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."

their hands gripping their glasses

extravagant displays, waved her hand dismissively. "Please, don't

at Bridget, and soon enough, those with a lower tolerance for alcohol were showing signs of tipsiness, their inhibitions significantly lowered.

and looking a bit tipsy 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 phone and dialed, her actions drawing a hush over the table. All eyes were on her- except Sylvia's, who

Pavilion truly

but also for its exquisite cuisine. If not for

enthusiasm for the food, Bridget deliberately raised her

dripped with sweetness,

from how saccharine her tone was, yet envy still shone in their eyes despite the

"I had a bit to drink, don't worry. If I get too drunk, I

wide with a feigned panic, glanced around the table before she

flushed appearance. Some of

Sylvia, however, was more

dish of

her meal that she didn't even

quick, okay?

Sylvia almost gagged.

her surprise, Rupert pushed open

prompt, it was as if he

a black turtleneck sweater underneath, and dark gray trousers, his simple

she cooed, "Rupert, I'm feeling a bit sleepy. Take me