Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel 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 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?"

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?"

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