Just as Chris had said, Kay had to be something special to carve out a ce for herself in a world dominated by men. No one could survive that kind of

environment without some serious skills.

So when Sylvia showed up at Kay''s office waving her so-called "evidence," let''s be real-it was practically walking into the lion''s den.

But truthfully? She was baiting the trap.

The worse off she looked, the more likely Kay would believe Sylvia was at the end

of her rope.

From the way Kay spoke to Edwin, Sylvia could tell Kay was proud-maybe even a little arrogant. She had zero interest in getting into a petty catfight with Naomi, and she''d never stoop so low as to beg Edwin for a second chance.

Kay wanted people to beg her.

Especially when she got to y god, dangling other people''s fates in her hands.

Still, Naomi was Mrs. Garcia-the Garcia family''s matriarch. No matter how talented Kay was, picking a fight with Naomi was just another way of dering war on the Garcias themselves.

Kay probably wouldn''t dare.

Unless, of course, she had someone powerful backing her up.

And sure enough, it didn''t take long to find out who. Sylvia just hadn''t expected her supporters to be Tristan and Rupert.

They''d gone all-out, scheming behind the scenes to force her hand.

Well, if that''s how they wanted to y it, then let the games begin.

She had nothing left to lose anyway.

But there was still a question that haunted her: In her previous life, was Naomi and Edwin''s "ident" really just a car crash, like Rupert always imed?

The thought of that ident made Sylvia''s chest ache, sharp as a needle.

Lost in thought, Sylvia nced up and saw Chris watching her intently. "Something on your mind?" he asked.fnbcfd Readplete version only at FιndＮovel/fnbcfd

"Not really," Sylvia said, tugging at her cardigan and pretending to shrug it off.

Chris saw right through her but didn''t push Instead, he changed the subject. "I''ve started working on your mom''s situation. It''ll take a couple of days to sort everything out, but for now I''ve got her staying at a friend''s private clinic. No one will know she''s there. But Ms. Winslet isn''t about to let this go, right?"  s

"Of course not. They haven''t gotten what they want yet."

Sylvia''s gaze was icy, her slender frame seeming to fade into the pale light behind her, as if she might disappear at any moment.

"They? You don''t seriously think Kay''s situation is connected to Rupert, do you? He''d never actually hurt you," Chris pressed, clearly siding with Rupert.

"Dr. Chris, Kay set me up at the Bluebird Lounge." Sylvia''s voice was full of scorn.

The Bluebird Lounge was Rupert''s turf. Kay wouldn''t have dared pull a stunt like that there without his go-ahead.

"He must have his reasons," Chris insisted, his voice quick and anxious.

Sylviay back, her tone frosty. "Doesn''t matter anymore."

"Sylvia-"

Chris was about to argue Rupert''s case when his phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, eyes widening in surprise, and hurried out of the room without another word.

Momentster, Edwin came in with a man folder in hand.

"Sylvia, feeling any better?" he asked.

"Yeah, it doesn''t hurt as much now," she replied, forcing herself to sit up so Edwin wouldn''t worry.

He rushed to steady her. "Careful. Hey, have you heard from your mom? I haven''t been able to reach her all day."

Sylvia swallowed, feigning surprise. "She didn''t tell you? She thinks I''ve been having terrible lucktely, so she went up to St. Mary''s Chapel to light some candles for me. Probably just bad cell service up there I''ll have her send you a text when she gets back."  s

"Oh, thank God. You know your mom-she gets lost on her way to the grocery

store. I was worried sick."

the lines around his

Edwin smiled t

eyes softening, and absently traced the crescent-shaped scar on the back of his hand-a souvenir from years@go, when Naomi had gotten lost hiking in the mountains. Edwin had rescued her, and that scar was a reminder of how quickly everything could change.  s