Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 287

Tristan sat there with a stern look on his face, eyes fixed on Rupert, waiting for him to make a move.

Sylvia glanced down at her palm, red with blood, but she felt nothing. She was already too battered, too broken.

But the final blow was yet to come.

Rupert's gaze swept over Sylvia with the cold detachment of a winter wind, his expression as unreadable as a poker face in Vegas. "It's got nothing to do with me," he said.

Her palm, raw from the scrape of her wool coat, throbbed with a pain she had long grown numb to.

Warren seized the moment, wrapping a stiff arm around Sylvia and grinning. "Thanks, Uncle Rupert, for the opportunity."

Anyone looking from the outside might have thought Warren had deep feelings for Sylvia. But Sylvia knew better; his words were just another move in his game.

Unfortunately, Warren had miscalculated spectacularly. Rupert didn't care about her at all.

Tristan's gaze flickered between Sylvia and Warren, his previous anger at Sylvia's secret meetings with Rupert now replaced by something like resignation.

"You two? Never gonna happen. The Garcia family won't accept just anyone."

Just anyone?

Sylvia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, adding fresh pain to the old. She had no energy left to argue.

The chandelier's glow seemed to pierce through her, as if she might shatter at any moment.

worth, disciplined her as they saw fit. It was time for

looked down and said to the people gathered around the table, "I understand. I'll go

that, she turned

eyes glistening with unshed tears, quickly followed.

merely waved his hand. "You all go ahead and eat. Rupert, I need

...

frustration. "Rupert, what do

sat down leisurely and lit a cigarette, the smoke curling up

was suspicious. "What do you

"Sylvia,"

slowly d rolling it between

ring

hands, the smoke veiling

eyes.

Tristan narrowed his eyes.

Tristan. "Unless the day comes when I no longer want

would ever relinquish power and status for

it on; it signifies who you are. As for

finish, Rupert placed a document in front

word "acquisition" stood out

a thing!" Tristan said with a touch of disappointment, though

over the acquisition

worth keeping around," Rupert said

"Let's