Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Rupert shot a frosty glance at the two people in the car with him.

The stoplight was red for ninety seconds-long enough for Sylvia and Lester to say a lot to each other.

The last time Sylvia had talked to him that much was back at the lake house, when she'd tricked him.

As soon as the light turned green, Sylvia disappeared around the corner without a backward glance.

Rupert frowned and rubbed his temples, feeling the familiar ache.

Orson noticed and asked, "Mr. Rupert, want me to pull over and grab your meds?"

Ever since the fire at the lake house, Rupert had been getting these headaches, though the doctors said nothing was actually wrong.

Chris kept insisting it was stress, that he was pushing himself too hard.

Rupert just stared out the window, silent, absently fiddling with his wedding band. He used to twist it as a reminder of responsibility. Somewhere along the way, it just became something to fidget with while he zoned out.

They pulled up to the Garcia estate. The butler was out front, directing staff as they hauled luggage around.

glance over before he realized those were his own bags from the apartment in Soho

was icy. "What's going

butler shrank back a little from

to move it," came

gave a subtle nod. Only then did Rupert head

there's a lot to handle," Tristan said briskly. "It's not convenient for you to be

you forget you're getting married in a month? Living alone in SoHo and ignoring

face was unreadable

and shortbread cookies. Rupert sipped calmly, making it clear he had no intention of answering right

started to lose his cool first. "So you're

be

company's board wives

deal hinges on

looked at the older

complicate a deal that should've been

to her. that crowd started meddling in company decisions, everything would get messy. That's why Kay suddenly had so much sway over the partnership.

don't want to handle

set his cup down, voice low and steely. "You've always known Kay has her eye on Edwin and you know what she's capable of. So you know damn well I won't