Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 355

"I mean-how should I know? Anyway, they've got all the evidence. No one's getting out of this,” Naomi muttered, slicing off a piece of apple and popping it into Sylvia's mouth.

Sylvia chewed, but her mind was elsewhere. If they'd managed to get their hands on the evidence, someone had to have helped. And besides Rupert, she couldn't think of anyone else with that kind of pull.

With a sigh, Sylvia nibbled on her apple, the taste bland on her tongue. "Mom, where's Uncle Rupert?"

"Dead-oops!" Naomi yelped as the paring knife nearly slipped. "Jeez, are you trying to kill your own mother?"

"Dead? He can't be dead," Sylvia's voice trembled. "At worst, he'd break a leg or something."

"I said he's not dead!" Naomi snapped.

"Could you maybe be a little clearer?" Sylvia frowned.

"What are you so jumpy about? On the way back, if I hadn't clamped a hand over your mouth, you'd have been shouting 'Uncle Rupert' the whole way..."

"Mom! I'm starving. Can you grab me something to eat?" Sylvia cut her off, her voice loud and desperate.

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine," she said, heading out the door to go find some food.

waited a bit, but curiosity got the best of her. She slipped off

though, she hesitated. Just then, Orson stepped out, nearly bumping into

barely had time to signal him to keep quiet before Orson bellowed, "Ms.

station poked their heads out

you coming in to

into the room. "You had someone eavesdropping, didn't

up against his pillows, looking pale but somehow even more intense, his sharp eyes

"Eavesdropping? You mean all the times you

did not! My mom's always

just go ask her myself,

huffed. "Well, it looks like you're fine.

Orson slammed it

a faint smile. "Pour me a glass of water, would you?" He

him a glass anyway, handing

Rupert's, his gaze deep and unreadable,

he took the glass, he didn't

them grew warmer. Rupert's eyes stayed locked on her face,