Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Fiona and Warren stood there, heads bowed, all traces of previous arrogance

long gone.

On the other side were Edwin and Naomi, both looking rather grim.

Naomi gave Sylvia a cautious look, signaling her to proceed.

Sylvia quickly stepped forward with a gift box, greeting Tristan politely, "Tristan, sorry to bother you today. I brought you a little something. I hope you like it."

"Hmm, you shouldn't have," Tristan replied, barely glancing at the gift box, clearly uninterested.

However, he appreciated Sylvia's acknowledgment of her place. A guest should always know their role, and she clearly did.

He waved a hand at the butler, who promptly took the gift away without even asking what it was.noveldrama

Sylvia had expected this indifference from Tristan and felt no disappointment. She quietly moved to stand next to Naomi, content to blend into the background.

The room grew quieter, the tension in the air palpable.

Suddenly, Fiona dropped to her knees at Tristan's feet, clutching his sleeve. "Dad, I was wrong. I promise I won't do it again. Please, help us out, for the sake of our family."

Tristan, a man who had long been a force in the business world, was unmoved by such pleas. He simply nudged Fiona aside with his foot.

"Look at you! I warned you from the start not to waste your efforts on your own family's schemes. Your useless brother was never going to amount to anything."

"You and your son have always been ungrateful! If it weren't for Rupert seeing through your plans and turning the tables, you'd have walked all over me!"

As he finished speaking, the butler handed him a freshly brewed cup of tea to help him calm down. Tristan sipped his tea, casting a casual glance at Sylvia.

Sylvia felt the weight of Tristan's gaze but kept her head down, her face turning pale, her fingers digging into her palms.

His words were meant for her. Tristan and Rupert had known all along that Warren was using her.

A neat little trap. No wonder they invited her over for dinner.

What could be more devastating than hearing firsthand how you were played?

Warren watched as Fiona fell, stepping forward to help her, glaring at Tristan with a hint of resentment.

"Grandfather, why do you treat us like this? Just because my father is gone, does that make us unimportant?"

"Is that the way you speak to me? Your mother knows she's wrong and is on her knees. As a grandson, you dare to defy me? Perhaps the Garcia family doesn't deserve to be part of the Carmen family!"

Tristan's eyes flicked over Warren as he sipped his tea. His authoritative tone was enough to make Warren understand.

Apologies needed to be sincere.

If Warren wanted to keep his place as the eldest of the Garcia family he had to swallow his pride. Otherwise, he risked being drowned along with the Carmen Group. fo

Warren's fists clenched, his eyes red with humiliation, as he slowly bent his knees.

Fiona's face went white as she desperately tried to stop him, shouting, "No, you are the heir of the Garcia family. You can't kneel! It's not your fault!"

Warren pushed her aside, one knee hitting the floor.

Fiona collapsed, trembling, tears

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streaming down her face, and caught a glimpse of the scarf around Sylvia's neck. Her eyes blazed with a last glimmer of hope.

Like a woman possessed, she lunged at Sylvia.

"You witch! Seducing men everywhere!"

"Dad! She's involved with Rupert! It's all her fault!"