Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia had always believed that Rupert wanted nothing to do with her and her daughter, Stella. To protect Stella from any potential backlash, she made sure they kept their distance from him.

As Sylvia pondered this, a flash of lightning suddenly cut through the sky, casting an ominous shadow over the old chapel. The thunder that followed felt like a blow to her heart, leaving her with a sensation of blood rushing uncontrollably through her veins, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of panic.

When Sylvia snapped back to reality, she found herself in the yard, with Naomi gently toweling her damp hair.

"Go change into some dry clothes," Naomi suggested, only to realize Sylvia had moved out, leaving nothing behind to reassure Tristan.

With a hint of sadness in her eyes, Naomi said, "I'll fetch you something of mine to wear."noveldrama

Sylvia nodded numbly.

After changing, Naomi couldn't help but notice how pale Sylvia looked. Concerned, she offered, "I'll make you some ginger tea."

Sylvia quickly stopped her. "Mom, I'm okay. Did you call me over for something else?"

Naomi didn't answer right away. Instead, she handed Sylvia a steaming cup of chamomile tea and sighed softly.

"After you hung up, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, so I started asking around about the Carmen family."

"Turns out Fiona is quite the actress. She seems so gentle and unassuming but is actually very cunning behind the scenes."

"The Carmens have always had big ambitions. They tried to marry into the Garcia family, thinking it would elevate them. But when the eldest Carmen son made a bad investment and the family took a hit, Fiona started leeching off him. Even Tristan made some snide comments about her lack of restraint."

"When the eldest son died in a car accident, she conveniently fell ill, and everyone praised her deep devotion. The matter was dropped."

"With the eldest gone and her unwell, and Edwin not being leadership material, Rupert was given control."

Hearing this, Sylvia's grip on her teacup tightened, recalling Warren's bitter words.

"I don't even have a father anymore. Can you really say Rupert had nothing to do with it?"

Rupert, known for his leniency only towards Bridget, was ruthless with others, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals.

She bit her lip and whispered, "Mom, could Rupert have..."

"Shh, don't jump to conclusions," Naomi interrupted, softly explaining, "Do you think the Carmen family is innocent? Fiona's brother, now the CEO of the Carmen Group, has tried countless tricks to undercut Rupert. Rupert could easily destroy them financially if he wanted, but he's held back because they're family."

Naomi's words turned Sylvia's world upside down. Her memories of Fiona and the Carmen family had always been positive.

That was why she couldn't bear to see Fiona and Warren exiled abroad, unable to return.

But now, everything seemed reversed.

Still struggling to process, Sylvia asked, "Mom, are you sure about this? How come I never knew?"

"Of course, you didn't know. Fiona was under my nose, and I didn't realize. Who would openly discussz such things? It's all gossip from the Carmen Group's VIP room, where only high-level insiders can enter."

BUMS

Naomi kept her voice low, her hand covering her mouth.

Hearing this, Sylvia's eyes clouded with confusion, as if shrouded in mist.

The fact that the Carmen Group dared to compete with Rupert must have involved Warren's help.

No wonder Rupert kept Warren out of the Garcia Group's leadership circle.

As her mind wandered, a loud crash of thunder broke the silence,

prompting Sylvia to drop here.ne

and instinctively glance toward the chapel...