Chapter 592: Once Doormat Now Untouchable
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Chapter 592
To Florence, this was a matter of life and death. To Theodore, it
amounted to little more than a harmless mistake, something he
believed could be brushed aside by ignoring it.
She looked at him for a long time, long enough for her eyes to
begin to sting. Even then, she could not bring herself to speak.
All that remained was disappointment.
Raymond was about to say something, but Diana pressed a
hand to his arm and stopped him.
Wearing a faint, unreadable smile, she said, "Since that's how
you see it, what more is there for us to say?"
There was no point in continuing. She should have known long
ago that expecting a genuine explanation from Theodore was
unrealistic. Fortunately, she had never truly relied on this father
to begin with.
Megan felt that things had turned out exactly as they always did.
Once again, the Hutton siblings had no leverage over her.
Seizing the moment, she turned to Theodore and said, "By the
way, Dad, can | attend the charity gala tonight?"
“Of course you can." Diana answered even faster than Theodore
this time. "If you're not allowed to go, your father might end up
----
slapping Ray again.”
For the first time, the normally composed and dutiful eldest
daughter spoke without restraint, her words openly disrespectful.
Theodore looked helpless. "Fine. If you don't want Meg to go,
then she won't go.”
There was no chance Megan would accept that. She was about
to argue when Diana smiled instead. "She can go if she wants. It
has nothing to do with me."
Hearing this, Megan became even more certain that they had no
way to control her. A trace of smugness surfaced in her heart.
Thinking of Penelope, who was separated by only a single wall,
she tested the waters. "Then what do you plan to do about
Penelope?"
If they pushed Penelope too far, she worried about retaliation. If
there was room to negotiate, she would not mind offering a
small favor.
James answered calmly, "That's not something you need to
worry about.”
At the same time, the Hampton household buzzed with activity.
As the groom's family, they needed to demonstrate sincerity,
----
especially with the bride's family being the Huttons.
Once the engagement became official, countless eyes would
turn toward the Hampton family.
Adeline brimmed with enthusiasm, personally preparing the gift
list and checking every item herself. When she finished
calculating the total, the value had already reached seven
figures and continued to climb toward eight.
She felt a twinge of pain, but the thought of marrying a Hutton
daughter, one who also carried her grandson, made the expense
feel worthwhile.
Caleb returned to the old residence to retrieve something and
walked straight into the scene.
When Adeline saw him, she assumed he had finally come
around and hurried over. “Take a look. Should we add anything
else?"
The Hampton family could afford it. The question lay only in
willingness.
Caleb swept his gaze across the courtyard, where rows of gift
boxes filled his vision. His expression cooled. "As long as youre
happy."
His wishes had never mattered, and he had no intention of
giving in to Adeline again.
----
Adeline missed the implication entirely. “That works too. Elders
usually handle these things anyway.”
"Mm," Caleb answered absentmindedly and headed straight into
the house. He went to the collection room and took out the pair
of bracelets Dorothy had intended to give Sydney last time.
When he came back downstairs, Adeline noticed his haste. "Are
you heading out again? You're not coming to the gala with me
tonight?"
Caleb's expression tightened. He clenched the jewelry box
slightly before replying, "No."
At that moment, the assistant waiting beside the Maybach
stepped forward and whispered something to him.
Caleb froze. "Why is he here?"
“| don't know." The assistant shook his head. "The office just
called. Mr. Sterling said he wanted to see you, nothing more.
They didn't dare stop him. He's already waiting in your office.”
“Lunderstand." Caleb did not look at Adeline again. He got into
the car with his assistant. "Let's go."
The assistant hesitated. "To the company, or..."
“The company." Caleb knew Julian too well. If he avoided him
----
now, it would only deepen his suspicions.
"Yes." As another thought occurred to him, a sharp glint flashed
in Caleb's eyes. "How are the arrangements at the port?”