Chapter 609

Chris rubbed his temples. Seriously, Orson and Rupert had been around each other way too long-saying even one extra word seemed physically painful for them.

He tried to explain, "He just wants you to do what makes you happy, Sylvia. It's not like he's trying to control you or anything."

Sylvia arched an eyebrow, a smile curling at the corner of her lips, half amused, half not. “Well, first off, tell him thanks. Second, maybe let him know I'd appreciate it if he stopped sending people to spy on me."

She hadn't told anyone about the training program, so if Rupert knew, it meant he had someone watching her. That much was obvious.

Chris started to blurt out, "But that's only because="

Orson reached out and stopped him, cutting him off. "Ms. Lloyd, I'll pass along the message. But I doubt that's the only reason you wanted to talk tonight, is it?"

Sylvia's throat felt tight. She took a sip of her coffee, stalling for a second.

"Orson, you know us better than anyone. You've watched this whole mess unfold from the start. You know how it ends, maybe better than we do."

"So whether you're his assistant or just his friend, please-talk some sense into him. Tell him to stop before he goes too far."

The table fell silent. The hum of the restaurant faded into the background.

Orson set down his mug, his expression serious. "Ms. Lloyd, I'm afraid I can't do that."

Sylvia stared, stunned. She couldn't understand this was the right thing for everyone, wasn't it? Why not just agree?

"Is this really a matter of right and wrong?" Orson asked quietly. "If it were that simple, don't you think he'd realize it? With the power he has, if he truly wanted to be free of you, don't you think he'd have done it already?"

Sylvia froze, her gaze unfocused. It was like the world paused for a second, her mind blank.

Orson watched her, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers twice. Two men, dressed like waiters, crossed the room and nodded to Orson.

"Call the others off," Orson murmured.

One of the men glanced at Sylvia, uncertain.

"I'll explain to Mr. Rupert myself," Orson said.

"Understood."

The two men headed out, rounding up the rest of their crew and leaving the restaurant.

Sylvia recognized one of them-she saw him jogging past her apartment every morning and every night,

always on the same route ascher

walk to the studio. Content Belongs

to s

Before she could process it, Orson nodded toward the door. "Ms. Lloyd, why don't

you step outside for a moment?"

Sylvia frowned but grabbed her purse and walked out.

The street looked just as it had when she'd arrived, except dusk had

settled in, and there were more ]. nee

people out commuters, couples, kids eating ice cream cones. s

She'd been nervous before, but the sight of the busy street eased her nerves a bit.

She pulled out her phone, meaning to text Chris and Orson that she was heading home.

Her fingers barely started typing when suddenly someone shoved her hard from behind-she stumbled straight into the street.

An SUV was barreling down the road-didn't slow down, in fact, it sped up.

Terror seized her. Her brain screamed at her to get up, but her arms and legs wouldn't listen.

The world around her went into slow motion, She locked eyes with the guy who'd pushed her college kid, backpack slung over his shoulder, beanie on his head. fo s

He smiled. He looked so normal, so harmless. Who'd suspect someone like that?

A car horn blared, deafening. She felt the rush of air as the car bore down on her

Suddenly, someone burst from the crowd, tackling her out of the way.

...

Back inside the restaurant-

Orson and Chris clinked their glasses together.

Chris sighed. "Why not just tell her straight out that people out there want her dead?"

Orson shook his head. "Some things, you have to feel for yourself. Words just don't cut it."

His phone buzzed on the table.

Chris glanced at the screen. "Aren't you going to check?"

"Just more junk mail."

Chris snorted, barely holding back a laugh.