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.

to share her inspiration for the designs, which brought Sylvia a lot

the month had passed. As Christmas approached,

was working late, her phone buzzed with a friend request. "Sylvia, it's

staring at her phone, but

Reese a

to pay you back

have to! Honestly, I thought you'd given it to Mr. Rupert for

in touch. He's

Reese was fishing for information, so she decided to keep

Twitter, the typing bubble

long pause, Reese

I seriously don't know

the message, a little

she accidentally

Sylvia saw Rupert's familiar figure again

photos, Rupert wasn't the cold, distant man she

at a private supper club that had a six-month waitlist, laughing

hour

in a climate-controlled glass conservatory, attentive staff in

trip to a secluded ski resort, mountain views

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

the pictures,

frame a jarring contrast to the self-doubt Sylvia saw reflected in

own phone screen.

her way-it was the

Reese "poked" her.