Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 602

Orson stood off to the side, waiting for Rupert to give further instructions.

Rupert didn’t say a word. He reached into his coat, searching for his lighter, but after rummaging around for a while, he couldn’t find it.

Without a word, Orson pulled his own lighter from his pocket and flicked it, lighting Rupert’s cigarette for him.

Rupert took a deep drag, his face brooding and silent, the ember at his fingertips trembling slightly.

He stood like that for a long moment before, through the haze of smoke, he finally spoke. “Go on.”

“Yes, sir.”

Orson shot him a worried glance before heading off to find Chris.

But when he reached Chris’s office, it was empty.

He called him, only to find out Chris was over at the outpatient building, helping out with some hospital event.

It was noisy on the other end, and Chris had to practically shout to be heard—not exactly the best way to have a conversation.

“I’ll come find you,” Orson said, and hung up.

He stepped outside just as the sky, which had been bright and sunny that morning, erupted into a torrential downpour.

Orson frowned and was about to make a run for it when a car pulled up beside him.

“Hey, Orson!”

The window rolled down just a crack, but Orson already recognized the voice—and felt his irritation rising.

Zion.

Zion lowered the window further, and Orson spotted two people in the backseat.

Lester and Sylvia.

Before Orson could even say hello, Sylvia suddenly let out a squeal, clutching her phone in one hand and grabbing Lester’s with the other.

“Oh my god! My dream school just emailed—they want to interview me online! Do you know how tough their admissions are? I spent ages perfecting my application and I can’t believe they actually replied!”

Lester glanced at her phone and said, “It’s pretty far from here, though.”

Sylvia immediately sobered up, realizing she might have gone overboard with her reaction. She had, after all, promised Lester she’d consider the college he was interested in.

“I mean, it’s just an interview. No guarantee I’ll get in.”

Zion tossed a folded black umbrella to Orson, then pulled away.

Orson looked at the plain umbrella in his hand and couldn’t help but smile a little.

Guess Zion wasn’t a total lost cause.

Back in the car, Zion pushed his sunglasses back up, a sly smirk on his face.

Sylvia noticed and asked, “Zion, what’s with the evil grin?”

“What do you think? Sweet, sweet revenge.”

Sylvia blinked. “What do you mean?”

Lester rolled his eyes. “Don’t mind him. He’s just spoiled by my dad. Never takes anything seriously.”

Sylvia looked at them in surprise. “Wait, are you guys related or something?”