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?"

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

of them! Messed everything up, and now they

Who are you

Carter hesitated, biting her lip. "It's just... never mind. Saying it won't change anything.

But just as they reached the

said solemnly. "To protect

basket, barely bigger than her palm,

couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that she was

back down, but as soon as she closed her eyes, the image of the two men tossing Jayson into the river flashed in her mind.

won?

familiar.

bolt upright

men who had followed her at the night

somewhere else. That morning, in the hotel restaurant, standing behind Rupert-one of his security

town to deal with the mining business. Those two men... they must be

her suspicion, Sylvia threw on her jacket and left

a nurse for directions, she found the ICU. Before

raised voices

a suit was standing over Mrs.

hard way? Do you

sign the damn papers," the

to help

you want to give us