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.

purse into an evidence bag, offhandedly remarked, "Lucky the call came in when

latched onto

in?" she asked, turning to the

car smoking, and without saying more, secured

cigarette and approached Sylvia callously, his black suit exuding

his gaze briefly flitting over the swelling on her forehead, and

the tension in her mind finally

blood, she quivered her lips while gazing at him,

Rupert silently acknowledged.

casually wiped away the blood stains on her hand

this my punishment for defying you? A reminder of what happens when I cross you? What do you want then? For me to kneel and apologize? If that's the case, you could've said so." Stepping back to put distance between them,

Rupert's voice was cold and deep, his expression turning stormy like the night sky covered in oppressive

he grabbed her hand, pulling her in front of him with a warning tone, "Cut it out."

Refused to be a

loved him? Did she deserve this

to the dinner

neatly adjusted collar coming