Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Fiona was shoved aside by Rupert, stumbling hard onto the cold, unforgiving floor.

She'd always known how to play her cards right. Even if she didn't have much real power in the Garcia family, the title of Mrs. Fiona still counted for something, and she'd built up her own little following.

But now, sitting on the ground with everyone staring at her, there was only icy silence.

Even her own husband had turned away, shielding the other woman and her daughter instead.

Only Warren stood by her side, glaring furiously at Patrick. "Dad! Are you really saying Mom's wrong here? If she hadn't seduced you, would you have abandoned us? You're the Garcia family's firstborn, the heir to the Garcia Group, with the world at your feet!"

Patrick, making sure the woman and child behind him were unharmed, finally looked back at Warren, troubled. "After everything that's happened, you still think your mom's right about everything?"

Warren froze, suddenly unsure.

Fiona clung to Warren's sleeve, voice trembling. "Don't listen to him! He's been bewitched by those two homewreckers. Why else would he leave us high and dry? If it wasn't for him, would you be suffering like this?"

Her tears streamed down her cheeks, and Warren's face twisted, torn between shame and anger.

many eyes glued to him. He could almost feel them all staring at his wounds,

What right do you have to blame my mom?" Warren shot back at Patrick. "You cheated first! You took everything and left us here for everyone to

other woman stepped forward, nodding gratefully to Sylvia before facing the group, her voice steady

money, we wouldn't have spent years working two jobs just to get by. If he'd truly cheated, why would we have waited so long just

can check the records yourselves everything's right

maybe you two just waited to get married to hide

I've ever wronged is you. I didn't take a dime—I left everything in your

a lie! All I have are some frozen shares. At work, I still have to answer to Rupert for everything. And every single one of these so-called relatives gossips

glancing over at

quiver, a flash of guilt

stories weren't lining

the Garcia family was Patrick. Tristan had handpicked him as the successor, and

Even if he died, whatever he left behind should've been

only ever seen Warren and Fiona living