Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 27

The efficiency of the police was astonishingly high. No sooner had Sylvia agreed to a settlement than they had the documents ready for her to sign. One of the officers, who was the woman taking Sylvia's statement earlier, offered a gentle word of caution, "Are you sure you've thought this through?"

Holding the pen, her hand trembling slightly, Sylvia managed a bitter smile, "Yes, I've made up my mind. Let's just get this over with."

After all, she felt like nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game at this point. Without allowing herself a moment of doubt, Sylvia quickly signed her name. The female officer sighed, took the settlement documents, and left.

Almost immediately after, Naomi walked into the hospital room carrying a basket of comfort food.

Their eyes met, and Naomi's eyes were rimmed red with guilt.

"Sylvia..."

"I know all about it. Is Edwin okay?" Sylvia inquired.

Wiping away tears and serving up some soup, Naomi sighed, "He's fine, just got a bit of an earful. You know how Tristan can be. It's all that Julian's fault, the scoundrel! Dressed up like a gentleman, but nothing of the sort." Exhausted, Sylvia confessed, "Mom, I don't want to get married."

Naomi, wary of pressing the issue further, quickly uttered, "I understand. Anyway, the media storm has moved on to Bridget, doesn't affect us anymore. If you don't want to get married, then don't. I was just worried about what they might think, that you're holding out for someone you shouldn't."

handed Sylvia the bowl of soup.

deal with

on the internet. They're saying Bridget staged the whole drama to trap a husband. Now everyone's calling her out for being shameless. She and Rupert, you know how many people envied them? Now that she's caught in a scandal, they're all piling on. I always said

situation and quickly asked

Bridget for not restraining herself and being desperate to marry.

took the phone away, urging, "Eat up, why

"Rupert loves Bridget that much. How

mean by that?" Naomi

colleagues, right? Could you ask around about Bridget for

once worked for a luxury store. Those people seemed unimportant, and yet

nurse walked in with an

Naomi Garcia, Ms.

"Hi," Naomi responded..

set up the IV for Sylvia, she joked, "A colleague

help but ask, "Rupert's

and said, "He and Ms.

who was quietly eating her