Chapter 583
If Sylvia didn't still have the keys in her hand, she would've thought she'd just
barged into someone else's house by mistake.
A moment later, Reese finally noticed her.
"Sylvia, hey-sorry if we startled you!"
"It's fine. Make yourselves comfortable, I'll get you something to drink."
Sylvia dropped her keys on the entryway table and bent down to pick up the groceries she'd just bought.
Lester walked right over and took the bags from her hands. "Let me help."
She didn't object, so the two of them headed into the kitchen together.
Back on the couch, Reese watched them go, then shot a sly smile at Rupert. "That's the first time I've seen my brother actually try to win a woman over."
Rupert glanced at her, his expression frosty and unreadable. Without a word, he got up and walked toward the kitchen.
Reese bit her lip and reached out, catching at his sleeve, but he slipped away before she could stop him.
All she could do was sit there, watching the kitchen door.
Inside, Sylvia stared at the kettle, her mind wandering.
Lester glanced at her and asked, "Where do you keep your mugs?"
She snapped out of it, just in time to see the water boiling over. She wiped it up quickly and set the kettle back on the base.
When she turned around and saw that Lester hadn't noticed her little mishap, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I've got it-" she started, but before she could finish the sentence, someone else entered. Rupert walked right over, opened a cabinet, and pulled out a set of mugs and a teapot.
"Here."
"Thanks." Lester nodded, reaching for the set, but Rupert didn't let go.
The two men locked eyes, silently sizing each other up.
Sylvia looked at them, exasperated. "How long are you two planning to stand there holding that?"
Lester glanced at Rupert's cane and offered a polite smile. "Mr. Rupert, you've got your hands full. Why don't you go relax? I'll handle the tea."
Talk about making himself at home.
Rupert narrowed his eyes, then suddenly released the teapot, causing Lester to stumble back a couple of steps.
"If Mr. Sanford wants to make me
tea, I'll just have to give it a try," Rupert said coolly, then took Sylvia by the arm and started to lead her away. s
She pulled back. "What the heck are you doing?"
"He wants to make tea-let him. Why are you here? Isn't it a little crowded?" Rupert fixed her with a meaningful stare.
Sylvia took a deep breath, pointed at the kitchen door, and said, "See that door? Both of you out. I'll do it myself."
The kitchen wasn't big enough for two grown men to be bumping elbows every time they turned around.
Lester set the teapot down and said gently, "Sylvia, call me if you need anything." She nodded. "Will do."
Rupert asked, his voice low, "You've still got enough tea leaves?"
She spun around, ignoring him.
Lester just chuckled, took Rupert by the arm, and steered him out to the balcony.
Rupert gazed out at the skyline, then pulled a cigarette from his pocket.
Lester snagged it away immediately. "I'd rather not see my sister become a widow before she's even married."
Rupert spun his lighter in his hands, getting right to the point. "Why did you have your assistant pass along that message yesterday? What was that about?" s This update is available on Find1Novel.net
He'd seen the text thread-he knew Zion was speaking on Lester's behalf.
Lester leaned casually against the balcony railing and smiled. "For Sylvia's sake. And for Reese's."
"And what makes you think you have the right to do anything for her?"
"Which her do you mean?" Lester shot back coolly.
Rupert's lighter paused mid-spin.
Lester pressed on, hitting a nerve. "See? You can't even say her name out loud."
"Mr. Rupert, l'admit it-I had my
own reasons for telling you to stay away from Sylvia. But today, if you hadn't come under the pretense of seeing Reese the Garcias would've known you were here the second you walked in. And you know they wouldn't hesitate to go after Sylvia."
s
"I know you want to protect her. But you can't shield her from everything. So I'm
asking you, for her sake-please, stay away."