Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 489

Reese reached out to take the jacket from the crook of his arm, but he sidestepped her gesture so smoothly it was almost unnoticeable.

"I've got it. You should get some sleep," Rupert said.

Her hand hovered in mid-air. She looked up at him, a little lost. "Aren't we... going

to bed together?"

Rupert hung up his coat. "Got work to do. You go ahead."

Without waiting for her reply, he headed for his study.

Reese stood there, fingers twisting nervously together. She bit her lip. "Mr. Rupert... Did I do something wrong?"

He paused, his reply flat and distant. "Don't overthink it."

"You said that last time too," Reese pressed, unable to help herself. "But you're always home late, and when you do come back, you've got bruises. Where do you go every night?"

Rupert stopped in his tracks, his eyes suddenly dark and unreadable as he looked at her.

He opened his mouth, but Reese quickly raised a hand to stop him.

man, Mr. Rupert. It's not like there's much else for you besides work. Go on, don't let me keep you. I'll head to

even glancing back,

after a moment, she took a deep breath, wiped

he'd agreed to marry her. He was good to her, in his

married, she was sure things would

wife, needed to join him in paying their respects

Reese with gifts-fancy chocolates, imported cheese, a

insisted they

gone through a lot with this engagement," he said, his tone warm and paternal. "Don't worry. I'll make

who sat beside her with his usual blank expression. She forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. The wedding's. coming up so soon, I don't want

a

voice suddenly stern. "It's not you making trouble, Reese. Some people

words sounded like he was defending Reese, but the message was

down, awkward, not knowing what to say. She quietly

she excused herself—she had medicine to

Tristan's voice turned pointed. "Last night was a big night for you two. Why'd you

hot towel from the maid, and wiped his hands with

to catch a thief," he replied, calm

"What's that supposed

"You're right, Dad. Reese deserves to be protected. So,