Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 350

Hospital Room

When Sylvia woke up, Rupert was already gone. She took a moment to gather her strength, then got out of bed and poured herself a glass of water. Just as she took a sip, she noticed a shadow flickering outside the door.

"Who's there?" she called out.

The door creaked open a sliver, and Jayson's head peeked through.

"Quit messing around," his mom said, pulling Jayson out of the way as she

stepped into the room. "Miss, I really have to thank you for what you did. I brought

you something to eat-I hope you don't mind. It's nothing fancy."

"Are you kidding? Thank you so much! I'm starving," Sylvia replied, a little embarrassed but grateful.

Jayson's mom opened up a thermos and poured out a bowl of creamy oatmeal, then handed over a couple of homemade biscuits.

She carefully packed the rest of the food away, making sure not to waste a crumb.

Sylvia eyed the food, a little suspicious. "Mrs. Carter, did you...?"

"Jayson's dad is still in the ICU. We're just trying to make things stretch, you know?" Mrs. Carter's eyes turned red and watery.

Sylvia thought for a moment, then asked gently, "Jayson getting thrown in the river... it had something to do with his dad, didn't it?"

punched in the stomach. Tears welled up and spilled

everything up, and now they want us to sign those

Who are you talking

just... never mind. Saying it won't

Jayson's hand and started to leave. But just as they reached

he said

tiny basket, barely bigger than her palm, and smiled. "Thank you,

they left, Sylvia couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that she was missing

as she closed her eyes, the image of the two men tossing Jayson into the river flashed in her mind. She'd only caught a glimpse in the chaos, but now,

won?

familiar.

bolt

them—the men who had followed her at the night

not only that, she'd seen one of them somewhere else. That morning, in the hotel restaurant, standing behind

the mining business. Those

Sylvia threw on her jacket and

asking a nurse for directions, she

raised voices

a suit was standing over

want to do this the hard way? Do you have any idea who

Just sign the damn papers,"

to

want to give us five grand?