NovelUSAChapter 354 Rupert let go of her and slumped against a rock, silent.
No one spoke. It could have been a minute or an hour.
Eventually, he shifted his position, one knee drawn up for support. His voice was softer now. "Sylvia, what am I supposed to do?" Sylvia blinked, confused by his question.
She turned, lips parting to answer, but before she could speak, Rupert's head suddenly dropped, bumping against her cheek.
His forehead was icy. She noticed right away-his usually strong, tall frwas trembling.
In the darkness, Sylvia fumbled closer, checking his wounds.
The shirt she'd used to bandage him was soaked through with blood.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe tore another strip from her sleeve and did her best to tie it tighter.
But it wasn't helping. Rupert only looked worse-his lips pale, jaw clenched, sweat beading on his brow. His hair was damp and stuck to his forehead, and his eyes had that hazy, feverish look.
"Uncle Rupert?" she whispered.
He didn't answer, every muscle tense like he was fighting something inside.
Sylvia's heart twisted. He didn't have to cfor her. But he had.
She hesitated, then unbuttoned Rupert's shirt and tugged at her own. After a second's pause, she pressed herself against him, trying to warm him.
Rupert jolted, then wrapped his fist around her arm, holding her close.
His eyes, dark and intense, locked on her, but there was nothing romantic about it -just pain and something deeper.
"Don't be scared," his voice was rough, ragged, holding an emotion she'd never heard from him before. "I'm not," Sylvia murmured, clutching the locator hidden in her shirt, silently hoping Naomi would find them soon.
Her thoughts blurred. Then, suddenly, the sound of machinery echoed outside.
She reached for her shirt, but realized Rupert had already buttoned it up for her. "Sylvia! Sylvia!" It was Naomi's voice.
That neat-freak-she'd actually cdown here herself.
A wave of relief washed over Sylvia, and her last thread of consciousness snapped.
She woke up in a hospital bed.
The first thing she saw was Naomi's anxious face looming over her. Sylvia nearly squeezed her eyes shut again in shock.
"Mom..." Her voice cout dry and scratchy.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNaomi gave her a light shove. "Next tyou to scareto death, don't put a panic alert on my phone! I'm too young for a heart attack." Grumbling, Naomi turned and poured her a glass of warm water.
Sylvia sipped gratefully, her head slowly clearing.
She set the cup down. "Mom, did the aufrom when I was with those two guys get to your phone? The recording-where is it?"
Naomi sighed. "I gave it to Edwin.
This is Garcia family business, he'll handle it. Sylvia nodded, relief mixing with worry.
Naomi tugged her sleeve, nodding toward the wall-mounted TV.
"Look." Sylvia glanced over. On screen, Charles and Steven were being led away in handcuffs.
"They got arrested?" Naomi picked up an apple and
started peeling it with a paring knife. "The families of the miners got their hands on proof-bribery, attempted murde, the works. First they went to the cops, then they put it all online, and finally they hired the best lawyer in the country. With all that, who could stand against them?"
She jabbed the knife toward the TV, frowning. "Those two thought they could boss people around just m because they're Tristan's cousins.
Always giving Edwin a hard time. Well Took at them now-rightwhere they belong!" Sylvia listened, a frown creasing her brow.
"But those families-aren't they just regular folks? How would they even get their hands on proof of bribery, let alone attempted murder?"
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