Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 10

They'd built a private park that surrounded the estate, which, on rare occasions, would open its gates for public events. Yet, there was no subway lines, bus routes, even taxis were barely spotted.

Sylvia's quickest route to a train station was a solid twenty-minute walk away.

She battled against the chilly breeze under the streetlights. She had only been walking for a few minutes when the blare of a car horn approached her. Instinctively, she stepped aside, but to her surprise, the vehicle pulled up right next to her. "Ms. Lloyd, please get in."

A familiar face jutted out as the car window rolled down. It was Orson, Rupert's assistant.

Sylvia was stunned for a moment, her gaze flickering to the backseat where she caught sight of a hand adorned with a red-stoned ring tapping impatiently on a knee. Rupert.

She wanted nothing more to do with him, shaking her head, "No thanks. Drive safe."

Pulling her backpack closer, she continued on her way, while Orson swiftly got out from behind and blocked her path.

softly, "Ms. Lloyd, please get in the car, it's for your own good. Mr. Garcia mentioned it wouldn't look good for you to be seen lugging your suitcase around. If you refuse, I'm afraid I'll have to insist

had seen it in her previous life and had no illusions

was finally able to live her second chance at life

the passenger side, only to be

seat, his eyes half-close, his face partially hidden in shadow under the dim light,

say as punishing her in the previous life with a

It was Naomi.

seizing the opportunity. However, Rupert's gaze fixed

wronged you to make you run away like this?" Naomi's voice broke with desperation, each word revealing her helplessness. She, too, was aware of

to the inevitable. "Sylvia, maybe...I should ask your stepfather to set you up on a blind date. It's better to have a man to rely on than to be out there alone. Your stepfather sure can find someone suitable

glanced at Rupert with her peripheral vision, unable to decipher his reaction. But she had already become uneasy, attempting to end the

the other hand, uttered firmly, "Don't try to play dumb. I'm doing this for your own good. Let's settle it then, you'll go meet with someone

I've got