"Yeah." Rupert replied in a low, even tone.

After that, everyone except Sylvia exchanged greetings.

Finally, Naomi nudged Sylvia with her elbow and whispered, "Come on, at least say hi."

Sylvia shifted awkwardly. "But I don't even know him. How am I supposed to say hi?"

She'd kept her voice down, but the group wasn't standing far apart-everyone heard her loud and clear.

Across from her, Rupert's expression darkened.

Sylvia wished she could melt into the floor.

Lester leaned down and murmured quietly, "Just go by family titles."

"Okay.” Sylvia gave a look that said, 'Fine, you're the boss,' then turned to Rupert. "Uncle Rupert."

Her eyes were clear, cool-neither friendly nor hostile.

Her tone was polite, a little distant, with the kind of respect you'd give an elder at

a Thanksgiving dinner you barely knew.

Rupert's jaw tightened. "You just do whatever people tell you?"

Sylvia blinked, confused, and pointed at Lester. "He's not just people."

Rupert's eyes narrowed, cold as a Chicago winter.

Sylvia felt a chill crawl down her back and instinctively stepped a little closer to Lester.

She could have sworn she glimpsed a flash of self-mockery in Rupert's eyes, but maybe she'd imagined it.

Lester lifted his hand, shielding Sylvia almost protectively, and said with a calm firmness, "Mr. Rupert, Sylvia and I have some things to take care of. We'll be heading out."

Sylvia followed Lester as they left.

she felt something ghost over the back of her

about it, but there was a strange sensation-just for a

hesitate, just tossed her hair back

turned the corner, Sylvia glanced

Rupert walking away in the opposite direction,

light where their hands met-like two threads of

called from inside the

hurrying to

elevator doors closed, Rupert suddenly stopped

didn't

wrong?" Reese asked,

"It's nothing. Let's go."

his face

lingered behind, noticing for the first

reassure her. "He's just getting

sick. Probably still a

u know?" Content bithet

it,

silla

that made sense, then said her goodbyes to Chris

Garcia family

car, but

aren't you

a ton of things to

the wedding. I'll

Don't wait up

verket

remember to

and get some rest."

his files, his tone calm

Reese froze.

there was no

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