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 Reese's

for you," Rupert said, his voice

sparkled as she lifted her hair with a smile.

unclasped the pearl necklace from her neck, replacing it with the

one.

a word, he turned to Sylvia,

stared at the pearls, refusing to

were milling about, and the two stood

tension, quickly interjected, "Mr.

glanced at the red marks on Sylvia's neck, and something seemed to click for

later. Ms.

Of course.

heard Reese's

in hand, and left

He turned a

in the chilly evening breeze, feeling

and gently brushed Sylvia's

the skin. Sylvia,

nothing, Mom. You should go enjoy the show. I just need

absentmindedly smoothed her

"Alright, take

parted ways, and Sylvia headed in the opposite direction,

to the garden, only to find her path blocked by a tall,

Tristan.

soon as he

woman I

known this was