Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 435

Reese shook her head quickly, looking at Rupert. "I didn't save Mr. Rupert

because I wanted anything in return. Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered who was in that car-I'd have done the same thing."

She wasn't saying it just to sound good; it was simply the truth.

Tristan nodded at her with clear approval. "Reese, Rupert's lucky to know you."

She blushed, awkwardly ducking a little closer to Rupert's side. "You say stuff like that and I don't even know how to answer!"

Everyone in the room could see how she felt-and no one seemed to mind.

Sure, she'd lost part of her leg, but it was for Rupert's sake.

If the Garcias married her in, even if she was just a figurehead, the family would gain a reputation for kindness. Not to mention, Reese's own family was powerful -uniting their families would make them even stronger.

Reese glanced up at Rupert's sharp profile, her eyes full of hope, wishing he'd say something-anything.

But Rupert just nodded politely and offered her a fruit platter. "Have some fruit."

She felt a twinge of disappointment, but it had been a long time since they'd seen each other. Maybe it made sense to take things slow.

So, she smiled and took a bite of melon.

Tristan noticed it all, his eyes briefly clouding with annoyance.

"Rupert, it's Reese's first time here. Show

brightened. "I'd love to see where you

"Take your time with the fruit.

head back to the kitchen. Instead, she slipped out to the

roses and hydrangeas, carefully arranged by Naomi, didn't help. If anything, it made her

called her back, and why Naomi was in charge of the

Embarrassment. Humiliation. Outsider.

fit her and her daughter perfectly right

of them. Sylvia took a deep breath; the chilly air helped steady her nerves. She turned to leave-only to find someone blocking her path. She didn't have to

she tried to walk past the man, heading back toward the kitchen. But she'd barely

really going to make a scene out

the word "scene” hanging in the air with extra

at the maids bustling under the porch and stopped fighting. "Uncle Rupert, if you have something

He didn't

go. Instead, he gently r clenched fist,

the scraped skin oefe

finger.

with me, but you're all sweetness with everyone else.

tried to pull

Rupert's grip tightened just

enough

back in front

a Band-Aid out of his pocket and carefully wrapped it around her