Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 31

Naomi rushed to the police station, her face turning pale with fear at the sight of Sylvia's bandaged hand.

"What happened? You just got out of the hospital, and now this? You're a designer, your hands are your livelihood!"

Even Naomi knew the importance of Sylvia's hands. Surely, Rupert understood this too. Yet, he had allowed harm to come to her. If so, just be it.

Sylvia said, smoothing back her hair, "I'm fine. Mom, let's cut to the chase. Did you find out what I asked you to?"

Naomi took Sylvia's hand in hers, tears welling up in her eyes as she finally calmed down.

"I did, I did. Look."

She pulled out her phone, showing Sylvia the information she had gathered.

Sylvia's mood lightened after reading it, "Just as I thought."

Naomi pressed her lips, "Sylvia, what do we do now? With Julian's affair barely behind us, and now this incident, given Tristan's temper, he will surely banish you."

probably not just banishment we're

glance they shared

knew about what happened to Sylvia and Rupert that night. He had spent years grooming Rupert, and he wouldn't let this incident tarnish Rupert's life. He was just waiting for the right moment to remove Sylvia from

their game,

feeling the sharp sting of her wounds as

I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you into the blind date. Then you wouldn't have gotten into

patted her hand, "Mom,

for Sylvia was genuine. Even her insistence on blind dates was out of fear that the Garcia family would exploit

around. The man who broke into Bridget's house insists you put him up to it. Now Bridget wants to hold you responsible, and with Rupert backing her, what will you do?" "Mom, just get

in the

give me

returned shortly,

Sylvia asked, "Mom..."

tall,

Rupert.

move; feeling helpless, she said, "The

wasn't the police; it was

saying blandly, "Mom,