Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 148

Watching the figure standing beside the flowerbed, Bailey raised an eyebrow, her understanding clear.

Just as she was about to speak, Bridget walked straight up to Bailey and extended her hand.

"Bailey, pleasure to meet you. I'm Rupert's fiancée, Bridget."

Bailey glanced at Bridget, then at her outstretched hand, offering a light, breezy smile. "I'm sorry, Ms. Simpson, I've just been pruning the flowers, and my hands are quite dirty." Bridget's hand stiffened for a moment before she awkwardly lowered it.

No sooner had she dropped her hand than Bailey took a towel from a servant, cleaned her hands, and made her way directly to Rupert, effectively treating his fiancée as if she were invisible.

Bailey sat down next to Rupert, poured him a cup of coffee, and addressed the others, "Please, take a seat. Eloise has already shared your details with me, so there's no need for any painstaking introductions. I prefer to keep things casual." The underlying message was clear.

Bridget clenched her purse, a fleeting look of malice flashing in her eyes.

This old lady, putting on airs?

If not for her remaining usefulness, when would she ever get the chance to strut around like this?

But outwardly, Bridget maintained her image of gentle grace flawlessly.

Rupert, pushing the cup away from him as though

interrupt, but I'm afraid Rupert doesn't

Doesn't fancy?

rich, aromatic flavor confirmed it was, in fact, Rupert's

It was the same kind Edwin

Yet Bridget, Rupert's deeply cherished old flame, did not

all that expensive coffee that Rupert competes with me for annually end up? Ms. Simpson, as Rupert's fiancée, surely you've...

before?"

pushed-away cup, wishing she

sip of his coffee,

brief but enough to make her heart skip a beat.

What was he implying?

Bailey's gaze on her, forcing her to act nonchalantly and

eyes roamed before she raised her hand, displaying it

"What do you think?"

her finger were

diamonds.

was

fifteen-carat blue sapphire

layered