Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia still didn't respond.

Lester closed the file that his assistant, Zion, had just handed him and rubbed the corner of his eyes. "Who's in such a rush?"

"Sorry, did I interrupt you?" Sylvia apologized, just as she was about to answer him—but then she noticed a car had been tailing them for a while.

She hadn't used to care about things like this, but after everything that had happened lately, she was much more alert.

That car had been on their tail since they left the wedding boutique.

Lester was busy going through paperwork in the backseat, so their own car wasn't moving fast. The car behind them was patient, never losing sight.

Thinking it through, Sylvia improvised, "Just a client. They weren't happy with the design, so they sent a lot of feedback."

Lester shot her a sideways glance, his tone low. "You don't trust me at all, huh?"

Sylvia pressed her lips together-she knew she was way out of her league trying to lie to a cunning businessman like him.

After a moment, she pointed to the plaza ahead. "Let me out here."

Lester looked skeptical, but he still nodded for the driver to pull over.

Before she got out, Sylvia suddenly grabbed Lester's hand, squeezing it tight for a

brief moment-then she slipped out without looking back.

Inside the car, Zion turned to Lester. "Sir, should we-?"

being followed," Lester said

replied, checking the rearview mirror with

***

Sylvia headed straight into a mall and ducked

"Welcome, ma'am-oh, it's you!"

you help me out?" Sylvia

"Come with me."

manager, who used to work with Naomi, nodded for Sylvia to follow her.

had chosen this spot to get

through a staff door, into

behind the mall.

"Thank you."

to your mom for me. She hasn't been around

in the mountains on a retreat, barely any cell service. When she's back, I'll bring her for dinner with you guys Sylvia replied with a smile.

"Deal."

on and

into the crowd in

kept buzzing

She checked it-Yves had

over a

commands, and now

the things he wrote made her

was capable of

was exactly