Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 26

Tristan was already fuming, and seeing his son not living up to expectations only added fuel to the fire.

Lifting his hand in frustration, he nearly wished he could drill some sense into Edwin's head, scolding, "How on earth did I end up with such a useless son? Brainless! Completely led astray by a woman! If you had half the wit of Rupert, we wouldn't be in this mess today!" Edwin's face turned even grimmer.

Sylvia, who had been about to open the room, let go of the doorknob. She knew stepping in would only embarrass Edwin further.

Edwin had always been kind to her. She couldn't bear it.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the tension. A dark, composed figure stepped in slowly, his handsome face betraying no emotion, though a hint of chill lingered in his eyes. "Dad, Julian's alright now. There's no point in berating Edwin."

"I want to do more than berate him! Now the Zook family is demanding explanations. This scandal getting out tarnishes the Garcia family's reputation! This all comes down to recklessly letting people into our lives, bringing a disaster with them, who was all tangled up in affairs with men!"

Tristan glanced at Naomi with a stern face, clearly indicating the source of the trouble: Sylvia.

Naomi bit her lip hard, wanting to argue but not daring to.

calmly said, "This can still be resolved. A simple settlement with Sylvia should suffice. Otherwise, digging deeper into this, Julian's going to lose more than

to such dealings. Digging deeper meant not just a blow to Julian's reputation, but trouble

were making noise about Julian's being assaulted simply to leverage more

satisfaction, "Alright,

retorted, "No way! Sylvia was nearly...by that beast. Asking her to settle? Isn't that the same as admitting she's okay with what Julian

when Rupert cut in before

nodded, "I'll leave you to handle

way back to her bed, buried her face in her arms,

dealings! That was

later, the door opened, and she peeked out, looking listlessly at Rupert as he entered. Approaching the bed, Rupert reached out to touch her but she

Sylvia remained silent.

up. Signing

her own ragged breathing. She bit her lip, trying not to make a sound. Until she swallowed down the taste

Rupert's eyes,

turning his ring, paused; he merely grunted in response, still the