Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 121

Christine whispered with a hint of worry, "Are you sure about this? Rupert's wine collection is no joke in terms of price, right?"

Bridget laughed off the concern casually. "Oh, Rupert takes me here all the time and always insists I help myself to anything. I don't really pay attention to the prices, but I remember once I knocked over a bottle and it was, what, around fifteen thousand? Rupert didn't fuss over the cost; he was more worried about me getting cut by the broken glass." "Wow, just casually dropping in a humble brag there. Can we all just take a moment to thank our generous hostess?" a colleague joked.

"Thanks, Bridget," everyone chimed in, half-jokingly.

"Stop it, you guys. I'm going to stop talking now," Bridget said, her face turning a bashful shade of pink, the picture of a shy young woman asserting her territory. Yet, her sideways glances were firmly fixed on Sylvia.

Sylvia, catching the glances, offered a forced smile along with her colleagues. As if she cared about Rupert's attention or about being the future boss lady.

Then, Christine sidled up to Sylvia with a grin. "Gotta admit, I'm a bit jealous of Ms. Simpson. But you, Sylvia, you probably don't care, right? Your boyfriend must treat you just as well."

"I don't have a boyfriend," Sylvia clarified.

"But your neck..."

"Dog bite."

Sylvia muttered the explanation under her breath and quickly made her way to find a seat.

When the server arrived with the wine, he made a point of introducing its variety, origin, and, of course, its hefty price tag in front of everyone.

"A 2016 bottle of Romanée-Conti, priced at thirty thousand."

gasped, their hands gripping their

extravagant displays, waved her hand dismissively. "Please,

those with a lower tolerance for alcohol were showing signs of tipsiness, their inhibitions significantly lowered. "Ms. Simpson, didn't Rupert say he'd join us? Why isn't he here yet?" someone

herself, said, "If he were here right now, we wouldn't be able to enjoy ourselves and drink freely like this. So, I told him to come later." With that, she pulled out her

Pavilion truly lived

just for its breathtaking view but also for its exquisite cuisine. If not for Bridget,

Sylvia's enthusiasm for the food, Bridget deliberately raised her

with sweetness, "you

from how saccharine her tone was, yet

her lip softly and whispered into the phone, "I had a bit to drink, don't worry. If I get too drunk, I have you, right? Don't... like

panic, glanced around the table before she covered her mouth, deciding

given Bridget's flushed appearance. Some

Sylvia, however, was more

in her dish of surf

at how delicious it was. So engrossed was she in her meal that

quick, okay? I'm

Sylvia almost gagged.

her surprise, Rupert pushed open the

it was as if

underneath, and dark gray trousers, his simple

embrace, she cooed, "Rupert,