Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 556

Of course.

Sylvia had recognized Yves long ago—or rather, she recognized who he’d been in her previous life.

Back then, Yves was known as the most terrifying heir in high society.

It was all because Yves had been diagnosed with a rare superhuman syndrome as a child.

The Hanson family had spent years covering up his condition, throwing money at problems and making them disappear.

He’d hurt a lot of women. Some were paid off, and those who couldn’t be silenced with cash had their lives ruined by the Hanson family’s influence.

Everything changed when an anonymous source handed over a full chain of evidence, catching Yves red-handed just as he was about to strike again.

The news at the time released a few details.

Like the kind of lock he used to trap his victims.

So from the first day she saw Yves, Sylvia started teaching herself how to survive if she ever ended up in his clutches.

But the rest of the investigation was never made public.

No one knew exactly who Yves had hurt.

Or what really tied him to Kay.

Thinking back, Sylvia realized the details that were never released were probably erased by Rupert on purpose.

Otherwise, how would Kay have ended up happily married to her so-called “mystery husband,” living the good life overseas?

For the longest time, Sylvia had played along, desperate to understand the connection between Kay and the Hanson family.

Now, finally, she understood everything.

Except…what role did Edwin play in all this?

Lost in thought, Sylvia didn’t notice the cold voice behind her until it was too late.

“Ms. Winslet was right about you. I really shouldn’t have underestimated you. You let me catch you on purpose, didn’t you?”

Yves, who she thought had left, was suddenly back.

Panic shot through Sylvia. She dropped the lamp she’d been holding, plunging the room into darkness.

Relying on memory, she scrambled behind the operating table.

Sylvia listened as metal clinked against metal, her teeth chattering.

But panic wouldn’t save her now. She had to help herself.

Maybe Yves was in too much of a hurry, or maybe he’d just gotten careless—one of her hands wasn’t tied tight.

Sylvia wriggled, feeling the rope loosen. She needed more time.

So she started to stall.

“If I’m going to die, what’s a few more minutes?” she said, forcing her voice to sound casual. “This is your place anyway. How about letting me say a few words?”

Yves paused, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What could you possibly have to say? Begging’s not going to help you.”

“Not begging. I want to talk about you.” Sylvia took a shaky breath and kept going. “Is this how you dealt with all your girlfriends? Your wives, too?”

“Let me guess. You started off torturing animals. In college, you got interested in women. First, just a punch. Then you realized you could buy their silence.”

“Next thing you know, you put someone in the hospital. She tried to press charges, but your family paid her off. She even thought she’d struck it rich.”

“After that, you couldn’t stop. You even hit your own mother, didn’t you? That’s why Mrs. Hanson always wears those sunglasses, always covers up. She’s desperate to marry you off so someone else can share her pain.”