Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 34

"Ms. Lloyd, as a lawyer, I've got to tell you straight - this is the best outcome you could hope for."

Peter's words floated through the air with a lightness that seemed to assume Sylvia, a woman seemingly without a stronghold in the world, had no choice but to accept her fate. Sylvia closed her speech notes and looked up at Peter, her silence speaking volumes. Under her clear gaze, Peter suddenly felt an unexpected unease.

"Ms. Lloyd, what are you looking at?"

"Peter, I recall you were once on the run for providing free legal defense to the underprivileged. That's how the Garcias came to respect you, right?" Sylvia spoke leisurely. Peter's eyes flickered. Only Rupert and Tristan were privy to that chapter of his life; how did she know?

Yet, as a seasoned lawyer accustomed to high stakes, he quickly regained his composure.

"And your point?"

"When you're advising me to do these things, do you truly feel at peace with yourself? Let's set aside the dubious nature of Bridget's case for a moment. As a lawyer, I refuse to believe you haven't reviewed Julian's file. Am I an exception? When you stand there, all righteous, urging me to accept guilt, have you considered the precedent it sets? That no future victim might be believed again? Are you betraying your past self?"

Sylvia's voice was gentle, her laughter almost audible in its lightness.

Peter paled, struggling to find words, "Ms. Lloyd, you don't have to make this difficult for me."

decided to yield to

But before

reached him; Peter nodded and handed her his

a few

"Mom, is everything okay?"

me," Naomi's voice was hoarse, probably

the news and learned about the

I'm fine too. Please

took a deep breath,

She picked up her speech notes, glanced at them for a

"Mr. Rupert Garcia. Once this is all over, he

fingers brushed the paper, cutting him off, "What he will do

the pale-faced woman before him, her eyes as profound as a still night, unfathomable. He couldn't bring himself

the press

her hair into a ponytail as she looked into the glass, then turned and walked out of

look. Understanding the gesture, Sylvia followed Peter to the