The instant Penelope spoke , Sydney's spine went rigid . If she and Julian had a proper , open , clean relationship , she could have admitted it without fear . Even if someone guessed , there would be no shame . However , they did not . They were lovers , in the rawest , filthiest sense . If anyone discovered it , the scorn would fall solely on her . Julian would escape unscathed , and the contempt would be hers alone .
They would say she had clung to him ten years ago under the excuse of being his " little sister , " and now , desperate to attach herself to the Sterling family , she had degraded herself into his mistress . " Penelope ! " Caleb's face turned cold , and he said sharply , " What the hell are you thinking ? Syd and Jules are brother and sister . " Back then , Sydney had been willing to burn every bridge with Julian just to marry Caleb . To him , her loyalties had always been crystal clear . Naturally , he had never suspected anything between her and Julian . Bruce and the others frowned .
" Cal , maybe you should send her home ? She's killing the mood . " Everyone knew what Sydney was to Julian . As for Penelope , what was she ? An outsider , a mistress , daring to wag her tongue here ? Caleb glanced at the time , noted it was still early , and gave a terse nod toward Penelope . " Let's go . " Sydney blinked , startled . He was not defending Penelope the way he used to . Without waiting for her to protest , Caleb gripped her arm and marched her toward the elevator . Humiliation flared in Penelope . " What did I say that was wrong ? Look at the lipstick Sydney's wearing .
It's the exact same shade Julian had on his lips ! " It was not just the lipstick . Everything about Julian and Sydney was off . Brother and sister ? Only thick - headed men could believe it . What kind of " sister " came out of her " brother's " apartment with ears burning red ? " Enough ! " Caleb's patience snapped . He shoved her hard against the side of the car , his voice a furious grind of teeth . " You insisted on tagging along , so I let you . Now get lost. " " Cal , do you really find me so unbearable now ?
" Just yesterday , he had flung divorce papers in her face and told her he and Sydney were done . But she did not believe him . She had followed today just to see for herself . Caleb did not just feel disgust but also loathing . He yanked open the car door and shoved her inside , his tone steely . " Jack , drive her home . Now . " Penelope fumbled for the handle . The door was locked tight . In a panic , she rolled down the window and seized his sleeve . " Then when will you take me to get our marriage certificate ? " Caleb shook her hand off like filth , dusting his sleeve clean .
" I've already sent someone to handle it . Tomorrow , the certificate will be delivered . " 1/2 " Caleb ... " Her eyes narrowed , and her voice carried her suspicion . " You're lying to me , aren't you? The divorce certificate was fake , wasn't it ? " He could throw divorce papers at her , fine . But if he were truly marrying her , why would he not take her to the courthouse himself ? Why send someone else ? Unless it had all been a lie . She was not like Sydney . She was not so easy to fool . A chill like a blade slid into Caleb's gaze . His rage flared .
He wrenched the car door open again , grabbed her by the throat , and squeezed until her breath broke into gasps . " Penelope , don't you dare push me . You should thank God I even bother lying to you . But if you force me ... " he snarled sharply . The last of his patience burned away . His eyes narrowed to a deadly sliver . Ignoring her frantic struggles , he lifted his gaze to the rearview mirror . " Jack . Lock her in the suburban villa . Cut off water and food . " Penelope's eyes bulged wide . Terror shot down her spine . " What are you doing ... " " You're smart . Figure it out .
" He released her and patted her cheek in a parody of gentleness . His voice was low , deadly , like a whisper from hell . " I don't have the energy to coddle you anymore . Sit in that basement and think . Decide if you want to tell me where Precious is . No food , no water . Human body lasts what ? Seven days ? " His tone softened almost to a caress . " Seven days . If you don't figure it out , then die . " The last word was barely breathed , but it coated her skin in ice . For the first time , real fear clawed at Penelope . Her whole body trembled .
She realized , with dawning horror , that this man might be colder , crueler , and more terrifying than the infamous Julian . " You'll kill me ? " she choked . " And if I die , aren't you afraid you'll never find her ? " His gaze turned hard and merciless . " Penelope , that's the second time you've tried to threaten me . 2/2