Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 318

Chris fiddled with his Zippo lighter, letting out a weary sigh. "Can you really blame her for not listening? She has no idea that her so-called airtight evidence is nothing compared to what the Lances have been building for three generations. Even if Fanny ends up behind bars tonight, it won't shake the Lances in the slightest. If anything, she's just made herself their next target. And let's not forget -Tristan's not letting this slide either."

Rupert took a slow drag from his cigarette, silent as ever.

Chris frowned, glancing sideways at him. "You're not really just going to let this go, are you? I get that you want Aaron's help to handle the mess at the mine, but come on, man—these are people's lives we're talking about. You politicians and your backroom deals..."

He was a doctor, after all. Sympathy came naturally to him.

He found himself torn, caught between his loyalty to his oldest friend and the heavy weight of the tragedy at the mine. The thought of those lost lives gnawed at him.

Tristan's mining operation was a gold mine-literally-but Rupert wasn't the one calling the shots.

That responsibility lay with two of the Garcia family's older relatives. They cared about one thing: profit. Safety regulations? Just paperwork to fudge for the inspectors.

Then, inevitably, disaster struck. Five men dead, a dozen more still in the hospital.

Those two old men tried to keep it under wraps, but as the truth started to leak, they went running to Tristan for help.

Tristan's solution? Call it an accident, sweep it under the rug. If anyone reported it, it would haunt them for years to come.

Tristan decided to play his usual games, targeting Bridget and hoping she'd get something

gone according to

I'm thinking. Aaron says if we let Fanny walk, he'll help with the

leaves off a tree, her face drained of color-she looked like she could disappear right into the hospital

never expected

drop the case earlier-and Rupert hadn't

this was what he

her, sure, but only as

just a

Rupert, nothing mattered more than

knew she was in way over her

stared at the cigarette butt, exhaling a final stream of

was caught off guard by the sudden shift in Rupert's tone. He let out a breath

I thought you were actually going to side with those crooks. So, how much are

earned put together. Isn't that just sick? People are worth less than dirt," Rupert muttered voice cold as winter. "I'm taking the mine. And I'll deal with the

faded.

you're going

didn't answer. He just

...