Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 480

Living room.

Everyone else had already left.

Rupert put down his phone and lit a cigarette with a cool indifference.

Tristan turned to look at him. “Was it you who brought Lester here?”

“No.” Rupert’s voice was flat, almost distant. “Didn’t I already do exactly what you asked?”

“You—” Tristan glared, his brow furrowing.

Rupert flicked his ash into the tray, his icy eyes narrowing just a bit. “Dad, don’t get worked up. Take care of yourself.”

With that, he turned and walked off.

Tristan was so furious he nearly lost his footing—thank goodness the butler hurried forward to steady him.

“You alright, sir?”

“That troublemaker can’t be allowed to stay! Go!” Tristan growled, jaw clenched.

“But, Mr. Edwin—” the butler started, clearly anxious.

“Haven’t you heard the saying ‘out with the old, in with the new’? Men are all the same in the end.”

Tristan let out a cold, bitter laugh.

“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it right away.”

…

On the way back, Sylvia stayed silent, her fingers clenched tightly around her bottle of water.

Suddenly, Lester reached over and gently took the bottle from her hands. He twisted the cap open and handed it back.

“Here. Take a drink. Might help calm your nerves.”

Sylvia nodded and took a sip before realizing she hadn’t thanked him.

“Mr. Sanford, thank you for earlier. But I swear, my mom and I never switched out the real thing for a fake.”

“I believe you,” Lester said quietly, but with conviction.

Sylvia was caught off guard. The words she’d been about to say just melted away.

She managed a small smile.

But the more she smiled, the more bitter she felt inside.

So trust could be this simple? No one rushing to judge her, no accusations right off the bat.

Sylvia lowered her head, her eyes blurring with tears she didn’t want anyone to see.

Lester reached out and gently patted her head. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

Sylvia wanted to believe that too.

On the other side of the bed, Edwin tried to sound upbeat. “Sylvia, don’t panic. The doctor said she didn’t hurt anything vital—just a concussion. She’ll wake up.”

He clung to Naomi’s hand like a lifeline, never letting go.

Sylvia bit her lip, eyes stinging, knowing deep down this hadn’t been some random accident.

Naomi was out cold. No way to testify.

So that $300,000—she and her mom would be the ones to take the fall for it.

How could they be so ruthless?

Why did it have to be this cruel?

The door swung open. Rupert and Tristan strode in, trailing a small entourage.

Behind them were Reese and Kay.

Edwin was the first to react. He looked straight at his assistant, demanding, “Didn’t I tell you to bring in everyone who was there at the house? Where are they?”

“Mr. Edwin…” The assistant looked flustered, eyes darting nervously toward Tristan.

Tristan folded his arms behind his back, frowning as he glanced at Naomi on the bed. “I let them go. If they can’t even care for someone properly, what’s the point keeping them around?”

Edwin’s nostrils flared. “You let them go—or did you just make them disappear?”

Tristan’s expression darkened. “Is that really your tone with me? I’m only trying to stand up for Naomi here, aren’t I?”