Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 535

After dinner, Sylvia stood up, ready to leave, but Reese gently slipped her arm through Sylvia’s.

“Sylvia, why are you suddenly marrying Yves? I thought you and my brother…”

“No, you got it wrong,” Sylvia cut her off, not wanting Lester dragged into this mess.

Reese looked around, then pulled Sylvia aside, lowering her voice. “Look, Yves is a decent guy, but his mom? Not so much. You can’t just look at the man—you need to check out the whole family. You should think this through. I mean, you could do way better—someone like my brother or even Mr. Rupert. You’re not exactly lacking in options, you know?”

Sylvia felt a sharp pang inside.

Sometimes, she wished Reese would just flaunt her perfect life, give Sylvia a reason to hate her or at least keep her distance. But Reese’s confidence, her ease, just highlighted how out of place Sylvia truly was.

Kids who grow up wrapped in love—they get praised even if their petals are a little uneven. What others call “showing off” is just Reese’s normal.

Sylvia pressed her lips together, swallowed the bitterness, and forced a calm smile, nodding.

She couldn’t even remember what Reese said next.

After they said goodbye, Yves called out to her.

“Sylvia, I’ve looked into everything about you. Just behave yourself and get ready to marry me—I’ll treat you right.”

“Mr. Hanson,” Sylvia shot back, “I’m curious—since you don’t seem to like me at all, why’d you agree to marry me just because Ms. Winslet asked?”

Yves hesitated, his voice rough. He stepped closer, his shadow looming over her, eyes dropping down. “Guess it’s… your legs. They’re really something.”

With that, he smirked, and walked off to the parking lot with Mrs. Hanson trailing behind.

Sylvia stood outside the restaurant, Yves’ words echoing in her ears. The night air suddenly turned cold, sending a shiver down her spine.

She pulled her coat tighter and started looking for a cab.

She’d barely taken a few steps when a car rolled up beside her. The window slid down halfway, revealing the sharp, chiselled lines of a man’s face.

“Get in.”

Sylvia gave him a look and kept walking. The car slowed to match her pace.

“You and Ms. Winslet—and the Hansons—you’re working together, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. How did you know? That’s not public info.” Suspicion flickered in his gaze.

“So you just see me as—” Sylvia faltered, unable to say it aloud.

In that moment, Rupert’s phone rang.

Reese’s gentle voice came through, “Mr. Rupert, I…”

“I’ll be right there,” he cut her off.

He turned to leave, then paused a few steps away, glancing back at Sylvia with a warning.

“Don’t say anything stupid.”