Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 533

So that’s how it is.

Her thick lashes shadowed her eyes, and she said coldly, “I don’t like it.”

In the end, Reese just ordered a chicken pot pie.

Yves had to remind the waitress three times before their food came out first.

Reese served a bowl to everyone—everyone except Sylvia.

She took a bite, leaned closer to Rupert, and whispered, “Not as good as the one you make.”

“Yeah,” Rupert replied in his usual, nonchalant tone.

Sylvia stayed quiet, but across the table, Mrs. Hanson was starting to look annoyed.

“Sylvia, you really need to eat more meat. How else are you going to have healthy kids someday?”

“Here, here, let me get you a nice juicy piece. Don’t say the Hansons don’t treat you well.”

Sylvia frowned. “No, thank you.”

But Mrs. Hanson wasn’t listening. She slapped a big, greasy hunk of roast pork right into Sylvia’s bowl.

Yves shot her a sideways glance. “Just do what my mom says.”

Sylvia pressed her lips together, noticing everyone else’s reactions—some smug, some indifferent, some quietly amused.

The Hansons, lording it over her with their so-called generosity.

Reese asked Rupert to pass her some of her favorite veggies.

Kay sat there with a sly smile, as if silently asking Sylvia, “So, what do you think of the family I picked for you?”

Sylvia stared at the fatty meat, her stomach churning.

She set down her fork and napkin and stood up. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.

In the bathroom, Sylvia took a deep breath and splashed her face with cold water.

When she looked up, she wasn’t alone in the mirror anymore.

Kay had followed her in, closing the distance with quiet footsteps. “You’re finally learning your place.”

Kay knew everything. Kay and Rupert were definitely working together.

All those explanations at the hospital had just been to keep her calm and compliant.

Sylvia clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, and forced the words out: “A hundred-million-dollar deal?”

“Didn’t expect you to know that,” Kay replied, a little surprised, but shrugged it off, assuming Yves had spilled the beans.

Sylvia closed her eyes, her whole body trembling.

Kay gave a short, mocking laugh. “Just behave yourself. I’m not family, so don’t expect me to be sentimental about you and Edwin.”

With that, she raised her brows and strutted out.

Sylvia opened her eyes, red-rimmed but strangely calm, and wiped away the tears that refused to fall.

Her phone buzzed twice.

Chris had sent her exactly what she’d asked for.

Reading the message, Sylvia felt the tears she’d tried so hard to hold back finally fall, heavy and silent.