Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 686

Dragging him down.

Sylvia desperately scrambled for a reason to throw his words back in his face.

But as she peeled back the layers of everything that had happened, she realized the entire situation was already a hopelessly tangled mess.

Seeing her silence, Tristan continued, "Did you honestly think I wanted to waste my time dealing with you? You only have yourself to blame. You never should have crossed that red line."

It always came back to the mistake of that one night.

Sylvia had nothing to say. She truly had acted out of her own selfish desires that night.

But ever since then, she had tried everything in her power to break away from the Garcia family. They were the ones who refused to let her go.

Tristan saw right through her thoughts. He let out a stubborn, contemptuous laugh.

"Sylvia, don't think I can't see exactly what you're doing. Playing dumb with me while stringing Rupert along behind my back. You're just like your mother—a parasite."

"Your mother already ruined one of my sons. I will never allow you to destroy Rupert."

Sylvia wasn't surprised by his assessment in the slightest. She had known for years that Tristan despised them both.

She looked away and scoffed. "Save that speech for Rupert."

She was no longer the teenage girl desperate to please him and earn his approval.

Nor was she the pathetic woman who suffered silently in her past life.

His words couldn't hurt her anymore.

Sylvia turned around. Her blatant disregard infuriated Tristan.

He slammed his palm onto the overbed table. The loud bang echoed through the room, halting Sylvia in her tracks.

"Insolent brat!" he roared. "What right do you have to compare yourself to Reese? Her entire family will elevate Rupert's status. And you?"

"You will only turn him into a laughingstock. Let me spell it out for you, Sylvia: you aren't even worth as much as a cripple."

All she could do was grip the bed rails tightly to maintain a facade of composure.

Tristan swept a careless glance over her face before abruptly shifting gears.

"Since you survived this time, consider yourself lucky. I'll allow you to stay with Rupert."

"What?" Sylvia stared at him in utter shock.

"You want me to be his mistress?" Sylvia asked, horrified.

Tristan shot her a sidelong glance. "What else? Did you think you'd actually marry him? Don't push your luck, Sylvia."

Sylvia let out a harsh laugh. "Don't worry, I know my place. I couldn't possibly accept such an 'honor.'"

She turned on her heel and walked out. She couldn't stomach another second in that room.