Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia followed Naomi into the Garcia family estate.

On the way in, they passed several members of the Garcia clan. Naomi greeted everyone warmly, but most of them barely acknowledged her and Sylvia-if anything, they seemed colder than before.

Sylvia frowned. "Mom, didn't they get to the bottom of the whole engagement gift mix-up? Why are they still giving you the cold shoulder?"

Naomi let out a bitter chuckle. "It's not about that. I talked to Tristan and asked him to take me off the running for house manager."

Sylvia blinked, surprised. "Why? I thought you always wanted to prove yourself."

Naomi sighed. "Sylvia, the engagement mess was my fault. But honestly, I've made my peace with it. Reese is marrying in, and someone with her background will end up managing the place sooner or later. She's a good kid. She'll be fair to me."

Naomi clearly thought the world of Reese.

But her words hit Sylvia like a needle to the heart-sharp and invisible, leaving her numb and aching.

It wasn't jealousy. It was guilt.

And as if on cue, Reese appeared.

She was wearing a light gray herringbone coat-one that looked awfully familiar.

Sylvia's eyes flickered in recognition. Rupert had worn the same style today.

Reese caught her looking and grinned, running her hand down the sleeve. "What do you think? Looks good, right? I had it custom-made as matching coats."noveldrama

"Yeah, it's nice," Sylvia replied, not daring to meet Reese's eyes.

Reese handed them each a box. "Naomi, a little New Year's gift for you."

"Oh, Reese, you're too sweet! We're all family now, you didn't have to," Naomi said, her face lighting up as she opened the box.

Inside was a cashmere shawl-luxurious and elegant. Naomi draped it over her shoulders immediately, clearly delighted.

Reese turned to Sylvia, tapping the box in her hands. "This one was picked out by someone special for you. If you don't like it, go yell at him."

"Who?" Sylvia asked, puzzled.

Reese burst out laughing. "Ha! Who else? If my brother heard you ask that, he'd probably faint."

Sylvia's cheeks colored as she realized. "Oh-um, tell Mr. Sanford thank you for me."

Reese winked. "Don't thank me. Take him out for dinner someday, he'll appreciate that more."

Sylvia pressed her lips together, unsure what to say.

As they chatted, Reese's gaze lingered on the necklace around Sylvia's neck.

Sylvia noticed and self-consciously touched the string of pearls. "What? Is there something wrong with it?"

Reese snapped back to the moment. "No, it's gorgeous. I just wonder if the one Mr. Rupert is giving me will be as pretty as that."

"What?" Sylvia's fingers froze, staring at Reese, confused.

Reese blushed, looking bashful. "I overheard Orson telling Mr. Rupert that the pearl necklace he ordered had arrived-he said it's my New Year's gift."

The color drained from Sylvia's face.

Suddenly, the necklace around her neck felt like a chain-tight, suffocating, painful.

"Sylvia? Hey, Sylvia, are you okay?" Reese nudged her, concern etched on her face.

Sylvia snapped out of it and realized she was gripping the necklace so tightly it was digging into her throat.

No wonder she couldn't breathe.

There it was again—her old problem. She knew she was sick, but it felt like no one else could see it.

Seeing the worry in Reese's eyes, Sylvia forced a smile. "I'm fine. Actually, if you like this necklace so much, I... I want you to have it."

She almost said "I'll give it to you," but the truth was, this necklace was meant for Reese all along. Who was she to "give" it?

With trembling hands, she tried to unclasp the necklace, but the clasp was stuck. She kept fiddling with it, scratching her skin raw, not even noticing the pain.

"Sylvia, you don't have to. Mr. Rupert's giving me one anyway," Reese protested,

not wanting to take what wasn't hers.

But that only made Sylvia more

desperate. What if Reese didn't actually get Rupert's necklace? Wouldn't she be disappointed? Who

was Sylvia to keep it?

Finally, Sylvia managed to get the clasp undone and gently fastened the pearls

around Reese's neck.