Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"What?"

"I heard Grandpa's been getting tougher on you. Are you still willing to leave with me?" Warren's eyes were earnest, searching Sylvia's face.

Sylvia set down her coffee cup and glanced at him he clearly wasn't going to get much out of her. She decided to stay polite. "I'm finished. Let's go."

She stood up to leave, but Warren suddenly grabbed her wrist.

She winced, staring at him-there was something strange and stormy in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

Warren stood as well, sighing. He glanced at her collar, then gave a crooked smile. "Just so you know, your shirt's inside out."

"Oh." Sylvia glanced down at her collar as he fixed it for her, then turned sharply and headed for the door.

...

Across town.

Bailey propped her chin on her hand, staring at a plate of roast chicken and mashed potatoes. She barely had an appetite, thanks to the sour-faced man sitting across from her.

"Mr. Rupert, aren't you going to check on them? Your niece is pretty gutsy, still hanging around Warren."

"I heard he sold off the family's secret recipe. And now he's been offloading shares of the family company under the table. Looks like he's digging a hole for you before he skips town."noveldrama

Rupert poured himself some tea, utterly unbothered. "Let's see who he sells to, shall we?"

Bailey paused, then grinned in understanding. "Guess it's a game of cat and mouse, huh? Still, I've met a lot of men, but the first time I met Warren, he gave me the creeps. Sylvia doesn't stand a chance against him."

She actually liked Sylvia, so she couldn't help but say a bit more.

Rupert set down his cup, expression unreadable, and stood. "I'm heading out for a bit. Help yourself to dinner."

Once he left, Bailey waved her assistant over. "What was the name of that actor last time? Have him come over and join me for dinner."

"Aren't you waiting for Mr. Rupert?" the assistant asked cautiously.

"Like heck I am. Don't trust a word out of that man's mouth!"

...

When Warren walked Sylvia downstairs, she deliberately slowed her pace-she didn't really want him coming up.

She was searching for a way to say goodbye when her neighbor, Mrs. Ward, came home.

"Sylvia, you're back! And this is...?"

Mrs. Ward's eyes lit up; she must have mistaken Warren for Rupert, the man Sylvia had once introduced with a blindfold.

Sylvia hurried to clarify, "Oh, Mrs. Ward, don't get any ideas-this is—"

Warren smiled warmly and extended his hand. "I'm Sylvia's big brother. Nice to meet you."

Mrs. Ward blushed in embarrassment and reached to shake his hand, but Sylvia quickly grabbed her arm.

"Mrs. Ward, I actually have something for you upstairs. Come on."

She waved at Warren. "Take care!"

And with that, she practically dragged Mrs. Ward toward the elevator.

In the elevator, Mrs. Ward tried to tease her again, but Sylvia changed the subject in a flash. "You're home early today, Mrs. Ward! No overtime?"

Mrs. Ward's cheeks turned pink. "No, someone gave me a ride home."

"A boyfriend?" Sylvia asked, grinning.

"Not quite I'm still thinking it over. But he's sweet-and a doctor, if you can believe it." Mrs. Ward said she was undecided, but her voice was pure sugar.

Sylvia's smile faltered at the word 'doctor,' but she didn't say anything.

At her door, Mrs. Ward mentioned she'd made a whole batch of ravioli over the

weekend—she'd bring some by for Sylvia later.

Sylvia had just bought a small gift to thank Mrs. Ward for all the food she shared so they agreed to exchange goodies soon. Sylvia let herself into her apartment.

She barely had a minute to herself before the doorbell rang.

She swung the door open and, seeing who stood outside, tried to slam it shut.

Too late-he caught the door, and in the struggle, she stumbled right into his chest.

Of course, that's when Mrs. Ward walked out of her apartment.

Mrs. Ward stared at the man, wide-eyed. "Sylvia, is he... another one of your relatives?"

"Yes."

"No."