Had she not heard Adeline specify the youngest daughter? Sydney had only just severed ties with the Hampton family.
As Florence remained puzzled, Diana offered a meaningful smile. "I've also heard quite a bit about Mr. Hampton's bond with Penelope." Adeline caught a trace of mockery in her tone. But that made no sense. Penelope was her biological sister. What was there to mock? Meanwhile, Florence understood Diana's intent. She was going along with it to vent some anger on Sydney's behalf. Florence agreed entirely and chose not to intervene. Whether Sydney was her daughter or not, she wanted to teach this family a lesson.
They had bullied a young woman with no ---- family backing and had even brazenly brought a mistress into. their home. Now Adeline could taste what it meant to lift a stone only to smash her own foot. Penelope had just woken up. As soon as she stepped out of her room, she heard Adeline's voice downstairs in the reception room. She hurried down at once. "Mom, Diana." Then she saw Adeline. After a brief hesitation, unsure how to address her, she settled for a polite smile. Adeline took hold of her wrist, her smile warm and expectant." Your elder sister said this requires your personal consent.
Since you're here, I'll ask you directly. Are you willing to marry back into our Hampton family?" |..." Penelope knew this was her best chance. If she missed it, and Eric Wolfen came again to propose while fully exposing the child in her womb, she would become a pariah. Even the title of the Hutton family's youngest daughter would not save her reputation. She glanced at Diana, then lowered her gaze and nodded, her manner shy, almost bashful. "I'm willing."