Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"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."

Orson opened the door and stepped forward, polite as ever. "Mr. Tristan, this way please."

Out in the hall, Tristan glanced at the red marks on his wrist-right as he ran into Bridget.

She shrank under his gaze and managed a nervous little smile. "Have a good night, Tristan."

He narrowed his eyes, sizing her up from head to toe.

"Three years by his side and you're still this useless."

Bridget bit her lip, eyes shiny with tears. "Tristan, I care about Mr. Rupert. I really do."

"Do you? That's sweet." Tristan's look was unreadable as he swept over her delicate features.

Back in the hospital room.

Naomi was setting out

emasi tatoes and

her who potatoes and roast s swollen cheek and st

she caught sight of

froze.

"Who did this? Who had the nerve to hit you?!"

"Tristan.” Sylvia answered quietly.

"He was here?" Naomi bit her lip, anxious and a little heartbroken. "Why didn't you just get out of the way?"noveldrama

Anyone else would've been furious at that, but Sylvia knew Naomi meant well.

Being with Edwin already put them at odds with the Garcia family. Add in Sylvia— well, that just made things worse.

When Sylvia was little, folks used

say Naomi should give her up f

tion, start over and find be of

a good man.

Naomi always told them to mind their own business.

So Sylvia never blamed her.

She took the cold washcloth Naomi handed her and tried to smile. “I

probably had this slapel

Maybe things will settle down for a while."

Naomi hesitated, wanting to ask why Rupert hadn't stepped in.

But Sylvia already knew the answer he just didn't see the point.