Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Edwin had insisted Rupert was studying his heart out overseas, always ahead of the curve with his coursework. If he was so busy, where did he find the time to chase women?

Paradise Pavilion.

When Sylvia and Fay stepped into the private dining room, the rest of their coworkers were already seated.

"Sylvia, Fay, come join us! What took you two so long?" someone called out.

Fay's face darkened, clearly embarrassed.

Sylvia quickly explained, "Ms. Langley just got back from abroad. She's not used to the roads yet."

No one seemed to mind. "Just keep driving and you'll get the hang of it. Now let's order—I'm starving!" one coworker said.

Sylvia grinned and took the menu. As Fay sat down, she leaned in and whispered sharply, "Don't think I owe you anything for covering for me. I can't stand girls like you-greedy and shameless."

Fay was clearly trying to get under Sylvia's skin, but Sylvia didn't bite. Instead, she turned to the others and started chatting about what to order.

Fay huffed, pulling out her phone and tapping away, clearly up to something.

Once the food was ordered, the mood around the table lightened, everyone laughing and joking.

Just then, Fay's phone lit up with a message. She stood and smiled. "Sylvia, it's such a great night-how can we not have some drinks? Why don't you pick out a bottle of wine for us?"

Before Sylvia could respond, a couple of the guys chimed in, "Ms. Langley always knows how to get a party started."

something was missing-now that Sylvia's officially on board, she can surely sponsor a bottle or

turned expectantly to

making a fuss over a bottle of wine, Sylvia thought. She stood up.

had a gorgeous wine

"Nope," Sylvia replied flatly.

grinned wider. "Even better. Since you're treating, you should pick out the wine yourself-plus you get to check out

just as a waiter appeared, gesturing politely. "Right this way,

up. Now, there was no backing out; she

crossed her arms and

...

corridor. Outside, the

rippling water, but the

away, she turned a corner-just as the

headlong with a man

black walking cane slipped from his hand and hit the floor ther rolled with a plurik straight into the

barely had time

happened before

the pillar beside

s

her like a mountain, cutting off her

have to look up

away, but another arm

Nowhere to run.