+25 Bonus Chapter 568 Sydney kept her focus on Eliana's condition. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. She pressed her lips together and said, "Not very good." Caleb looked taken aback. "Even you and Alan can't handle it?" Julian sat beside them, working through documents with steady movements. His gaze drifted toward them at quiet intervals, yet he said nothing. Sydney had expected Caleb's question. "The toxin is too complex. I can't resolve it for now. When Alan returns, he might have a solution," she answered in a plain tone. She understood the truth.
Without a full analysis from the research institute, no antidote could be formulated. She still hoped Alan would return to Jouleston soon. Caleb stared at her with disbelief and worry. Then he said, softer than before, "Then wait until Alan returns and check together. Take care of yourself. Don't overwork. You're carrying a child." Julian's brows lifted a fraction. He stayed silent, yet the pressure of his pen against the paper grew heavier. Sydney was about to speak when Julian closed the document he had just signed. His lips curved a little as he said in a deep, unhurried voice, "Mr.
Hampton, don't worry. With me here, I won't let Precious overwork." It was the first time he had used her childhood nickname in front of anyone else. He had guarded it since they were young and never allowed others to hear it. Even with Bruce and their old friends nearby, he never voiced it. Now, in front of Caleb, the simple nickname cut with sharp intent. If Caleb had known it back then, he would not have mistaken Penelope for so many years. Caleb went still.
His fingers curled slightly, though he maintained his composure and forced a polite smile." With you watching over her and the child, of course I'm reassured." The word child carried pointed weight. Once, Julian would have exploded. Now, he accepted it. He knew he loved Sydney. To him, love meant acceptance. He loved her, so he accepted everything about her, including the child. Julian smiled with steady calm. "Reassured or not, you can't do anything about it." It was as if to say, "And what can you change?" The truth was clear. Sydney had chosen him. Perhaps she had always chosen him.
Caleb looked at her composed expression and drew a long, quiet breath. It did nothing to ease the tightness in his chest. After a moment, he found his voice. "I have to go. If you need anything, call me anytime." Sydney nodded. "All right." Once Caleb left the room, Julian rose and picked up his phone from the table. Bonus Sydney looked up. "What is it?" "Elliot is sending something over. I'm heading downstairs," he said, his expression unreadable. She accepted this and returned to the research institute's latest update. The toxin's composition was complicated.
Several components required separate comparison and verification. Results would not arrive soon. Outside the ward, Caleb's loneliness showed in full. He walked toward the elevators with slow steps. At the corner, a voice stopped him. "You know something about this, don't you?" It was Julian. Caleb paused and turned back. "About what? I don't know what you mean." Julian's sharp, unsparing gaze locked onto him. His voice dropped to a cold edge. "Then I'll ask more directly. Do you know what poisoned Alan's wife?" The mild restraint he kept in the ward had vanished.
The hard lines of his face carried a chilling darkness. Caleb showed no reaction. His voice stayed even. "Your hospital couldn't determine the toxin. How would a businessman like me know?" "Is that so?" Julian watched him coldly. "Caleb, some things are better stopped while there's still room to stop." His tone stayed low and measured, a warning in every word. COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus P Comments Mark Twain