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."

not just banishment

glance they shared

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

pawn in their game, easily squashed at

closed her eyes, feeling the sharp sting of her wounds as if they

shaken, gripped her hand tighter, uttered with her voice lowered, "Sylvia, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you into the blind date. Then you wouldn't

patted her hand,

on blind dates was out of fear that the

into Bridget's house insists you put him up to it. Now Bridget wants to hold you responsible,

uncomfortable in the

just give me a

but returned

Sylvia asked, "Mom..."

could finish, a tall, imposing

Rupert.

to move; feeling helpless, she said,

wasn't the police;

gave Naomi a look, saying blandly, "Mom, you should go back