Once doormat Now Untouchable Novel

---- Chapter 632 The Huttons had always placed Sydney's health above everything else. After Julian spoke, no one pressed the matter further. His reasoning was sound. Florence felt reassured by his attentiveness. "You've thought it through." Agatha released a quiet breath. A simple visit was one thing. Attempting to take her granddaughter-in-law and great-granddaughter away was quite another. She glanced at the time and smiled. "It's almost lunchtime. Stay and have a simple meal with us." "Yes," Sydney said gently to Florence.

'It's been a while since we've eaten together." The words nearly brought Florence to tears. She turned her head to compose herself, then nodded quickly. "Good. Good." The rest of the Hutton family agreed at once. As everyone headed toward the dining room, Raymond and ---- Julian lagged a few steps behind Raymond got straight to the point. "Alan never said that, did he?" Julian was shameless. He would not loosen his hold on his sister for even a moment. He had been that way since childhood. It was no wonder Sydney once believed he disliked her. Julian showed no hint of guilt. He merely smiled.

"Then go ask Alan." Raymond had no intention of doing that. Alan would take Julian's side anyway. When Raymond fell silent, Julian's smile deepened. "You should thank me." "Thank you for stealing my sister?" Julian shot him a sidelong glance, pride barely concealed. " Thank me for giving you the chance to upgrade to uncle." Raymond gave a cool laugh. "Couldn't find anyone else to brag to?" He added without mercy, "You were the last person on earth to find out the baby is yours." Julian raised a brow. "You knew too?" ---- So he truly had been the last to learn. Raymond pressed the advantage.

"Not just me. My whole family knew." In truth, he had only learned on the drive over after overhearing Diana and Florence. Diana had warned him not to tell Julian first. At last, he won a round. The meal unfolded in a warm, orderly atmosphere. Julian and Agatha played gracious hosts, and the Hutton family observed every courtesy in return. After lunch, the Huttons did not linger. They worried about tiring Sydney. She was about to stand and see them out when Polly approached with a bowl of herbal medicine. "It's just the right temperature.

Drink it now." If it was too hot, she could not swallow it. If it cooled, the bitterness would only deepen Sydney glanced at the Huttons. For reasons she could not explain, the thought of their departure left her chest feeling faintly hollow. ---- A hand patted her back gently. "Drink first. I'll leave after you finish." Sydney smiled up at Diana, lifted the bowl, and drank it in one breath. The bitterness had not yet faded when a peeled mango candy appeared at her lips. Diana's gaze softened.

"For the aftertaste." "Thank you, Diana." Sweet and tart flavors spread across her tongue and chased away the lingering bitterness. Diana watched her squint at the sweetness and smiled. "All right. | should go. Head upstairs and take a nap." The others had already stepped into the front yard. Sydney started to rise. "I'll walk you out." "No." Diana rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'll come again when I'm free." Perhaps because Diana had treated her so kindly of late, Sydney asked before she could stop herself, "When will you be free?" Regret followed at once. Diana laughed softly.

"When do you want me to be?" ---- Her position kept her busy. Today must already have required careful planning Sydney considered for a moment. "Then come whenever you're free." "Deal." Diana nodded briskly. A rare hint of humor crossed her face. "| might show up at any time." Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Julian watched Sydney smile at Diana with open contentment. His own lips curved in response. She had always envied children who grew up surrounded by family. Now, in her own way, she finally had one.

Beside him, Raymond muttered, "So how does it feel to be a dad?" Julian withdrew his gaze and looked at him with meaning. "You can't put it into words. You only understand when it's your own." Raymond did not even have a girlfriend. For him, fatherhood existed only in theory. A faint smile tugged at Raymond's mouth. "Really? All | know is that you two aren't legally married yet. Fathers can be replaced. Uncles can't."