Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 486

Sylvia stood outside the brightly lit mansion, her hand halfway to the doorbell before she let it fall to her side.

Would it really be him?

As she hesitated, the door swung open and Orson stepped out onto the porch.

"Ms. Lloyd, Mr. Rupert is expecting you."

"Expecting me? He knew I was coming?" Sylvia's brows shot up in surprise.

Orson didn't answer, just gestured her inside.

She lingered for a moment, torn, but finally followed him in, her heart thudding as the familiar house came into view-closer than she'd been in years.

A storm of conflicting feelings churned inside her, pulling her in all directions.

If Rupert was the one who'd saved her... what on earth was she supposed to say?

Lost in thought, she barely realized she was standing in the foyer. The place hadn't changed-same old English antiques, the scent of lemon polish and woodsmoke. She barely had a chance to look around before a man's footsteps echoed from the staircase behind her.

She balled her fists, steeling herself, and turned.

Rupert must've stepped out from the shower-damp hair, a black silk robe hanging open over his chest, skin still glistening with steam.

His movements were easy, relaxed. No sign of injury-no gunshot wound, not even a scratch from a scuffle.

Sylvia froze, her heart caught in her throat-then suddenly, it plummeted.

She should be relieved it wasn't Rupert; that way, she owed him nothing.

But... somehow, there was an ache she couldn't put into words. She took a deep breath and forced her face into a calm mask.

"Uncle Rupert."

"Take a seat."

robe loosely as he sat, a cigarette already between his

casting his

daze. She shook her head. "No, thanks. I won't keep

She turned to leave.

stopped her cold,

mom

etched on her face. "What's that supposed to

"You tell me."

eyes hard, toying with the lighter

what Orson meant when

nails digging into her palms, the pain

t not enough to

you already knew Tristan sent the cops after my

"Yes."

hid his expression, but the power in his posture was unmistakable-like some

Step into the trap.

was that

she'd

he might've been her

she just felt

"If I refuse?"

you don't get

under, like she was drowning in the deep end of

blurred as tears threatened. She closed her eyes, trying to steady

and looked at him—her gaze dull, her mouth twisted

Rupert. I'll turn myself

Rupert to help her mom-Naomi-but in that instant, she couldn't

grand. Ten years behind