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.

shot a desperate glance at

out, and quickly

Fay's never dealt with someone like you before you've scared

was clear: Sylvia was being uncivilized, not acting like

her chest and nodding like she was truly

well, and you care about the Garcia family. If that's 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

faltered

make everyone uncomfortable," she said, trying to widen

Kay's earlier theatrics

the

you forgotten Reese

Mr.

the Sanford. their family possibly let their precious daughter marry into

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

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

implying Sylvia was