Sylvia froze for a second, then started struggling with all her strength.

But Rupert had her pinned down with just one hand. With the other, he calmly took a drag from his cigarette, like he had all the time in the world.

Sylvia was furious. "Are you insane or something?"

Rupert ignored her, his gaze icy as he turned to look at Pretty Boy by the door.

"Get out."

Pretty Boy scoffed, crossing his arms. "On what grounds? I was invited here by thedy herself—she hasn''t even said anything yet. Ever heard of fairpetition?"

Sylvia nodded, acting like she was about to get up, but the moment she stood, Rupert pulled her right back into his arms.

His hand pressed firmly against her waist, the heat from his palm burning through her clothes. She tried to wriggle free, but Rupert''s dark eyes locked on hers, and his long fingers traced the hem of her shirt, brushing her bare skin-whether by ident or on purpose, she couldn''t tell.

A shiver ran down Sylvia''s spine.

Rupert leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I don''t mind a littlepetition."

Sylvia bit down on her lip, determined not to make a sound.

Rupert nced up at Orson, who was standing near the entrance. Orson

straightened, put on his most serious face, and strode in, grabbing Pretty Boy by the back of the neck.

"Alright, let''s go for a little walk."

Pretty Boy stiffened, wincing in pain, but still managed to nod. "Fine, fine, I''m leaving."

As he shuffled out with Orson, Sylvia nced at her phone-98%plete.

So close. Just a little bit more and she''d have it.

Ignoring Rupert''s grip, she gritted her teeth and tried to get up again.

"Don''t you dare leave!" Sylvia red at Rupert, her voice trembling with anger. "You have no right to control me!"fn3848 ?????? ???? F?nd-Novel/fn3848

Orson froze, unsure what to do, and looked at Rupert for guidance.

In the dim light, Rupert stepped in front of Sylvia, his tall frame blocking out the glow above. The shadows made his features even sharper, his hair catching the light as his eyes grew darker, emotions churning just below the surface.  s

As he moved toward her, Sylvia instinctively backed away, clutching her phone behind her.

But she was too slow-Rupert grabbed her arm and yanked her forward.

Her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a loud smack. The screen lit up, showing the progress bar frozen at 99%.

Pretty Boy suddenly caught on, panic shing across his face. He fumbled for his own phone, ignoring the ache in his neck.

He shot Sylvia a venomous look and jabbed at his screen. "You sneaky witch! You set me up!"

As he cursed, the progress bar faded and stalled.

Sylvia''s face went white. She''d been so close!

Desperate, she lunged at Pretty Boy, reaching for his phone.

But Rupert caught her from behind,

locking her in ce. "Orson. Take et him out Delete everything tha

shouldn''t be there."  s

"No! Stop! Let me go!" Sylvia screamed, her voice raw and breaking, but she couldn''t move an inch.

All she could do was watch as Orson dragged Pretty Boy out, taking everyst piece of evidence with him.

Sylvia''s shoulders slumped in defeat. She stopped fighting, standing there pale and hollow.

When Rupert finally turned her around to face him, she looked up, her eyes burning.

"You knocked my phone away on purpose, didn''t you?"

Rupert looked down, not even bothering to make up an excuse. "Yeah. I told you not to mess around."

"If you knew why I was here, then you know what Kay''s been doing Didn''t you say you wouldn''t take her side? But you just had orson delete the evidence. That''s what you call being impartial?"  s