Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Rupert was sitting on the couch, flipping through some paperwork when he glanced up at her.

"Awake? Looks like that fits you pretty well."

"Yeah," she replied, nodding, but there was something off about the way he said it

that made her pause.

Just then, Orson came out of the kitchen.

"Mr. Rupert, Ms. Lloyd, breakfast is ready."

Rupert closed his folder and stood up, then gently ushered Sylvia over to the dining table.

"I'll have the driver take you to the studio later," he told her as she sat down.

Sylvia checked her watch but didn't argue. "Alright."

As breakfast was winding down, she snuck a glance at him and asked carefully, "Uncle Rupert, you took your meds yesterday-how are you feeling today?"

Rupert's expression darkened just a touch. "I'm fine."

Sylvia persisted, "Make sure you take your pills after breakfast—just to be safe."

He just nodded, setting down his fork and fixing his gaze on her.

Sylvia squirmed under his stare, feeling awkward. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Wiping his hands, Rupert said quietly, "Just surprised you still care, that's all." Sylvia was about to retort, but a security guard knocked and walked in.

"Mr. Rupert, we found Ms. Simpson. She's safe, and right now—" "Ahem!" Orson cleared his throat loudly, shooting a glare at the guard.

cozy

at Orson as if to say, "Didn't you want

rolled

slammed her fork and knife down, her face

So this is what she gets for lying to you? She gets to just run off with her boyfriend, no consequences? While I'm the one who gets

Rupert said nothing.

it-even now, he

another second. She stood up abruptly, accidentally

she realized the box

his medicine

her like a punch to the

breath. "You lied

to explain, "Ms.

She turned on her heel and

at Rupert. "Sorry,

glared coldly at the guard who'd barged

"What now?"

booked a flight for

skipped town?" Rupert

wandered into the

barely sat down when a coworker appeared with fresh

before-we're really sorry. We had no

accepting the

holding a grudge—they still

coworkers visibly relaxed, going back to

stared at her computer,

made her