Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 256

The noise drew everyone's attention, like moths to a flame.

Even Sylvia found herself glancing at Freya, a knot of suspicion tightening in her stomach.

This was the kind of thing Freya would do, she thought. Always trying to tug at people's heartstrings by acting like the pitiful underdog, no matter the situation.

Back in school, the students, naïve and sympathetic to her tough upbringing, often fell for it. But here, among these sharp-eyed professionals, who couldn't see through her little charade?

Eloise, frowning, said, "Stop wiping and just step outside."

"Yes, Ms. Eloise," Freya replied, her eyes rimmed with tears, lips quivering as if she were about to burst into sobs-playing the damsel in distress to perfection.

Hilbert, ever the gentleman, offered a supportive arm to Freya, smiling kindly. "It's really not a big deal, no need to be upset."

Freya looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Carmen," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she reluctantly left the room, glancing back with every step.

Sylvia snapped back to reality, her gaze landing on the sapphire resting on the table. The security team was carefully returning it to its case. She scrutinized it but found nothing amiss.

Eloise rose, reminding the guards, "Handle with care."

nodded, affirming

his watch, then turned to Sylvia.

a respectful distance, Sylvia nodded.

while Sylvia accompanied

she passed Bridget, there was an enigmatic smile

smile not

setting complete, only the sapphire needed to be mounted. Eloise personally oversaw the process, while

Yet, the unexpected struck.

crack echoed through the room as the sapphire

the jeweler's face pale and glistening

I swear! I didn't

picked up the broken sapphire, her

the fragments closely, and her heart sank with the realization. "This isn't the

the vault's security footage, now," Eloise ordered, her voice

open the door, calling the security officer over. Upon explanation, the officer swiftly

one had entered the vault except during the initial

clutching her head. "How did this happen? Where did

mirrored Eloise's, but panic wouldn't solve anything now. She racked her brain for any details from the day of the delivery, then remembered Freya's little