Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Lester furrowed his brow and said firmly, "I trust Sylvia. And Mr. Rupert, too."

Hearing this, Sylvia felt a rush of warmth in her chest and gave Lester a grateful smile.

So, trust can be this simple, she thought.

You don't always need a mountain of evidence.

Just then, she noticed someone watching her from the side—a gaze, cold and shadowy.

Sylvia ignored it and pressed on, "Mr. Sanford, do you know her?"

Reese rubbed his forehead, straightened up, and introduced, "Fay's an old friend of mine-she's my maid of honor, actually. We went to high school together, then studied abroad. She used to visit me at college a lot, so she's met Mr. Rupert a few times. That's why she's so invested in my wedding."

"Sylvia, you and-"

Her voice broke off, eyes going a little red.

Before Sylvia could reply, Fay jumped in, her voice sharp, "Reese, isn't it obvious? She's just looking for trouble, trying to snag Mr. Rupert when no one's around!"

Sylvia arched an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"Of course. I know Mr. Rupert would never do something like that. But you?" Fay shot a glare at Sylvia. "You're the one with the shady motives."

let out

two male voices cut through the

spend two minutes

a curtain, holding a

shove.

for a friend. Happened to run into Sylvia here. But come on, guys, she can't be hitting on all three of us at once,

who he was talking

glance at someone

"Wait-you two? How'd you even get in

"Ms. Langley, what do you think? We walked in.

"No way!" Fay blurted.

"Ms. Langley, how can you be

guessed," Fay stammered,

Fay was the one who'd

wasn't Fay supposed to be Reese's best friend—and maid of honor?

when they did, Sylvia wasn't sure how she'd have explained this

but Reese stepped in to

Rupert's side and slipped her arm through his. "I trust

frustration clear in

Didn't you say you wanted to take me and my brother out for dinner? Mr. Rupert's here, let's all go

taking the