Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia was stunned when she first saw the scarf.

After all, she'd tossed it into the trash herself.

So how did it end up in Rupert's yard?

Unless he actually went digging through the garbage truck to get it back.

But after hearing what the housekeeper said, Sylvia realized it didn't even matter

how the scarf found its way back to Rupert.

It was just trash in the end.noveldrama

Rupert must have known she'd been in his yard and just tossed the scarf out without a second thought.

She got the message loud and clear.

The housekeeper stared at Sylvia. "Ms. Lloyd, is there anything else you need?"

Sylvia let go and shook her head. "No, that's all."

The housekeeper tugged the scarf out of her hands and walked away.

Watching that bright red disappear, Sylvia noticed her palm was bleeding from

how tightly she'd clenched her fist. She didn't even feel the pain.

With a bitter smile, she came back to her senses-just in time to see her mother, Naomi, instructing people to move the gift baskets.

Reality snapped back. Sylvia rushed over to stop her.

"Mom, did you check every single one?"

"There are over two hundred baskets! How long would that take? Besides, this is the Garcia estate. Who would dare mess around? Relax."

Naomi waved the staff to keep going.

Sylvia grabbed her mother's arm. "No way. It doesn't matter where you are-when you sign your name, you're responsible. This is your first time organizing something this big for the Garcias. You need to be careful."

Naomi hesitated, then nodded.

"You're right. Okay, you guys-stop for a minute. Unwrap everything and check it all."

Sylvia jumped in to help.

It turned out to be the right call. Five baskets were missing items-two were short on skincare products, three were missing bracelets.

Altogether, that was thousands of dollars.

Maybe it was chump change for families like the Garcias and Sanfords, but the responsibility would fall squarely on Naomi's shoulders.

Naomi broke out in a cold sweat. "Thank goodness we checked. How would I explain this to Tristan?"

"Didn't the delivery company say they'd double-check everything?" Sylvia handed her a tissue.

Naomi took a shaky breath. "Yeah. Well, crisis averted."

But Sylvia's nerves still wouldn't settle.

"Mom, you really should have someone keep a close eye on things."

Naomi nodded. "Once it's in the house, it's on us. Nothing will go wrong. Come on-the kitchen just messaged me to come taste the dishes."

She dragged Sylvia off toward the kitchen.

***

Tea Room.

Just as Rupert walked in, Tristan set down his teacup.

He eyed Rupert, thoughtful. "You came with Sylvia? How'd you end up together?"

"Reese asked me to pick her up," Rupert replied, dropping into a chair.

"So it was your idea for Reese to suddenly invite Sylvia to the Garcia estate?" Tristan's tone was sharp as he poured Rupert some tea.

Rupert didn't touch the tea. Instead, he lit a cigarette right there in front of Tristan. Through the swirl of smoke, he said coolly, "They already knew each other."

He didn't confirm, didn't deny.

Tristan narrowed his eyes and coughed pointedly, reminding Rupert of the no- smoking rule.

Rupert ignored him, taking his sweet time with the cigarette.

After a tense moment, the butler hurried in and whispered something in Tristan's

ear.

Tristan immediately looked at Rupert through the haze, his gaze cold and sharp. But no matter how hard he stared, he couldn't read what Rupert was thinking.

Rupert stubbed out his half-finished cigarette and stood up. "Dad, looks like you're busy. I'll get going.

t belongs to

The door shut behind him.

Staring at the untouched tea on the table, Tristan's face darkened. He flicked the cup away in frustration.

"Heh. Playing games, are we? He

didn't

show me Sylvia's got the Sanford family backing her now! I really underestimated that girl."

Vene here for tea-he came to

“Mr. Garcia, should we keep looking for that person?" the butler asked nervously.

"Looking? You could dig to the ends of the earth and still not find a trace."