Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 496

Sylvia followed Naomi into the Garcia family estate.

On the way in, they passed several members of the Garcia clan. Naomi greeted everyone warmly, but most of them barely acknowledged her and Sylvia-if anything, they seemed colder than before.

Sylvia frowned. "Mom, didn't they get to the bottom of the whole engagement gift mix-up? Why are they still giving you the cold shoulder?"

Naomi let out a bitter chuckle. "It's not about that. I talked to Tristan and asked him to take me off the running for house manager."

Sylvia blinked, surprised. "Why? I thought you always wanted to prove yourself."

Naomi sighed. "Sylvia, the engagement mess was my fault. But honestly, I've made my peace with it. Reese is marrying in, and someone with her background will end up managing the place sooner or later. She's a good kid. She'll be fair to me."

Naomi clearly thought the world of Reese.

But her words hit Sylvia like a needle to the heart-sharp and invisible, leaving her numb and aching.

It wasn't jealousy. It was guilt.

And as if on cue, Reese appeared.

She was wearing a light gray herringbone coat-one that looked awfully familiar.

flickered in recognition. Rupert had worn the same

the sleeve. "What do you think? Looks good, right? I had it

not daring to

box. "Naomi, a little New

have to," Naomi said, her face lighting up as she opened the

and elegant. Naomi draped it over her

box in her hands. "This one was picked out by someone special for you. If you don't like it, go yell

"Who?" Sylvia asked, puzzled.

"Ha! Who else? If my brother

she realized. "Oh-um, tell Mr.

thank me. Take him out for dinner someday,

pressed her lips together, unsure

chatted, Reese's gaze lingered on

noticed and self-consciously touched the string of pearls. "What? Is there something wrong with

if the one Mr. Rupert is giving me will be as pretty as

Sylvia's fingers froze,

blushed, looking bashful. "I overheard Orson telling Mr. Rupert that the pearl necklace he ordered had arrived-he said it's my

drained from

her neck felt like a chain-tight, suffocating,

Sylvia, are you okay?" Reese

of it and realized she was gripping the necklace so tightly it was