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.

recognition. Rupert had

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

replied, not daring to meet Reese's

them each a box. "Naomi, a little New

too sweet! We're all family now, you didn't have to," Naomi

and elegant. Naomi draped it over her

box in her hands. "This one was picked out by someone special for you. If

"Who?" Sylvia asked, puzzled.

laughing. "Ha! Who else? If my brother heard you ask that, he'd probably

realized. "Oh-um, tell Mr.

him out for dinner

together, unsure

lingered on the necklace around

noticed and self-consciously touched the string of

I just wonder if the one Mr. Rupert is

froze,

"I overheard Orson telling Mr. Rupert that the pearl necklace

drained from Sylvia's

around her neck felt like a chain-tight, suffocating,

you okay?" Reese nudged

out of it and realized she was gripping the necklace