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.

on earth do you think

flanked by Rupert

to Kay's side, dabbing at the wine dripping down her face with a

you doing here with

dramatically. "This girl heard I'm old friends with Mr. Edwin, and who knows who put her up to it—she came running to warn me off. I barely said a word and she just... well, never

glancing uncertainly

stood there,

overheard her conversation with Edwin. Everything she'd just said she was just luring Sylvia into a

Sylvia hesitated, a sudden whoosh sounded right beside her

hard

he still worked out

staggered, catching herself on the table-only for Tristan to shove her hands down onto

away,

already turning red and angry from the

restaurant. What gives you the right to hit me? Is this how you

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

hustled over, head

Mr. Tristan,

doesn't have security cameras.

the commotion and er

came over,

her wine

s