Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 214

The next morning, a light, misty rain fell, as if the sky itself was sighing. It was the kind of rain that felt more like a cold whisper against your skin, and it made Sylvia shiver as she pulled her coat tighter around herself. She balanced a steaming bag of breakfast goodies—freshly baked croissants and warm coffee—in her hand as she made her way to the hospital. Just as she reached the entrance, her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket.

Naomi was calling, and she sounded frantic.

“Have you seen the news?”

“No, what’s up?” Sylvia replied, not overly concerned as she continued toward the elevator.

“You need to check it right now!”

This was the first time Naomi had ever spoken to her with such urgency, and it made Sylvia stop dead in her tracks. She fumbled with her phone, pulling up the trending news section.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and the breakfast bag slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground in a messy heap.

"The biggest deal of the year for the Garcia Group snatched by the Carmen Group!"

The Carmen Group.

Fiona Carmen.

How on earth did this happen?

Sylvia was sure she had arranged for Warren to sign the contract on behalf of the Garcia Group. How had it ended up with the Carmen Group instead?

Naomi's voice on the phone grew louder and more intense. “Sylvia, Edwin said you visited the Garcia Group. Did you have anything to do with this?”

“Mom…”

Sylvia's throat felt like sandpaper; she couldn’t even manage a coherent sentence. Her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the rest of Naomi's words. She had no idea when the call ended—her mind was reeling.

“Sylvia, I’m just looking out for you. It’s important to know your place, what you should and shouldn’t reach for. Besides, we both know you’re no saint, and it’s doubtful any man would be interested.”

Sylvia’s shoulders trembled slightly as if she’d been hit with a physical blow. Her mind buzzed, her stomach churned with nausea.

In her past life, Fiona had always been kind to Sylvia, even shedding tears when she saw her unhappy with Rupert. But now, Fiona was grinding Sylvia’s dignity into the dirt without a second thought.

Sylvia swallowed back her disgust, staring Fiona down with icy defiance. “Mrs. Fiona, Bailey and I have a bit of history. I’m sure she’d be very curious to know why the Rockfield family suddenly signed with your group.”

Fiona froze, her usually pale, sickly face twisting into something more menacing.

“Don’t you dare spread lies! The contract is signed. The Rockfield family’s partner is the Carmen Group, and that’s final!”

“And let’s not forget, Sylvia, you walked into this willingly. You offered to help Warren; no one forced you.”