Once doormat Now Untouchable Novel

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Chapter 650

Sydney froze, uncertain how to respond.

Florence had never meant to conceal the truth. She had only

been considering how to explain it gently. She had not expected

Raymond to state it so bluntly.

Florence quickly clasped Sydney's hand. "Sydney, we truly didn't

know about this. My father-in-law has already stripped him of all

his positions and sent him back to Brimcrest.”

Sydney felt the warmth of Florence's palm. There was no

perfunctory tone and no attempt at an excuse, only sincerity.

The faint ache in her chest eased. After all, she was not close to

Theodore. It was hardly surprising that he favored the daughter

he had raised for more than 20 years.

She offered a small smile, smoothing things over out of

courtesy rather than conviction. "Mr. Hutton has shared a father-

daughter bond with Megan for many years. A moment of

softheartedness is understandable."

There was no need to make Florence and the others

uncomfortable. Nor did she have the standing, on Hutton family

ground, to condemn a member of their family in front of them.

No matter how close she felt to Florence and her offspring, she

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knew exactly who belonged to the family and who did not.

Florence heard the restraint in her words and felt her chest

tighten. Her breathing grew uneven as she tightened her grip on

Sydney's hand. "He's just muddleheaded. At his age, and still so

confused. My father-in-law was already being lenient by only

stripping his positions."

Years ago, she and Theodore had been the envy of many. Their

families were well matched, and their affection had seemed

deep. Even now, outsiders regarded them as a model couple.

Only Florence knew their marriage had changed the day their

youngest daughter disappeared more than 20 years ago.

Theodore's constant protection of Megan had long remained a

thorn in her heart.

Beside them, James glanced at Raymond. "We're feeling guilty.

Aren't you?"

Raymond looked at the sister who had grown up far from home

yet had somehow remained within his watch. For once, he

seemed slightly awkward.

He licked his lips and forced a lighter tone. "That's why | came

clean on my own. | was hoping for leniency.”

“Ray, don't tease me. If anyone's to handle this, it's the police."

Sydney gave a soft laugh. "Let me begin your mother's treatment.

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Sensing she did not want to linger on the subject, James

followed her lead. "I'll walk you upstairs.”

Florence could manage simple movements now, though she still

needed support. After helping her lie down on the acupuncture

bed, James turned to Sydney. "Thank you. I'll wait outside. Call

me if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

She smiled gently.

James stepped out.

Raymond was already waiting by the door.

As James closed it behind him, his expression lost its usual

warmth. "You really just blurted it out like that. What if she

couldn't handle it?”

"Lasked Julian." Raymond had already called him on the way

over.

Julian had chosen not to tell Sydney directly, precisely to

preserve the Huttons' dignity.

“Besides, if it had been Mom or Diana, she might not have taken

it well," Raymond said with a dry, mocking laugh. “But since it's

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Theodore, she doesn't care. She's not close to him anyway."