Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 506

Sylvia spent almost the entire holiday in a hospital bed.

The only thing that kept her sane was the company—Chris and Naomi kept her entertained with stories and gossip, and Lester would pop in pretty regularly too.

She definitely didn’t expect what happened next. The day she was finally getting discharged, while she and Naomi were packing up her things, Lester showed up—with a woman she didn’t recognize.

“Sylvia, hey! How are you feeling?” the woman greeted her, waving enthusiastically. Sylvia's gaze drifted to the wedding band on the woman's finger.

She offered a polite, puzzled smile. “Hi… and you are?”

The woman laughed, a little embarrassed. “Oh, right, your memory. I’m Reese—Lester’s sister. We used to be really close before, but I guess you don’t remember. I’ve been wanting to visit, but my brother here wasn’t having it.”

Lester rolled his eyes. “She’s here to recover, not to party. Besides, aren’t you drowning in wedding planning?”

Reese groaned dramatically. “Don’t even get me started. Who knew getting married meant drowning in checklists and seating charts? Thank God Mr. Rupert has been helping, or I’d have lost my mind by now. Though, sometimes I wonder if he’s got an ulterior motive…”

She sounded like she was complaining, but the happiness in her eyes gave her away.

Sylvia couldn’t help but smile, feeling a strange sense of relief as she replied, “I’ve heard a lot about you. My mom always said the nicest things. And congrats on your wedding!”

Reese blushed, hiding her face behind her hand. “You’re making me blush!”

Naomi grinned. “No need to be embarrassed. You really are amazing.”

The tension in the room melted away.

“Honestly, you guys didn’t have to come. I’m getting out today, there’s no need to fuss,” Sylvia said as she kept packing, steering the conversation away from herself.

Reese hesitated, then added, “Funny thing—Mr. Rupert is getting discharged today, too. He caught a nasty flu, kept running a fever that wouldn’t break. He’s finally better, so I thought I’d pick him up and swing by to see you.”

The room suddenly went quiet.

Sylvia zipped up her suitcase, looked up, and found everyone watching her a little too closely.

She frowned. “What’s up? Why are you all staring?”

Reese asked gently, “Mr. Rupert… You remember him?”

Behind him, his assistant Zion looked like he’d just swallowed a lemon. Free? The guy had a mountain of work waiting and was only supposed to be in Kingstoria for three days—this was day seven.

The things people do for love.

Sylvia walked out of the room with Lester, debating dinner options.

Suddenly, she felt a heavy gaze on her.

A man in a dark wool coat was walking down the hallway next to Chris. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had a quiet, dangerous energy about him.

Sylvia looked up and met the man’s icy blue eyes.

She didn’t look away—just studied him, curious. For a second, she thought his expression softened, a flicker of emotion breaking through.

But when she blinked, his face was calm and unreadable again.

Reese hurried over and linked arms with him. “Mr. Rupert, are you done talking with Dr. Chris?”