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.

she not recognize the disappointment in

put it on for you," Rupert said,

as she lifted her hair

from her neck, replacing it with

one.

a word, he turned to Sylvia, holding out the pearl necklace. "Take it

pearls, refusing

about, and the two stood locked in this awkward

"Mr.

Sylvia's neck, and something seemed to click for

in and whispered, "Let's talk privately later. Ms. Sanford is watching."

Of course.

Reese's name, the dangerous

hand, and

He turned

the chilly

gently brushed

the skin. Sylvia, what

the

absentmindedly smoothed her

"Alright, take

parted ways, and Sylvia headed in the opposite

made her way to the garden, only to find her path blocked

Tristan.

soon as

woman I thought you were. Throwing

known this