Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 287

Tristan sat there with a stern look on his face, eyes fixed on Rupert, waiting for him to make a move.

Sylvia glanced down at her palm, red with blood, but she felt nothing. She was already too battered, too broken.

But the final blow was yet to come.

Rupert's gaze swept over Sylvia with the cold detachment of a winter wind, his expression as unreadable as a poker face in Vegas. "It's got nothing to do with me," he said.

Her palm, raw from the scrape of her wool coat, throbbed with a pain she had long grown numb to.

Warren seized the moment, wrapping a stiff arm around Sylvia and grinning. "Thanks, Uncle Rupert, for the opportunity."

Anyone looking from the outside might have thought Warren had deep feelings for Sylvia. But Sylvia knew better; his words were just another move in his game.

Unfortunately, Warren had miscalculated spectacularly. Rupert didn't care about her at all.

Tristan's gaze flickered between Sylvia and Warren, his previous anger at Sylvia's secret meetings with Rupert now replaced by something like resignation.

"You two? Never gonna happen. The Garcia family won't accept just anyone."

Just anyone?

Sylvia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, adding fresh pain to the old. She had no energy left to argue.

The chandelier's glow seemed to pierce through her, as if she might shatter at any moment.

They'd used her for all she was worth, disciplined her as they saw fit. It was time for her to leave the stage.

Sylvia looked down and said to the people gathered around the table, "I understand. I'll go now, won't interrupt your family dinner any longer."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Naomi, eyes glistening with unshed tears, quickly followed. "Sylvia!"

Tristan didn't seem to mind Sylvia's absence, merely waved his hand. "You all go ahead and eat. Rupert, I need a word."

...

In the study, Tristan sat down heavily, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Rupert, what do you propose we do about Sylvia and Warren?"

Rupert sat down leisurely and lit a cigarette, the smoke curling up between them. "Dad, there's no need to keep testing me like this."

Tristan was suspicious. "What do you mean?"