Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 497

"You're better suited for it than I am."

Reese smiled as she toyed with the necklace. "Really? Thanks, Sylvia."

"Don't—don't thank me," Sylvia replied, her face betraying a touch of awkwardness.

Before she could say more, a cold voice sliced through the air.

"What are you doing?"

Rupert had arrived, with Chris trailing behind him-clearly here to visit.

Sylvia turned at the sound, meeting Rupert's dark, unreadable eyes.

His gaze flicked over the necklace around Reese's neck, his expression darkening.

Assuming Rupert was speaking to her, Reese stepped forward with a grin. “Sylvia already gave me a New Year's gift. Where's yours?"

"I brought it," Rupert said coolly, nodding at Orson.

Orson handed over a long, elegant box.

Reese's face lit up with delight. She shot Sylvia a meaningful glance-one of those looks you share when you're genuinely happy to receive a gift from someone you care about. It wasn't smug, just honest excitement.

But as she opened the box and saw the diamond necklace inside, her smile froze on her lips.

After a few seconds, Sylvia even heard Reese whisper to herself, trying to stay positive. "Guess I misheard. Not a pearl necklace... but a diamond one. So sparkly."

Sylvia lowered her head, her heart twisting painfully.

herself-how could she not recognize the disappointment in Reese's

on for you," Rupert said, his voice

eyes sparkled as she lifted her hair with a smile.

her neck,

one.

Sylvia, holding

the pearls, refusing to reach for

were milling about, and the two stood locked in this

tension, quickly interjected, "Mr. Rupert, everyone's waiting for

red marks on Sylvia's neck, and something seemed to

privately later.

Of course.

Rupert heard Reese's name, the dangerous glint

hand, and left

vanished. He turned a

the

over and gently brushed Sylvia's

broken the skin.

enjoy the

smoothed her

"Alright,

parted ways, and Sylvia headed in the

made her way to the garden, only to find her

Tristan.

as soon

the kind of woman I thought you were. Throwing yourself at your so-called Uncle

known this