Chapter 524 For a moment, Iris froze. She wasn't foolish-she could hear the venom dripping from Adeline's voice. Still, offending Sydney wasn't an option either, not when the woman had deep ties to the Sterlings. One wrong word, and Iris might end up paying for it later. Just as she was looking for a graceful way to excuse herself, a low, cutting laugh echoed from the entryway. "If someone like you could marry into the Hampton family, then for Sydney, joining the Sterlings would be effortless." The words were calm, but the tone carried a chill edged with mockery. The room fell silent.
Most of the guests had long resented Adeline in private, but no one dared cross her while her son kept Hampton Corp. afloat. Now, though, the jab was too good. A few who lacked restraint nearly burst out laughing. Who was it? Who finally had the courage to say what everyone else was thinking? Sydney turned toward the speaker. Julian stood not far away, dressed in a navy suit. His expression was composed, but the displeasure in his eyes was unmistakable. He raised a hand toward her, his tone softening only for her. "Come on. Let's go home. The Hampton family's threshold is too high.
No need to come again." Everyone in the room understood what that meant. The Sterlings were cutting ties with the Hamptons. Adeline's face shifted through furious red, embarrassed white, and mottled disbelief. Humiliated in front of her guests, she could barely hold herself together. She forgot all about the Sterling-Hampton partnership and their years of cordial relations. "Julian!" she snapped. "I'm still your elder! Just because you've grown wings doesn't mean you can talk to me like this!" Her voice shook with outrage. "And I didn't even say anything wrong!
Your grandmother will never let you marry Sydney. Instead of mocking me, you'd better go home and beg her!" Her cheeks burned crimson as she fought to keep her composure. Upstairs, Caleb heard the commotion. He hadn't even realized his mother had returned, but when her sharp voice echoed up the stairwell, he stopped mid-step. He wanted to hear how Julian would respond. He knew the man well-Julian might seem untouchable, but when it came to those he cared about, he had limits. However strained things were between him and Eloise, they were still grandmother and grandson.
172 +25 Bonus Surely, he wouldn't ignore her completely. Maybe this would even make Sydney face reality before she got hurt too deeply. At that moment, Julian pulled Sydney close, his arm steady around her shoulders. "You've misunderstood," he said evenly. "Between Sydney and me, it's not about whether I want to marry her. It's about whether she's willing to marry me." Iris exhaled in relief. 'Thank goodness!' She had nearly said something foolish to appease Adeline. Fortunately, she had stayed quiet. To Julian, Sydney wasn't just important-she was everything.
Who would have thought that a man so cold and unreadable could love someone with such open, consuming devotion? The kind that made others envious. Adeline's face hardened. "So you don't care what your grandmother thinks? She's old, her health is fragile. What if the shock makes her ill?" "Then we'll hold a grand funeral," Julian said flatly. "What?" She blinked, not understanding at first, then the meaning hit her like a slap. "The audacity!' He meant that if something happened to Eloise, he'd treat it as an event to celebrate. Sydney pinched his back gently-a silent plea for restraint.
There was no point in earning himself a reputation for defying his elders. Julian only tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her closer. His voice remained calm, deliberate. "My father and I share no blood with Eloise Doakes. If I'm willing to give her a proper funeral, that alone should earn your respect." COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus D Comments บ Support Share GET IT +25 Bonus Mark Twain