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

any excuse, snapped, "The Garcias raised Sylvia for years. So what if she has to give back a little? It's not

fists clenched, but house

to it. Naomi stormed forward and slapped Fiona so hard she knocked her right to the

wail and didn't get up, just huddled

wasn't just any woman-she used to carry a baby in one arm and groceries in the other, back in the day. Even after years of pampered living, she had no trouble dealing with someone

someone else's daughter to the wolves and act like you're doing a good deed? I heard Americans don't care about age-how come you never offered yourself up? Guess you only pick on the ones

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

the table. "Who said you

courage faltering as she realized she'd gone

her mother, standing firm.

Sylvia, gesturing furiously.

the room fell silent-no one moved to obey

coffee cup with a heavy

let's not be hasty," Rupert said

narrowed his

cold sneer. "What's there to discuss? Warren