Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"Ms. Langley, you have to tell us who told you this. Slandering my mom is bad enough, but dragging the Garcia family into it? That's a big deal. What if people start saying stuff like 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'? How is Tristan supposed to show his face in public after that?"

With every word, Sylvia took a step closer to Fay.

Fay had never seen Sylvia like this before. She stumbled back in confusion, bumping right into a display rack of costume jewelry.

"You... you..."

She stammered for a while, but couldn't seem to come up with a comeback.

But Sylvia just kept up her act, looking as if she trusted Fay completely.

"Ms. Langley, we're colleagues, and you're Reese's good friend, so I really trust your character. I'm only asking because I don't want you to accidentally get on the Garcia family's bad side."

Fay sucked in a sharp breath.

All she'd wanted was to rile up Sylvia and Naomi, embarrass them in front of the Sanford family. How had this turned into her being at odds with the Garcias?

And somehow, Sylvia had managed to say both the good and the bad, leaving Fay with nothing to add.

desperate glance

something out, and quickly stepped in with a smile

never dealt with someone like you before you've scared her

the implication was clear: Sylvia was

played along, clutching her chest and nodding like she was truly

the case, shouldn't we work even harder to clear their name? The Garcias have ha spotless reputation for generations-you can't just throw dirt on it. If you're defending Ms. Langley, does that

smile faltered

and make everyone uncomfortable," she said, trying to widen the scope of

earlier theatrics

how can you say that? Does the Garcia family's reputation mean so

forgotten Reese is

marry Mr.

clear this up? Otherwise, how could the Sanford. their family possibly let their

the Garcia relatives in the room sit up straight. With the wedding just around the corner and everyone watching, any scandal

"Ms. Lloyd's got quite the silver tongue. Even as an elder, I can't out-argue her. Let's just let it

not-so-subtle jab, implying Sylvia was