Once doormat Now Untouchable Novel

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Chapter 594

Hampton Corp. was under Caleb's control. The moment he

stepped outside its doors, he would have to act in accordance

with the Sterlings' wishes.

Caleb was a smart man. He understood immediately that this

was Julian's message, delivered through the mouth of a

subordinate.

After only a few seconds of hesitation, he walked to the safe,

took out the antidote, and tossed it toward Julian

"Does Syd know that the righteous, upright ‘good brother’ she

holds in such high regard doesn't hesitate to strike at the old, the

weak, or the sick?" His voice carried a sharp edge of mockery.

Julian caught the vial with one hand, his expression utterly

indifferent. "You're not any better."

He said nothing more. He turned and led his people out. The

priority now was to get the antidote back to the hospital. Only

then could Sydney truly breathe again.

Caleb watched Julian's retreating figure, a flicker of killing intent

flashing through his eyes. His fingers closed slowly around the

vial until his knuckles turned white.

After a brief pause, his assistant asked, "Mr. Hampton, do we

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still proceed with the port arrangements?"

"Proceed for what?" Caleb smiled self-mockingly. "So | can run

as far away as possible and avoid seeing what | can't stand?"

With the antidote gone, how could she possibly leave with him?

He could not bring himself to truly hurt her, especially now that

she was pregnant. Yet he also could not accept handing the rest

of her life to someone as ruthless as Julian.

All he could do was wait for another opportunity.

Caleb did not linger. He kept the antidote and drove straight

back to the Hampton estate.

Adeline had just finished checking the engagement gifts. When

she saw him return, her face lit up. "You've thought it through?

You're willing to go with me to propose to the Hutton family?"

Caleb ignored her question and asked instead, his tone grave, "

Where is Grandma?"

“Mother?” Adeline froze. "She should be in the backyard. The

doctor said she needs more sunlight."

"Sunlight?" Caleb echoed.

Without waiting for her reply, he strode toward the backyard.

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The estate looked nothing like the chaos he had imagined after

his grandmother's supposed poisoning. It was almost

unnervingly calm.

The housekeeper was carrying a plate of snacks toward the

backyard. When he saw Caleb, a flash of guilt crossed his face. "

Mr. Hampton, you're back.”

Caleb's unease deepened. "Where's Grandma?"

"She's waiting for you in the backyard." The housekeeper handed

him the snacks as well. "Please take these along. They're low

sugar. Your grandmother can eat them."

A chilling realization crept over Caleb. He had made a mistake,

‘one so grave it would haunt him for the rest of his life.

With every step toward the backyard, his legs grew unbearably

heavy.

The weather was beautiful. Dorothy sat in a rattan chair with her

eyes closed, basking in the sunlight. Her face looked peaceful

and serene

No matter how closely he studied her, she did not resemble

someone who had been poisoned.

Perhaps she heard his footsteps, or perhaps she sensed his

gaze. She opened her eyes and looked at her only grandson.

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“You're back?" Her voice was calm and ordinary.

At that moment, Caleb was certain. He had been deceived. His

‘own grandmother had joined hands with outsiders to trick him.

And the truly despicable one had been him alone. Only him,

clutching the medicine that could save Eliana's life and refusing

to let go.

Caleb almost laughed. He raised the vial in his hand and gave it

alight shake.

“What's in here? Chocolate beans?"

Dorothy had watched him grow up. She understood the meaning

behind his words at once.

“Are you blaming me?"

Was there something to blame? Of course there was.

From childhood to adulthood, he had studied diligently, behaved

impeccably, and practiced restraint. After taking over Hampton

Corp., he had walked on thin ice, never daring to make a single

misstep.

Just this once, he wanted to think of himself.

He had arranged everything with care. It would not affect

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Hampton Corp. It would not implicate the family. Why, then, was

it still not allowed?

“Did you listen to a single word of what | warned you before? If

you had really taken this mess to Syd, forget about you. Our

entire family would never have the nerve to face her again."

Dorothy sighed. There was no disappointment in it, only pity.

"Cal," she called softly, motioning him closer, "Relationships

can't be forced. Syd spent three years with you. That was the full

measure of your family life. As long as you stop walking down

this wrong path, when you meet again in the future, she may still

remember you kindly.”

She then asked, "Do you really need to push things until she

hates you with every fiber of her being before you feel satisfied?"

Caleb lowered his gaze. "She can hate me if she wants."

What he feared was that she might no longer feel anything for

him at all.