Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

She shot Rupert a string of numbers, then swiped left and deleted the chat.

Fiona's eyes looked like they were about to roll back in her head before Sylvia finally released her grip.

Honestly, Sylvia wanted to strangle Fiona right then and there.

But this was a new life, a fresh start. She'd promised Stella she'd be different this time.

There was no way she'd let someone like Fiona ruin the rest of her life.

As soon as Fiona broke free, she started shrieking like a banshee, "Help! Somebody help me!"

Before the words even faded, the door burst open. Warren, his arm freshly bandaged, stormed in with a couple of bodyguards in tow.

He yanked Sylvia away. "Sylvia, calm down! If it weren't for Rupert, my mother and I wouldn't be in this mess. He forced us into this!"

Sylvia went instantly quiet, her face draining of what little color it had left. She glared at Warren, her eyes burning red at the corners.

"You knew? You were in on this?"

Warren's mouth dropped open he clearly hadn't meant to let that slip.

Fiona, still rubbing her neck, spat out, "Of course he knew! He's the one who handed you over to Rupert in the first place!"

Breath hitching, Sylvia stared at Warren and struggled in his arms.

"You said you cared about me. But you used me to bargain for power? Warren, what kind of man are you?"

"Shut up! I never looked down on you, so who are you to judge me? Sylvia, I'm all you've got now!"

Some switch must've flipped in Warren. The fake kindness vanished, replaced by a twisted, furious look that revealed every ugly thing inside him.

He shoved Sylvia hard, knocking her to the floor.

She stared up at him, terrified. He looked like a stranger-no, worse.

Warren took a deep breath, then plastered on his usual smile.

"Sylvia, I'm sorry. That was an accident. Here, let me help you up."

"Don't touch me!"

Sylvia scrambled away, putting several feet between them.

Warren's eyes went cold; he dropped the act. "Fine. Cool off, then. We're almost there anyway."

He grabbed Fiona's phone and helped her out, closing the door behind him.

The click of the lock echoed, and Sylvia collapsed to the floor, completely drained.noveldrama

She had no idea how much time

passed before the door opened again. Warren was back, and a attendant handed her a thick winter coat.

swnlight

Ignoring her protests, Warren dragged her out of the cabin.

Outside, snowflakes swirled in the air, blanketing everything in white. Sylvia just stood there, numb, as Warren led her to a waiting car.

The car stopped outside a big red house, its yard strung with Christmas lights.

Warren squeezed Sylvia's hand and gave her a soft, almost sincere smile. "Merry Christmas, Sylvia."

As they got closer to the house, a deep, bone-chilling fear settled over Sylvia. She felt like a monster was waiting for her inside.

Hospital.

Naomi's face was clouded with worry when the hospital room door slammed open.

She jumped, heart racing, and looked up just as a dark shadow loomed over her.

"What does this mean?"

Rupert shoved his phone in Naomi's face.

His cold, threatening aura made Naomi freeze, her mind going blank.

Rupert's patience snapped. "Talk!"

Naomi flinched, then looked at the phone screen. "5055, 5055..."

She repeated it, but her mind was still spinning. And then she saw the contact

name.

"Fiona! Was it her? Did she take Sylvia? Was it her?!"

Her panic spiked—she totally forgot about the numbers.

Rupert narrowed his eyes, radiating a terrifying kind of authority.

Seeing things about to spiral, Edwin Garcia hurried over and wrapped a comforting arm around Naomi "Naomi, calm down. Just answer Rupert's question."

Naomi took a few shaky breaths. "It's a code between me and Sylvia. 505 means. 'I'm in danger, help me The last number is supposed to be a clue to where she is, but we never even decided what 4 meant. So how did a 5 get there?"