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.

was a woman herself-how could she not recognize the

it on for you," Rupert said, his voice

she lifted her hair with a smile.

the pearl necklace from her neck,

one.

turned to Sylvia, holding out the pearl

the pearls, refusing to reach for

the two stood locked in

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

the red marks on Sylvia's

talk privately later. Ms.

Of course.

heard Reese's

in hand, and left

turned

stood there in the chilly evening breeze,

over and gently

broken the skin.

enjoy the show. I

absentmindedly smoothed her

nodded. "Alright, take

ways, and Sylvia headed in the opposite direction,

garden, only to

Tristan.

as soon as

the kind of woman I

known this was