Chapter 186 Adeline had never imagined that her own son would grow so attached to Sydney. What she had believed was a flawless plan had collapsed in front of her. Sydney had not expected it either. She never thought Caleb would cut ties with Penelope so decisively, let alone declare that he would never divorce her. Unfortunately, their divorce had already gone through. After steadying her thoughts, Sydney looked at Adeline. "I only agreed to keep this quiet until next month." Just fifteen days. Adeline knew her son's nature.
He might appear gentle and refined, but nothing could sway him once he set his mind on something. If he ever discovered she had maneuvered in secret to push through his divorce from Sydney, he would almost certainly turn against her. As much as she disliked Sydney, Adeline forced her tone softer. "Sydney, then take this as me owing you a favor. Will that do?" Sydney smirked faintly. "Adeline, when I called and begged you the other day, you didn't sound like this at all." By now, she understood Adeline perfectly. Beneath the polish, she was no different from Eloise.
The mask of civility had already been torn away. A single concession today would never mean Adeline saw herself indebted. For women like her, a weaker person bowing her head was nothing more than the natural order. So why should Sydney bow hers? Now that Caleb's feelings were plain, Adeline had no choice but to restrain herself. Of course, she remembered her own haughty words on the phone just days earlier. She had assumed that lowering her head now would be enough, that Sydney would let matters rest. She had not expected Sydney to stand her ground, daring even to press on her pride.
Adeline's fury surged, and she slammed her palm against the desk. "Sydney, do you really not understand your place? After what happened last time, do you still not see you have no right to challenge me?" Sydney's voice remained calm. "But this time, you're the one who needs something from me." She would have to make everything clear with Caleb soon. She no longer wished to play the part of the Hampton family's daughter-in-law. Her serenity only stoked Adeline's anger. Just as she lifted her hand again to strike the desk, a knock sounded at the door.
Caleb entered, crossed the room, and took Sydney's wrist. "From now on, if you have an issue, bring it to me. Don't make things hard on her." "Are you a fool?" Adeline nearly rolled her eyes, her voice sharp with frustration. "You defend her like this. Do you even know what she's thinking?" 'She's thinking of divorce!' she shouted inwardly. Yet Sydney stayed composed, her gaze steady. If someone else voiced it for her, all the better. "In the past, I wronged her. Whatever she thinks, it's only natural." Caleb paused.
"I'm taking her to the Sterling family now." Adeline's eyes narrowed as she looked at Sydney. "She's just a woman with no name or status. Must you really escort her home for New Year?" It was true. In the past, Sydney had always gone back to the Sterling family alone. "She's reconciled with Julian." 1/2 The chill in Caleb's words silenced Adeline at once. Her attitude changed immediately. "Very well. If you're going, then go early. After all, it's her family home." She even led the way downstairs, instructing the housekeeper to prepare gifts and going out of her way to show importance.
When Sydney saw the trunk filled with carefully arranged presents, she could not help but think how wonderful power was. Caleb held the car door for her. "What are you thinking about?" "About Julian," Sydney answered without thinking. Then she froze. She had unconsciously equated power with Julian. And perhaps not only she-many in Jouleston likely thought the same. 2/2