Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Edwin took a deep breath, but something still didn't sit right with him.

"Sylvia, why are you telling me all this out of the blue?"

"You'll see in a minute. Come on, let's go eat."

Sylvia flashed a small smile, relieved to have finally gotten something off her chest.

No matter what happened from now on, Edwin knew he'd always look out for Naomi after this.

...

The Restaurant

The moment they stepped inside, it was like someone had hit the mute button on the whole place.

People's eyes peeled away from their phones, turning sharp and judgmental as they landed on Sylvia.

Their looks said everything Tristan had just been trying to get across.

"See? Told you she was that kind of girl."

Before Sylvia could move forward, Naomi came rushing over, clutching her phone.

"Sylvia, that stuff online isn't true, right? There's no way you're some rich guy's mistress?"

Sylvia dropped her gaze to the phone screen.

The headline practically punched her in the face.

"Garcia Family Stepdaughter Ms. Sylvia Kept by Mystery Man."

In the photo, Sylvia had her arms wrapped around a man, kissing him passionately.

You couldn't see his face-just his back-but their closeness told its own story.

Sylvia looked away and slowly stepped forward, locking eyes with the man at the head table.

Their gazes met-his eyes were dark, unreadable, like storm clouds about to burst.

It was only a few paces away, yet it felt like there was a canyon between them.

Sylvia curved her lips into a smile.

Happy New Year, Rupert. This is my present for you.

She'd spent hours crafting that headline herself. With the "Garcia” name attached,

it was guaranteed to blow up.

Sylvia let out a cold little laugh. "It's true," she said, voice flat.

Suddenly, the whole place buzzed with whispers.

"She's shameless. How can she just admit it like that?"

"I knew she was trouble the day she moved in with the Garcias, dressed, Fall fla lashy and wild. No good from thenoveldrama

start." not

“She's an embarrassment! She's not even a real Garcia—she's just dragging us all down!"

Sylvia listened in silence, trying to look composed, even as the judgment in the air weighed down on her shoulders.

"Who did it?!"

Tristan shot to his feet, his voice booming through the restaurant.

He wasn't about to miss this chance to get rid of Sylvia.

But Sylvia didn't answer right away. She glanced sideways at Rupert—she wanted to see what he'd do now.

He'd tried to force her hand before. Now she'd force him to make a choice, right in front of everyone.

Seconds ticked by. Rupert's jaw was rigid, his eyes dark as ever, storm brewing behind them.

People are complicated, and Sylvia was no exception.

For a split second, she thought he'd stand up for her.

But then Reese reached out and took his hand, and just like that, the storm in Rupert's eyes died down, leaving Sylvia drowning in the shame and scorn around her

She straightened her back, blinking away the sting in her eyes, and suddenly let out a sharp, almost hysterical laugh.

"Who was it? Seriously? And what does it matter to you, Tristan? Or any of you?"

Calling Tristan out in front of everyone was enough to make his face turn purple with fury.

Now Rupert finally looked at her, cold and cutting. "Sylvia! That's enough!"

"Oh, is it? What, afraid I'll actually say something? Then why don't you just throw me out?"

Sylvia's voice trembled, raw and almost broken.

Tristan jabbed a finger at her, his voice tight with rage. "You really

think you matter? Get her out of here! From now on, Sylvia is no longer part of the Garcia fanuly. She's banned-forever!"

"Wait!"

Rupert suddenly stood and strode over, stopping right in front of Sylvia.

He grabbed her wrist.

Sylvia froze, looking up at him in shock.

His eyes were icy, tone pure command. "Go apologize."