Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Ms. Ward pointed at Lester Sanford's suit jacket.

That's when Sylvia Lloyd noticed-Lester was wearing the exact same suit brand as the one Rupert Garcia wore the night he drove her home and got ambushed by those masked guys.

Unless you had a magnifying glass, the differences were microscopic. To most people, they'd look like twins.

Lester and Rupert were about the same build, too. No wonder Ms. Ward had mistaken them.

"Ms. Ward, it's not what you think," Sylvia jumped in, trying to explain.

But Ms. Ward wasn't hearing any of it. She hovered protectively near Sylvia, like a mother hen guarding her chicks, terrified Sylvia might fall back into old habits.

"Sylvia! You promised me, no running back to your ex!"

"My ex?" Lester glanced at Sylvia, an amused smile tugging at his lips.

Sylvia suddenly felt as if she'd barely recovered from the flu and was about to faint all over again.

Ms. Ward stood her ground, arms crossed. "Sir, what's the point of thinking about Sylvia now? When she needed someone most, you were nowhere to be found. All these sweet words after the fact are like butter knives-you can't cut anyone, but you sure can irritate the heck out of them."

Sylvia froze, her cheeks flushing. Something about that hit way too close to home. She bit down hard on her lip.

Lester glanced sideways, taking in Sylvia's pale face. He spoke softly, "She's right, you know."

Sylvia blinked at him in confusion, not sure why he'd agree.

Ms. Ward, seeing how sincere he looked, finally relaxed a little. He was easy on the eyes, too.

"That's more like it. But you're not trying to win Sylvia back, are you?"

"Ms. Ward!" Sylvia protested.

"Oh, don't be shy! If you really like him, just go for it. You two would make a cute couple. Worst case, Uncle Rupert can give the guy a once-over."

Things were getting ridiculous. And just as she said that, Lester's assistant came over, phone in hand.

Sylvia panicked and quickly covered Ms. Ward's mouth, wishing she could just disappear.

"You left your phone in the car, sir. There's a... uh, important call." The assistant, Zion, shot a look at Sylvia.

Lester glanced at the screen, his eyebrows raising a little. He took the phone, turning slightly away and lowering his voice.

"Yeah. I got it."

After hanging up, Lester turned back to them politely. "Sylvia, I have to run."

Before Sylvia could say anything, Ms. Ward nudged her toward the door. "Sylvia, walk him out. I'll handle the dishes."

Left with no choice, Sylvia grabbed her coat and accompanied Lester downstairs.

"Ms. Ward's not a bad person. She's just... a little too enthusiastic and loves her gossip," Sylvia said with a sheepish smile.

Lester grinned. “Honestly, I think she made some good points."

Sylvia was about to ask which ones, but the look in Lester's eyes made her heart skip. She had a pretty good guess.

But she couldn't go there. Especially not since Lester was Reese Sanford's brother.

"Mr. Sanford, take care," she said, steering the conversation away.

Lester didn't push. He just nodded.

As they stepped outside, a gust of cold wind hit Sylvia, making her shiver.

Lester moved in front of her, blocking the wind and tugging her coat tighter around her shoulders. "Go on back inside, it's freezing."

"Okay."

Out of politeness, Sylvia waited until he got into his car before heading back in As she turned to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching her-like a bonfire burning through the winter chill.

She glanced over her shoulder at an empty patch of grass, smiled wryly at herself, and went back upstairs.

When she got in, Ms. Ward had already finished washing up and was making ginger tea.

"Thanks," Sylvia murmured, accepting the mug. Then she added, "And for the record, he's not my ex."

Ms. Ward dried her hands, a

mischievous glint in her eye. "Ohaet

know. But he sure didn't deny it, did he? And the way he looks at you... definitely not just friendly."

“Cut it out,” Sylvia muttered, pretending to sip her tea.noveldrama

Ms. Ward just chuckled, heading for the door. But then she paused, coming back

in.

"Almost forgot-next time, don't

leave

Cything valuable in the

. I put it up on the shelfl

sw.content

you. Don't forget to grab

"Valuable? What are you talking about?" Sylvia asked, puzzled.