Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

The rain pattered gently against the window.

Edwin hurried inside, just in time to bump into Sylvia.

"Edwin."

"You're here. Why are you standing at the door? Come in and have a seat."

"Edwin, I saw you heading to the chapel earlier with Mom. Is everything alright?" Sylvia asked cautiously.

Edwin glanced at her and let out a soft sigh. "Sylvia, if you really want answers, you should take a trip to see Rupert. You'll find what you're looking for there."

There was something in his eyes, a hint of suggestion.

Sylvia's heart skipped a beat, her knees felt weak, and she reached out to grip the doorframe, her fingers digging into the wood, yet she felt no pain.

She pondered for a few seconds before shaking her head.

"Never mind, it's not necessary."noveldrama

Whatever happened at the chapel, no matter how complicated, she had achieved her goal.

This time, Rupert would certainly face significant losses.

Edwin had noticed the changes in Sylvia lately, his voice filled with curiosity, "Sylvia, what's going on with you? Why do you have such a problem with Rupert? He's not as bad as you think."

"Edwin, stop."

Sylvia avoided his gaze and turned away.

Edwin, with a hint of regret in his voice, said, "Rupert's no fool. You suddenly appearing at the Garcia Group, he's not oblivious."

Hearing this, Sylvia froze, her fingers twisting together until they turned white.

She admitted that yesterday had gone remarkably smoothly, and even Rupert's attitude towards her seemed different.

Rupert had asked her a lot of strange questions.

Like whether she was there just to see him.

Thinking about it, Sylvia lowered her gaze, feeling a bit lost.

At this moment, Naomi came over with a tray of cookies and gestured toward the umbrella stand by the door.

"The umbrella's right there, don't get caught in the rain again."

"I didn't say I was leaving," Sylvia replied.

Naomi ignored her, handed Edwin a steaming cup of chamomile tea, and led him further inside.

"My daughter, I know her well. Sorry about that."

Edwin nodded, stealing a glance back, only to find the doorway empty of Sylvia's figure.

...

Moments later, Sylvia stood gripping the handle of her umbrella outside Rupert's estate.

She listened to the raindrops tapping against the umbrella, unsettling her previously calm heart like ripples on a lake.

Her knuckles whitened and relaxed. She looked down, turned, and prepared to leave.

She still didn't know how to face Rupert.

"Ms. Lloyd." Orson appeared, carrying a bag stained with bloody gauze, a jarring sight.

Sylvia's breath caught as she fixed her eyes on the bag.

Following her gaze, Orson noticed the bloodied gauze protruding from the bag and spoke with frustration, "Is this what you wanted, Ms Lloyd?"

Sylvia pressed her lips together, unsure of how to respond.

As Rupert's assistant, Orson knew what to say and what not to say.

Yet this time, he couldn't keep his emotions in check and stepped quickly to block Sylvia's path.

"Mr. Rupert has helped you so much behind the scenes, why betray him?"

"Helped me? By siding with Bridget against me? Forcing me to

compromise time and again with his fiancée! What did I do to deserve this? Or am I just a stepping stone in their love story?" Sylvia retorted.

"That's because..."

"Orson." A low, cool voice interrupted from the second floor.

Sylvia tilted her umbrella and looked up, rainwater splashing into her eyes and

blurring the figure at the window above.

He stood shirtless, his perfect physique pale, arms braced against the window ledge, a cigarette

glowing between his fingersvel?

He seemed like someone untouchable, yet as if he might vanish at any moment.