Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 438

Rupert nodded absentmindedly, then slipped away.

Through the car window, Reese watched his figure grow smaller and smaller, an unexpected hollowness settling in her chest.

Suddenly, she clutched her chest and started to cough.

Orson immediately handed her a bottle of water. "Ms. Sanford, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just caught a bit of a chill," she said, nervously fidgeting with the bottle in

her hand. "Orson, did I say something wrong just now?"

Orson's tone was steady. "No, Ms. Sanford. Mr. Rupert's always been a workaholic."

"Yeah," she murmured.

After dropping Reese off, Orson made his way back to Rupert's apartment in Soho Bay.

He was sorting through the files sent over from the office when Rupert walked in.

Orson stared, eyes wide in disbelief. "Mr. Rupert, you—"

Rupert shot him a cold glance and shoved a bundle of clothes into his arms.

"Take these to the dry cleaners."

"Yes, sir."

Eloise's new collection launch was a hit; even international reporters showed up for interviews.

for the designs, which brought Sylvia a

passed. As Christmas approached, the studio was

night, while Sylvia was working late, her phone buzzed with a friend

at her phone, but finally

Reese a

pay you back last

I thought you'd given it to Mr. Rupert for

responded, "We haven't really been in

for

the typing bubble

pause, Reese finally sent another

I seriously don't know who else to ask about the Garcias, so I'm

stared at the

accidentally tapped on Reese's profile

saw Rupert's familiar figure again and

wasn't the cold, distant man she remembered-he actually looked comfortable,

they were at a private supper club that had a six-month waitlist, laughing over steak and wine.

set, golden hour light in their

a

secluded ski

just showing off, that would be one thing, but scrolling through her posts from the past six months, Sylvia realized this was

the pictures, Reese

her radiant smile lighting up the frame a jarring contrast

own phone screen.

standing in her way-it was the gap between

Reese "poked" her.