Chapter 140 "What is it?" Sydney asked. Julian hesitated, weighing his words, then finally spoke. His voice was rough, like gravel scraping steel. "You could always consider using yourself to pay- "Babe, I'm back!" The elevator doors slid open. Tiffany stepped out, a purse draped over one arm, takeout bags in the other. Her cheerful voice cut Julian off mid-sentence, sharp and jarring. Sydney bolted upright, eyes locked on Julian. "What did you just say?" "Nothing." Julian's tone was flat. He glanced at Tiffany, then stepped back, calling the dog inside.
Tiffany clamped a hand over her mouth, shot Sydney a series of frantic looks, and almost screamed, "What the hell was that?" "What do you mean, what the hell?" Sydney tugged her toward the door, ushering her inside. Tiffany replayed Julian's expression in her mind. She shook her head. "No way that was nothing. The way he looked at me... He wanted blood. What did he say?" "He didn't even finish before you showed up," Sydney said. She took the takeout containers from Tiffany and began unpacking them onto the table. Julian's words had been so low she hadn't caught them.
Whatever they were, they definitely weren't good. The next morning was Saturday, and she had no clinic shifts or lab appointments. Sydney had stayed up all night reorganizing her research plan from scratch, hunting for breakthroughs. The more she worked, the clearer her mind became. By the time the sun was high, she finally stood, lightheaded, and staggered to her bed and collapsed. Half-asleep, she felt her phone buzz on the nightstand. Her eyes were too heavy to open, so she answered without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?" "When are you going to replace my suit?" Julian's voice was cold and sharp, like a debt collector. Sydney blinked, barely awake. "Tonight, okay? I need to sleep now." She was out before she finished the sentence. Julian was about to hang up when he caught the faint sound of her slow, steady breathing. He paused, then lowered his hand. He looked down, his eyelashes casting shadows that hid the flicker in his eyes. He slipped on his earbuds, and went back to his office work, his steps quiet. Time blurred until the doorbell rang.
Instinctively, Julian tapped mute before rising to answer. His brows drew together when he saw who it was. "Why are you here?" he asked. Raymond breezed in. "Your phone's been busy. Had no choice but to come over." Julian sprawled on the couch and crossed his legs. "What do you want?" His expression was dark due to the interruption. Raymond studied him with a smirk. "What's wrong? Hiding a girl in here?" "Wouldn't you like that?" Julian shot back. "I sure know you do." Raymond leaned toward the wide-open, obviously empty bedroom. "Shame.
Looks like the girl doesn't want to be hidden." Julian's gaze turned cold. "You should've been a paparazzo, being this nosy." Raymond chuckled. "Please. My old man would break both my legs." The Huttons were notorious for strict discipline. Raymond's grandfather was a military heavyweight, and his uncles were all in politics. The family was straight-laced and spotless. Letting him practice medicine at all already bent the rules. No other stunts could fly. Through his earbuds, he could hear Sydney shift and the soft sigh that escaped her lips in deep sleep. His expression eased slightly. "So?
What was so urgent you had to come in person?" he asked. "Your housewarming," Raymond replied. Since Julian wasn't exactly playing host, Raymond helped himself, grinding beans and starting the coffee machine. "Bruce and the others heard you moved. They're insisting on coming over tonight." Julian shook his head without hesitation. "Not tonight." 2/2