Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's vision blurred and twisted, like she'd walked straight into a thick London fog—nothing around her was clear anymore.

"What else did he say?" she managed to ask.

Kay looked her up and down, lips curling into a smirk. "He said if we threatened your mom, you'd cave. So... Sylvia, just accept your fate."

"You're just a pretty face in this world, no real power, no real say. In other words, you're just... a bargaining chip."

"You wouldn't want everyone seeing those little videos of your mom, would you? If that happens, it won't just be the Garcia family shutting her out—it'll be all of Kingstoria. She won't have a place anywhere."

Sylvia looked up at Kay, who was so smug and untouchable. A thin film of sadness crept into Sylvia's eyes.

"So, no matter what I do, you're never going to let me go, are you?"

Kay just smiled, which was answer enough.

After a moment, Kay raised her wine glass. "Sylvia, let me give you a little lesson -think of it as the price for threatening me."

Splash-

Kay hurled the red wine right into her own face, then let out a shrill scream.

Before Sylvia could even process what was happening, someone shoved an empty glass into her hand.

Suddenly, a voice thundered behind her.

What on earth do you think you're

over, flanked by

to Kay's side, dabbing at the wine dripping down

are you

scornful look, sighing dramatically. "This girl heard I'm old friends with Mr. Edwin, and who knows who put her up to it—she came running

glancing uncertainly

just stood there,

Kay had known all along that she'd overheard her conversation with Edwin. Everything she'd just said

Sylvia hesitated, a sudden whoosh sounded

hard across the

might've been getting on in years, but he still worked

shove her hands down onto the edge of

she gasped, wrenching her hands away, but the damage was

already turning red and angry from the

restaurant. What gives you

want guest treatment?" Tristan barked. "Fine. Get the manager

manager hustled over, head bowed

Mr. Tristan,

doesn't have security cameras.

commotion and er all we

came over,

lowering her wine

s