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."

I felt like something was missing-now that Sylvia's officially on board, she can surely sponsor

turned expectantly to

point making a fuss over a bottle of wine, Sylvia thought. She stood up. "I'll ask

wine list is just for the usual stuff. I heard Mr. Rupert had a gorgeous wine cellar built just for Paradise Pavilion. That's

"Nope," Sylvia replied flatly.

should pick

a little push toward the door just as a

set her up. Now, there was no backing out; she

crossed her

...

the waiter down a long corridor. Outside, the moonlight shimmered on the lake, casting

moment to watch the rippling water, but the sight left her feeling

away, she turned a corner-just

headlong with a man

his hand and hit the floor ther rolled with a

had

before ale

the pillar beside her, blocking her

s

tall frame loomed over her like a mountain, cutting off her

didn't even have to look up to know who it

her lip, instinctively trying to turn away, but another arm blocked her on

Nowhere to run.