Chapter 183 "What do you mean? Your dowry? All of it's supposed to go toward buying your brother a house?" "Yeap." Tiffany rolled her eyes and cracked open a beer, gulping it down in fury. "They can dream on. And they even said, since I've been working three or four years already, plus being a lawyer is such a high-paying job, I must have plenty saved up. So of course, I should pitch in to buy my brother a house." Sydney licked her lips and reached out to pat her head.
"Whether it's your body or your money, if you don't want to give, they can't take a thing from you." Beyond that, Sydney had little more to say. No matter how unreasonable they were, they were still Tiffany's family. Blood ties could not be cut with a single decision. Tiffany looked up at her. Normally so decisive, she now asked in a small voice, "What if they force me?" Sydney chuckled softly. "Then you've still got me. I'll protect you.' She had more than enough money, enough to hire ten bodyguards for Tiffany if it ever came to that. The next morning, Sydney and Tiffany rose early.
They pasted up New Year decorations and reheated some of the meatballs Eliana and Agatha had sent over. The festive atmosphere was thickening when the doorbell rang. Tiffany ran to answer it. A moment later, she hurried back into the kitchen and tapped Sydney's shoulder. "Your ex-husband's here. He's asking for you." Sydney frowned. "Then keep an eye on the meatballs in the pan.' Handing her the spatula, she turned and went out. " Caleb had not stepped inside. He stood at the doorway, waiting. "Syd, I'm here to take you back to the family estate." Sydney froze. She had all but forgotten.
She thought of herself as divorced, yet returning to the Hampton estate for New Year's had always been tradition. No matter how bitter the rest of the year grew, these old aristocratic families loved putting on a show of harmony during the holidays. "Then wait a moment." Sydney did not refuse. "I'll go change." She had not expected to leave the apartment today and was still in loungewear. When she came back out, dressed neatly and lightly made up, she saw another figure standing in the elevator lobby. Julian was waiting for the elevator, his expression dark, the air around him weighted.
Someone had clearly provoked him. Caleb must have greeted him already. When he saw Sydney, he said softly, "Let's go." "Alright." Sydney walked with him toward the elevator, though she could feel Julian's gaze sweep over her. It was light, but impossible to ignore. She instinctively edged a little farther from Caleb. Only then did Julian look at her directly. "I'll come to the Hampton estate this afternoon to pick you up for New Year's Eve dinner at the family house." "You're going back to the old estate for New Year's?" Sydney's surprise slipped out.
1/2 In recent years, Julian had rarely returned for New Year's or any holiday. He did not explain, only gave a faint nod. "Yeah." Caleb spoke up suddenly. "Jules, you don't need to make a special trip to fetch Syd." He looked at Sydney, and his handsome face softened. "This year, I'll go with her to the Sterling estate." Sydney blinked in shock. Caleb had never accompanied her there for New Year's before. Every year, Lucas and Penelope would return and stay at the estate for a time, and during those days Caleb would practically live there. This year, Lucas was gone.
But Penelope, as Timothy's mother, should by rights still be at the family estate. So where was Caleb finding the time to go with her to the Sterling estate? 2/2