Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Reese picked up the scarf, turning it over in her hands. She poked her finger through a hole and let out a snort. "Well, would you look at that? It's torn. He must've forgotten to toss it out-definitely not like him. It's not even cashmere, not soft at all. Whatever, just pack it away for now."

"Of course, ma'am."

Reese was Rupert's soon-to-be wife, so the housekeeper just nodded and took the scarf, stashing it in the box nearby without another word.

Once Reese finished tidying up, she glanced around the walk-in closet. The floor was littered with her own suitcases and a pile of clothes she'd decided to get rid of.

What if Rupert saw this mess and thought she was a slob?

"Can you guys help me clean this up? If you like any of these clothes, feel free to take whatever you want from the pile."

"Thank you, Ms. Sanford."

With practiced efficiency, the staff swept up the boxes and carted them away.

Sylvia wandered back to Naomi's cottage. Naomi was busy fussing over the seating chart for the engagement party.

Catching a glimpse of Sylvia's face, Naomi pressed her lips together. "You don't have to push yourself with this. I can handle the rest.”

Sylvia sat down and flipped open the guest book, scanning the notes. "No worries. If I don't help, someone else will just end up making your life harder."

Naomi reached out and gently shut the book. "Sylvia, are you doing this because of me?"

"Of course. But are you really going to divorce Edwin?"

Naomi hesitated, looking uncertain. "I... I don't know."

Sylvia gave a reassuring smile, pretending not to care as she flipped to another page. "Don't worry. You two finally made it this far. I know exactly how Edwin's treated us all these years. I'd never come between you."

Naomi relaxed a little, then confessed, "Sylvia, I used to think Rupert had feelings for you... but Reese is a good person. She's nothing like Bridget. It's no surprise Rupert's chosen her. Everyone's rooting for them."

"Mom, please," Sylvia cut her off, her voice flat. "I get it."

Naomi sighed heavily, just as a few maids approached.

"Mrs. Naomi, the party favors for the engagement dinner have just arrived. Would you like to check and sign for them?"

Noticing Sylvia zoning out over the guest list, Naomi grabbed her hand. "Come on. Help me with this."

Sylvia didn't protest.

Down in the foyer, Naomi opened one of the boxes to inspect the contents.

Sylvia glanced inside and did a

double-take. The gift boxes weren't just filled with luxury skincare but each one also had a custom-designed designer bracelet, made especially for the engagement.

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Naomi whispered, "Just the bracelet alone cost over four thousand dollars Add the skincare and those gourmet chocolates, and each gift box is worth nearly eight grand."

Sylvia looked at the two hundred gift boxes stacked in the hall, her mind reeling at the numbers.

And this was only the engagement.

The delivery guy handed Naomi a

clipboard. "Mrs. Naomi, please

check and sign. Everything's bolnet

prepared exactly how Mr. Rupert wanted. We wouldn't dare mess it up." sŵnovel

At that, Sylvia went rigid, her hands balling into fists.

Rupert was cruel-forcing her to watch while he and Reese celebrated.

She clenched her jaw, determined not to show a hint of weakness, but she still felt herself sway.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of red on one of the maids' necks.

Suddenly, Sylvia rushed over and grabbed the scarf from the maid's neck.

At a hidden seam, she spotted a stitch she'd missed.

She had meant to fix it, but ended up leaving it there as a secret mark- something special.

Her voice shook, "Where'd you get this?"

The maid quickly explained, "It was tossed out from Mr. Rupert's place. He said ifnoveldrama

any of us liked it, we could have it."