Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 24

By the time he slumped unconscious beneath the seats, Sylvia finally ceased her assault. She adjusted her clothes, stumbling and rolling out of the car.

As she propped herself up, not a word could escape her lips; dragging a blood-soaked, deformed purse, she shuffled step by step towards the exit.

Halfway there, a car's dome light suddenly flickered on across the way.

Sylvia shielded her eyes momentarily, and then, as her vision adjusted, she saw Rupert, impeccably dressed, stepping out of his vehicle, in stark contrast to her disheveled state. Their eyes met, and Rupert frowned. It wasn't until the sound of police sirens filled the air that Sylvia snapped back to reality.

A gloved officer approached her, extending a hand, "Ms. Lloyd, we need the evidence you're holding."

"Is he dead?" Sylvia asked coldly.

"No, he's been taken to the ER."

Noticing her distressed state, the officer's response was cautious.

Sylvia nodded, though a tension remained in her mind.

while placing her purse into an evidence bag,

onto

called it in?" she asked, turning to

who was leaning against his car smoking, and without saying more, secured the evidence

black suit exuding a

in front of her, his gaze briefly flitting over the swelling on her forehead, and remarked sarcastically, "Quite the catch,

heard his words, the tension in her

of blood, she quivered her lips while gazing at him, "You saw me, didn't you? While you were entangled

Rupert silently acknowledged.

bursting into cold laughter; head down, she casually wiped away

you? What do you want then? For me to kneel and apologize? If that's the case, you could've said so." Stepping

turning

at him, attempting to walk past to somewhere else. But he grabbed her hand, pulling her in front of

comply? Refused to be a scapegoat in

had loved him? Did she deserve

agreed to the dinner with Naomi, shouldn't

adjusted collar coming