Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 345

Thankfully, Sylvia spotted Bridget's reflection in the mirror just in time and dodged to the side.

But Bridget seized the opportunity to grab Sylvia's dress strap and gave it a hard yank.

Click, clatter...

A string of pearls went scattering all over the tiled floor.

With the strap broken, Sylvia's evening gown started slipping down. Flustered,

she clutched the front of her dress and stumbled backward.

Bridget cocked her chin with a smug little smirk, tossed the eyebrow razor into the trash, and suddenly put on an innocent, wide-eyed look.

“Oh, dear! Sylvia, you really should be more careful. How will you face anyone now? Maybe you'd better sit this one out and let Ms. Eloise down gently. Don't worry, I'll make sure to stand by Mr. Lennon's side for you."

She arched her eyebrows, gave a little wave, and strolled out of the restroom— high heels clicking with satisfaction.

Sylvia clung to her ruined dress, finally realizing Bridget hadn't meant to hurt her —just sabotage her dress, so she'd be too embarrassed to show her face at the gala.

No time to panic, Sylvia knelt and tried to scoop up the pearls, hoping she could fix it. But this was a historic building-hell, even the restroom floors were the original old stone. The pearls had rolled off into the cracks and disappeared.

She managed to gather a measly handful-not nearly enough to repair even one strap.

Then footsteps echoed in the corridor. Sylvia had to clutch her dress and slip out quickly.

to find an empty room, somewhere she could try

letting Bridget steal her

rush, Sylvia rounded a corner and collided straight into a little boy-six or seven years old-who toppled over, his Easter basket

sprawled

hastily freed one hand to help him

for the event- looked up at

Sylvia blinked, momentarily speechless.

a woman hurried over, arms full of fabric and

There's a big event tonight-we

exhausted, but her eyes were

miss," she apologized. "Kids,

her head. "No, it's

him. Are you

let me pay for

doctor's bill, just in

all

setting her bundle down to check

your dad's still off work and you're going to give me a heart attack," she scolded,

she sounded worried for her son, so

of fabric the woman was carrying. The colors were gorgeous-rich, vibrant, even in

"Ma'am, is this...?"

museum director lets us sell it as souvenirs for the