Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 260

Sylvia felt a familiar presence and immediately began to struggle.

The arm around her waist only tightened, pulling her firmly against a man’s chest, making her back flush with heat. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing, each movement sending a wave of inexplicable fear through her.

Suddenly, a deep, authoritative voice murmured in her ear, “Who told you to come alone? Do you really think you can just walk out of here?”

Sylvia tugged at the arm around her waist, protesting, “Uncle Rupert, since when did you become the guardian of the beach? Let me go!”

The man behind her took a deep breath but didn’t argue. In the next moment, he released her. She tried to dart away, but she was a second too late.

He grabbed her and tossed her onto the couch.

Before she could react, he pinned her down with his weight. Underneath his sharp suit, every muscle was taut and unyielding, pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

His breath fell hot against her face, igniting a flush of heat.

She attempted to lift her arms in protest, but Rupert pinned them beside her head. In her struggle, the sleeve of her blouse, already torn, slipped down her shoulder, exposing her skin.

Today, she was wearing a sky-blue off-the-shoulder blouse paired with dark jeans. The sleeves were wide, and now, nearly ripped off, they revealed the strap of her bra.

Humiliated, she tried to pull her sleeve back up, but Rupert’s large hand pressed down, his palm hot against her skin.

“Did he do this?”

His voice was low, carrying an undercurrent of anger and a chilling possessiveness that was hard to ignore.

Sylvia held her breath, her lips pressed tightly together, her body still trembling from her escape from Hilbert’s clutches.

Rupert glanced at her pale lips and frowned. “Where’s your coat?”

“It’s gone,” she replied, not elaborating on how it had happened.

She lowered her eyes, frowning, as memories of what Hilbert had tried to do made her stomach churn with revulsion. Just yesterday, he had seemed like a friendly, smiling family friend, but in his mind, he harbored nothing but vile intentions...

Sylvia quickly sat up, trying to fix her sleeve when a jacket dropped onto her shoulder.

Looking up, she saw Rupert in a crisp white shirt and a perfectly tailored black waistcoat that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Rupert’s voice was cold as he instructed, “Sit at the table.”

Confused but compliant, Sylvia got up and moved to the table.

Rupert followed, sitting down just as the door swung open.

Hilbert stopped short, his anger fading into a smile as he saw Rupert. “Mr. Rupert, what a coincidence.”

Rupert calmly ladled some soup, his expression unruffled. “Mr. Carmen, you seem in a hurry. Hungry?”

Hilbert’s eyes shifted, chuckling as he replied, “Yes, quite hungry, but the dish I ordered hasn’t arrived. You know how frustrating that is? When a man’s starving, he’s capable of anything.”