Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 618

The sudden noise made Sylvia jump.

Her grip on the kitchen knife slipped, and the blade nicked her finger.

Bright red blood welled up, dripping onto the lettuce and staining the crisp green leaves.

She reached for the faucet to rinse her hand, but Rupert caught her wrist firmly.

“Careful. You don’t want that getting infected.”

He cradled her hand gently, turning away to grab some gauze. He dabbed at the wound, wrapping it with practiced ease.

“Thanks, but I can handle it,” Sylvia replied, trying to pull her hand away. “Reese is here.”

She’d noticed Reese standing at the kitchen doorway, looking in with mournful eyes. Feeling awkward, Sylvia tried to put some distance between herself and Rupert, tugging her hand back.

But Rupert just held on tighter. “Don’t move.”

Sylvia blinked in surprise.

Didn’t he hear her?

Reese was here.

He used to never ignore Reese like this.

Reese seemed to notice the change too. The color drained from her face, and she swayed unsteadily, clutching the doorframe before collapsing to the floor.

“Reese!” Sylvia shouted, panic tightening her voice.

Before the sound had even faded, Rupert was already at Reese’s side.

He helped her up with swift efficiency, rummaging through her purse for medication.

He dumped everything out onto the floor, but there wasn’t a single pill bottle among the mess.

“Where’s your medicine?” he demanded, clearly worried.

Reese could barely breathe, her eyes wide as she clung desperately to Rupert’s shirt.

“It… hurts…”

Sylvia hurried over to help, though she had no idea what was really wrong. The only thing she remembered was Reese once mentioning awful phantom pain in her leg.

Assuming that was the problem, Sylvia blurted, “I’ll get some painkillers—”

The hallway was crowded. Lester and his group were there, along with Tristan, who’d been admitted earlier.

Everyone stared at Sylvia, each face wearing a different expression.

Before she could say a word, Kay pushed through the crowd and swung at her, aiming a slap at her cheek.

But before Kay’s hand could land, Sylvia caught her wrist.

Kay froze, shocked, then snapped, “You shameless witch! How dare you show your face here? Are you happy now that you’ve upset Reese this much? What are you even after?”

Sylvia squeezed Kay’s wrist. She might not have been strong enough to stop a grown man, but Kay was no match for her.

Kay clearly hadn’t expected Sylvia to fight back and looked momentarily stunned.

Sylvia took the chance to shove her away.

But before she could catch her breath, a loud slap echoed through the hallway.

Tristan had stepped forward, and Sylvia, running on instinct, raised her hand to block his blow.