Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 545

Rupert shot a frosty glance at the two people in the car with him.

The stoplight was red for ninety seconds—long enough for Sylvia and Lester to say a lot to each other.

The last time Sylvia had talked to him that much was back at the lake house, when she’d tricked him.

As soon as the light turned green, Sylvia disappeared around the corner without a backward glance.

Rupert frowned and rubbed his temples, feeling the familiar ache.

Orson noticed and asked, “Mr. Rupert, want me to pull over and grab your meds?”

Ever since the fire at the lake house, Rupert had been getting these headaches, though the doctors said nothing was actually wrong.

Chris kept insisting it was stress, that he was pushing himself too hard.

Rupert just stared out the window, silent, absently fiddling with his wedding band. He used to twist it as a reminder of responsibility. Somewhere along the way, it just became something to fidget with while he zoned out.

They pulled up to the Garcia estate. The butler was out front, directing staff as they hauled luggage around.

Rupert only had to glance over before he realized those were his own bags from the apartment in Soho Bay.

His voice was icy. “What’s going on?”

The butler shrank back a little from Rupert’s chill. “Uh, Mr. Rupert, I—”

“I told them to move it,” came Tristan’s stern voice from the front hallway.

Rupert looked to Orson, who gave a subtle nod. Only then did Rupert head toward Tristan.

“Staff are all back at work tomorrow, and there’s a lot to handle,” Tristan said briskly. “It’s not convenient for you to be running all over town.”

Tristan shot him a glare. “Did you forget you’re getting married in a month? Living alone in SoHo and ignoring your fiancée—what’s that supposed to mean?”

He turned and strode into the living room. Rupert’s face was unreadable as he followed, but his eyes were dark and hard.

Rupert stood and straightened his sleeves, his handsome features cold as winter. “You don’t look well. Get some rest. I’m heading out.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I went through all this trouble to move your stuff!”

“Then move it back.”

Without another word, Rupert turned and walked out.

By the time he reached the driveway, Orson already had the staff loading Rupert’s bags back into the car.

Inside, the butler came rushing in with a helpless shrug. “Mr. Rupert’s left.”

Tristan slammed his coffee cup down, fuming. “Tell Kay to speed things up. Looks like Rupert’s slipping out of my control.”

“Yes, sir.”