She didn't care . She kept her gaze lowered , quietly sipping her juice , though she could feel a sharp stare boring into her . She didn't need to look to know it was Julian . By evening , the private dinner Julian had ordered arrived on time . As everyone sat down , the seat beside Caleb was left empty for Sydney . Bruce grinned . " Syd , sit here . " " Alright . " Sydney did not think being divorced meant she had to avoid him . She sat openly . The moment she did , a sharp pressure landed on the top of her foot . She flinched and tried to pull back , but the weight pressed harder .
Glancing down , she immediately recognized whose foot it was . Above the table , laughter and toasts flowed freely . Beneath it , his shoe pressed brazenly against her bare skin . It felt illicit , like an affair carried on in the dark . Julian's face was cold as stone , his gaze sliding over her before flicking to the small distance between her and Caleb . He looked utterly righteous , as if nothing were out of place and pinning her foot beneath his was perfectly natural . He had never been a gentleman . This was not merely forbidding Caleb from touching even a finger of hers .
It was forbidding him to sit close at all . Resigned , Sydney shifted her chair farther away . Only when there was enough space between her and Caleb for another person to sit did Julian finally release her foot . It was childish . Mid - conversation , Caleb noticed her retreating inch by inch . He turned his head and asked gently , " Still angry about the other day ? " He meant the " fake divorce . " Sydney shook her head calmly . " No. " The marriage was over . Why would she be angry about his suggestion of a fake divorce ? " Really ? " Caleb leaned closer , lowering his voice .
" I won't be seeing Penelope anymore . We don't need to keep up the pretense , " Thinking of her living across from Julian , he gave a soft laugh . " I didn't expect your brother to move in right across from you . Actually , it kind of works out . Once we finish here , I'll help you pack and take you home . " 2/2 " I'm asking . What's your relationship with Marcus ? " " I have no relationship with him at all ! " Her temper snapped , every word sharp and deliberate . " Caleb , stop blaming others to cover your own guilt ! " Caleb rarely saw her this agitated .
To him , it only proved her guilt and reinforced his suspicions . " Fine . If that's true , then come home with me . " He jabbed the elevator button , holding her firmly as he tried to drag her along . " Let me go ! " Sydney struggled , panic rising . He did not release her . " Let go , " a sharp , cold voice commanded . Caleb froze . Julian stood at the doorway , eyes dark and cutting as they locked on the hand gripping Sydney . This time , before she could struggle again , Caleb released her . Julian extended his hand toward her . " Come back here . " Relief washed over her .
Sydney hurried over , her demeanor soft and obedient . Julian's irritation eased as he watched her play the part so well . He glanced at Caleb and smirked faintly . " Already bullying her at my doorstep ? "