Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"You're better suited for it than I am."

Reese smiled as she toyed with the necklace. "Really? Thanks, Sylvia."noveldrama

"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 was a woman herself-how could she not recognize the disappointment in Reese's tone?

"Let me put it on for you," Rupert said, his voice casual.

Reese's eyes sparkled as she lifted her hair with a smile. "Okay."

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

one.

Then, without a word, he turned to Sylvia, holding out the pearl necklace. "Take it back."

Sylvia stared at the pearls, refusing to reach for them.

People were milling about, and the two stood locked in this awkward standoff.

Orson, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, "Mr. Rupert, everyone's waiting for your scene."

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

He leaned in and whispered, "Let's talk privately later. Ms. Sanford is watching." Sylvia caught his words.

Of course.

The second Rupert heard Reese's name, the dangerous glint in

nce in hand, and left with

eyes vanished. He turned a his net

Sylvia stood there in the chilly evening breeze, feeling numb.

Naomi came over and gently brushed Sylvia's hair aside.

"You've broken the skin. Sylvia, what happened?"

"It's nothing, Mom. You should go enjoy the show. I just need a minute to rest."

Sylvia absentmindedly smoothed her hair.

Naomi nodded. "Alright, take your time."

They parted ways, and Sylvia headed in the opposite direction, away from the crowd.

She made her way to the garden, only to find her path blocked by a tall, imposing figure.

Tristan.

He sneered as soon as he spoke.

"I knew it, Sylvia. You're exactly the kind of woman I thought you were. Throwing yourself at your so-called Uncle Rupert."

She'd known this was coming.

At his words, Sylvia felt her stomach churn.

Once, she might have protested, but now... she was living proof of his accusation.

She let out a cold laugh. "Maybe you should thank yourself, Tristan. If you hadn't pushed me so far, I wouldn't be like this."

"Oh, really?" Tristan gave her a mocking smile. "You ran from the Garcia family, and what? Fell right into Rupert's lap. If he had evidence, why didn't he use it then? Why wait until you were desperate and came crawling to him?"

Sylvia's face went pale, her stomach cramping, her whole body aching.

Tristan looked down at her, eyes icy "Getting it now? You're just a toy to him. Men like to play, Sylvia. That's

all this is. So, what does that make

you?"

A single word echoed in her mind: plaything.

When she came to, Tristan was gone.

AQUMS

She crumpled to the ground, her usually bright eyes now empty, and let out a

bitter, mocking laugh at herself.

Her phone buzzed twice.

"Sylvia, are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"I'm sure."