Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 581

After taking his meds, Rupert yanked off his tie and tossed it aside.

“You can head home,” he muttered.

Orson didn’t reply. It was the first time he’d seen Rupert looking this rough—not just physically, but like something inside him was broken, too.

He hesitated, then stepped out of the room, deciding he’d crash on the couch for the night—just in case.

Sitting there, Orson absentmindedly glanced down at the worn cushions and sighed.

Honestly, he didn’t really believe Sylvia was the kind of girl who’d mess around. Maybe there was some misunderstanding?

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through Twitter until he found Zion’s profile—just a bunch of shirtless flexing pics, as usual.

“Where are you?” Orson messaged.

“Venmo me $500 and I’ll tell you.”

“Goodbye.”

“Hey, don’t be like that. You still owe me for the doctor’s bill after you knocked me over last time. Dr. Chris said it wasn’t a minor injury.”

“Where’s your boss?”

“Trying to get info out of me? Ha, Venmo me $5000 and I’ll spill.”

“…”

Orson dropped his phone and closed his eyes, ready for sleep.

A few minutes later, Zion messaged again.

“My boss is a total gentleman. So am I. We don’t play girls.”

“…”

Without another word, Orson screenshotted the messages and sent them to Rupert.

Boss, that’s all I’ve got for you.

A minute later, Rupert replied—he’d transferred $50,000.

“Venmo him.”

“On it.”

Orson immediately sent Zion the $5000.

Zion replied with a cheeky emoji.

“Don’t think I don’t know you’re skimming off the top! 50-50 split, no less.”

When she came back, Sylvia noticed Lester had already peeled her boiled eggs and pushed a mug of coffee her way.

He wiped his hands and nodded at her plate. “Go on, dig in.”

Sylvia laughed. “Mr. Sanford, are you that excited to go grocery shopping?”

He grinned. “Didn’t think I’d be that obvious, huh?”

“I’ll be quick, promise.”

After breakfast, Sylvia grabbed two big reusable shopping bags and they headed out.

He smirked. “She said, ‘Handsome, you should buy two cartons for your girlfriend.’ I was just following orders.”

Sylvia blushed, lost for words.

Just as they reached her building, a voice called out from nearby.

“Hey, bro. Sylvia!”