Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 357

“No, just looked like you had something to get off your chest.” Rupert took his time, casually flicking ash from his cigarette.

Tristan’s frown deepened as he fixed a steady gaze on Rupert.

He desperately wanted to read his son’s mind, but the more he looked, the more it felt like trying to peer through a cloud of smoke.

But since they’d come this far, there was no use pretending anymore.

“Uncle Charles and Uncle Steven really dropped the ball on this one. Find some excuse and get those folks out. And as for Sylvia—make sure she keeps her mouth shut. Last thing we need is the Garcia Group’s reputation getting dragged through the mud.”

Rupert flicked the glowing tip of his cigarette with a smirk. “Is it really Sylvia hurting the Garcia Group’s reputation, or is it someone else?”

Tristan clicked his tongue. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rupert didn’t bother to answer. He simply tapped his phone, playing a recording—Sylvia’s voice echoing in the room.

The longer Tristan listened, the darker his expression grew.

Rupert sounded almost bored. “Why would those two keep tabs on Sylvia? She’s never done a thing to them.”

A chill ran down Tristan’s spine. He suddenly realized Rupert knew a heck of a lot more than he let on.

“That’s enough!” Tristan snapped, hands behind his back. “If you’re dead set against letting them go, fine. But the mine accident going public has already hit the Garcia Group hard.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. Before you even got here, I already had the lawyers and PR team reach out to the families about compensation. We’ve issued an apology statement, and I’ll personally oversee the mine’s restructuring. Public opinion isn’t as bad as you think—folks seem pretty satisfied with how I’m handling things.”

With that, Rupert stubbed out his cigarette and gave Tristan an icy stare.

Tristan sucked in a breath and let out a cold laugh. “Well, well. Half a cup of poison, whole cup of antidote. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

To pull all that off so fast, Rupert must have been planning long before he came to Mountain City.

It looked like the Garcia Group had taken a hit, but truth was, Rupert got exactly what he wanted—including the mine.

Rupert’s voice was cool, almost detached. “Dad, I’m a businessman.”

Tristan’s jaw tensed. “Oh yeah? What about Sylvia—pulling the wool over your own family’s eyes, is that just business, too?”

“You’re overthinking it.” Rupert didn’t answer directly. He glanced at the door. “Orson, see that Tristan gets back to his hotel.”

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