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?"

Carter looked like she'd been punched in the stomach. Tears welled up

and

are you

it won't change anything. Miss,

started to leave. But just as they reached the door, Jayson turned and

he said solemnly. "To

barely bigger than

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

the two men tossing Jayson into the river flashed in her mind. She'd only caught

won?

familiar.

bolt upright

men who had

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

the mining business. Those two men... they must be

her suspicion, Sylvia threw on her jacket and left her

for directions, she found the ICU. Before she

voices

in a suit was

the hard way? Do you

the damn papers," the

promised to

us five grand? That won't even