NovelOnlineChapter 486 Sylvia stood outside the brightly lit mansion, her hand halfway to the doorbell before she let it fall to her side.
Would it really be him? As she hesitated, the door swung open and Orson stepped out onto the porch.
"Ms. Lloyd, Mr. Rupert is expecting you." "Expecting me? He knew I was coming?" Sylvia's brows shot up in surprise.
Orson didn't answer, just gestured her inside.
She lingered for a moment, torn, but finally followed him in, her heart thudding as the familiar house cinto view-closer than she'd been in years.
A storm of conflicting feelings churned inside her, pulling her in all directions.
If Rupert was the one who'd saved her... what on earth was she supposed to say? Lost in thought, she barely realized she was standing in the foyer. The place hadn't changed-sold English antiques, the scent of lemon polish and woodsmoke. She barely had a chance to look around before a man's footsteps echoed from the staircase behind her.
She balled her fists, steeling herself, and turned.
Rupert must've stepped out from the shower-damp hair, a black silk robe hanging open over his chest, skin still glistening with steam.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHis movements were easy, relaxed. No sign of injury-no gunshot wound, not even a scratch from a scuffle.
Sylvia froze, her heart caught in her throat-then suddenly, it plummeted.
She should be relieved it wasn't Rupert; that way, she owed him nothing.
But... somehow, there was an ache she couldn't put into words. She took a deep breath and forced her face into a calm mask.
"Uncle Rupert." "Take a seat." Rupert tied his robe loosely as he sat, a cigarette already between his fingers. Click.
The lighter's flflickered, casting his sharp features in a pale glow.
Smoke drifted toward her, snapping Sylvia out of her daze. She shook her head. "No, thanks. I won't keep you up." She turned to leave.
His voice stopped her cold, icy as winter air.
"Think your mom can keep waiting?" Sylvia spun, disbelief etched on her face. "What's that supposed to mean?" "You tell me." Rupert looked up, eyes hard, toying with the lighter in his hand.
Only then did Sylvia understand what Orson meant when he said Rupert was "expecting" her.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, the pain grounding her-but down the bitterness rising in her throat.
t not enough to "So... you already knew Tristan sent the cops after my mom? You knew I'd cbegging for your help?" "Yes." His voice was low, cold. The smoke hid his expression, but the power in his posture was unmistakable-like spredator waiting for his prey Step into the trap.
And Sylvia was that prey.
The cruelest part? Just minutes ago, she'd almost been grateful to him, torn by the thought that he might've been her savior.
Now she just felt played. Humiliated.
"If I refuse?" "Sylvia, you don't get a choice." His words pulled her under, like she was drowning in the deep end of an icy lake.
Her vision blurred as tears threatened. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, fighting the urge to fall apart.
After a moment, Sylvia opened her eyes and looked at him-her gaze dull, her mouth twisted in bitter self- mockery.
"Don't worry, Uncle Rupert. I'll turn myself in." She'd considered asking Rupert to help her mom-Naomi-but in that instant, she couldn't stomach the thought.
Three hundred grand. Ten years behind bars.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith Tristan's influence, it could be even worse.
Maybe by tomorrow, there'd be no Sylvia left in the world.
Shoulders slumped, she turned to leave.
She only made it a step before Rupert was suddenly behind her, hiso m presence pressing at her back, sending a chill down her spine.
Before she could react, his arms trapped her, holding her in place. He leaned in lips almost grazing her ear his voice as steady and He BUMS steel..
as
Who went "Sylvia, if you try it, your mom's next. After all, the money went straight into her account Who's gonna believe she didn't know?" Sylvia stared at him, stunned, barely breathing.
She said nothing for a long moment, but inside, she was already at the breaking point.
When she finally spoke, her voice was raw, nearly a scream.
"Why are you doing this to me?" "Why can't you just letgo?" "What do you want from me? What do I have to becfor you to finally be satisfied?"
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