Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

On their way to the foyer, Sylvia and Naomi spotted the butler hurrying toward the family chapel with the Garcia family elders in tow.

"Mom, why's everyone heading to the chapel?" Sylvia asked, puzzled.

Naomi craned her neck, looking anxious. "Oh no, something big's about to go down."

Worried about Edwin, she grabbed Sylvia's hand and hurried after the crowd.

The chapel was packed with people, everyone standing stiffly in two lines. Sylvia quickly pulled Naomi to the very end, trying to stay out of sight.

She glanced up toward the altar and saw even the elders who rarely showed their faces had been summoned.

Rupert and Tristan sat at the front, incense curling around them, their faces grave and severe.

In the middle of the room, Warren was kneeling, jaw clenched in shame.

Beside him, Fiona's face was ghostly pale, her composure shattered. She was sobbing and yelling, nothing left of her usual Mrs. Fiona grace.

"Edwin! What's your deal? Warren got hurt because of your little charity-case daughter, and you just brought him back here like nothing happened?"

stared her down, voice cold. "Do I really need to explain to everyone here why he

for any excuse, snapped, "The Garcias raised Sylvia for years. So what if she has to give back a

clenched, but house

up, but Naomi beat her to it. Naomi stormed forward and slapped Fiona

out a wail and didn't get up, just huddled

one arm and groceries in the other, back in

to the wolves and act like you're doing a good deed? I heard Americans don't

For once, her voice was strong and clear. "I know you all look down on me! I've kept my head down all these years just to keep the peace. Well, if this is how things are, I'll leave-and don't any of you dare drag

Tristan slammed his hand on the table. "Who said you could speak here? Get her

her courage faltering as she realized she'd

block her mother, standing

again!" Tristan glared at Sylvia, gesturing

fell silent-no one moved

that moment, Rupert set down his coffee cup with a

not be hasty," Rupert

his eyes and

his cup with a cold sneer. "What's there to discuss? Warren wouldn't have done this Sylvia hadn't led him