Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 23

As Sylvia felt herself being dragged backward by Julian, her consciousness blurring, she clenched her fists until her fingernails bit into her palms, the pain snapping her back to reality. She had to save herself!

Sylvia grabbed the door handle to stabilize herself, her eyes darting around, seeking something, anything, that could be her salvation.

The crystal ornament on the dashboard seemed like her chance. But every time she stretched for it, it was just beyond her reach.

Gritting her teeth against Julian's force, she inched her fingertips closer to the crystal.

The moment she wrenched it from its non-slip mat, she hurled it backward with all her might. With a thud, Julian grunted and released Sylvia. Seizing the moment, she hit the door unlock button and tumbled out of the car.

The autumn night was crisp, the moonlight bright, the wind, sharp as a knife, cutting into Sylvia ruthlessly as she struggled to her feet and ran.

She hadn't made it far when the hand from behind closed around her neck. She bit back a cry of defiance, but he slammed her head against the car door.

Dizzied, she slid to the ground, and Julian shoved her into the back seat. Standing at the door, Julian caught his breath, carelessly wiping the blood from his forehead. Gone was the tenderness from before.

He said through gritted teeth, "If it weren't for your looks, I wouldn't waste my time. Dinner and a movie mean it's understood what comes next! Trying to leave now? You playing me?"

Sylvia refused to resign to her fate. She thrashed, kicking and screaming to keep Julian at bay. Julian, however, caught her by the ankles, slipping off her high heels and slowly caressing up. Sylvia's skin crawled as if snakes slithered over her, making her feel coldly nauseous. She kicked a few times, trying to retract her legs, but that only gave Julian the chance to spread them apart.

With a victorious smirk, Julian wedged himself between Sylvia's thighs, pressing down on her as his hand roamed under her skirt.

He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent and softness of her body.

Sylvia, in her beauty, was not overtly glamorous but with a lustrous skin blushing from the excitement, a tipsy state. Coupled with her misty eyes, she looked broken yet alluring.

Any man would have been driven to madness at the sight of her.

And Julian found her even more delicate and tender beneath him than he had imagined. He chuckled, "Don't blame me. Your mom practically delivered you to my doorstep. Edwin wants to do business with my family, and there you were, bundled with the deal. Play nice, and it could work out for your family. Or else, don't make me do something you regret. Plus, you should be aware what your family amounts to in the eyes of the Garcias."

As he spoke, he forced Sylvia's knees apart, caressing her face before ripping open her top, exposing her skin to the moonlight.

His eyes gleamed with desire as he leaned in.

In the dizzy haze, Sylvia's gaze fell on her purse on the floor mat.

Naomi had given her that studded leather clutch to match her outfit - small and square-shaped, merely able to contain a cellphone, but surprisingly heavy, enough to smash a man!

As Julian's hand crept under her skirt, Sylvia's eyes flashed with fierce. She grabbed the purse and smashed it against his head.

""Ah!" Julian clutched at his head in pain.

But Sylvia didn't stop. Her eyes were bloodshot as she struck him again and again...

"Sylvia, I was wrong! I was wrong."

Sylvia knew he wasn't apologizing; he was scared.

In this new life, she didn't want to provoke anyone. Why couldn't they just leave her be?

Julian's pleas faded, his blood dripping onto Sylvia's face and body.