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.

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

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 look

to

back and more scars than I could count. If he'd had money, we wouldn't have spent years working two jobs

yourselves everything's right there in black and

"Or maybe you two just waited to get married to hide the money! Buy some time to

Patrick snapped, turning to Warren, anger rising. "The only person I've ever wronged

still have to answer to Rupert for everything. And every single one of

glancing over

followed his gaze, noticing Fiona's lips quiver, a

the stories

was Patrick. Tristan had handpicked him as the successor, and Patrick had lived up to it-smart, capable, just like

had a hefty nest egg of his own. Even if he died, whatever he left

joined the Garcia family, she'd only ever seen Warren and Fiona living simply. She'd always thought it was just