Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Just as Chris had said, Kay had to be something special to carve out a place for herself in a world dominated by men. No one could survive that kind of

environment without some serious skills.

So when Sylvia showed up at Kay's office waving her so-called "evidence," let's be real-it was practically walking into the lion's den.

But truthfully? She was baiting the trap.

The worse off she looked, the more likely Kay would believe Sylvia was at the end

of her rope.

From the way Kay spoke to Edwin, Sylvia could tell Kay was proud-maybe even a little arrogant. She had zero interest in getting into a petty catfight with Naomi, and she'd never stoop so low as to beg Edwin for a second chance.

Kay wanted people to beg her.

Especially when she got to play god, dangling other people's fates in her hands.

Still, Naomi was Mrs. Garcia-the Garcia family's matriarch. No matter how talented Kay was, picking a fight with Naomi was just another way of declaring war on the Garcias themselves.

Kay probably wouldn't dare.

of course, she had someone powerful backing

it didn't take long to find out who. Sylvia just hadn't expected her supporters

behind the scenes

if that's how they wanted to play it,

left

that haunted her: In her previous life, was Naomi and Edwin's "accident" really just a

made Sylvia's chest

Sylvia glanced up and saw Chris watching her intently. "Something on

tugging at her cardigan and pretending to shrug it

saw right through her but didn't push Instead, he changed the subject. "I've started working on your mom's situation. It'll take a couple of days to sort everything out, but for now I've got her staying at a friend's private clinic. No one will know

They haven't gotten

was icy, her slender frame seeming to fade into the pale light behind

Kay's situation is connected to Rupert, do you? He'd never actually hurt you,"

Chris, Kay set me up at the Bluebird Lounge." Sylvia's voice

was Rupert's turf. Kay wouldn't have dared

have his reasons," Chris insisted, his

lay back, her tone

"Sylvia-"