Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 553

Sylvia still didn’t respond.

Lester closed the file that his assistant, Zion, had just handed him and rubbed the corner of his eyes. “Who’s in such a rush?”

“Sorry, did I interrupt you?” Sylvia apologized, just as she was about to answer him—but then she noticed a car had been tailing them for a while.

She hadn’t used to care about things like this, but after everything that had happened lately, she was much more alert.

That car had been on their tail since they left the wedding boutique.

Lester was busy going through paperwork in the backseat, so their own car wasn’t moving fast. The car behind them was patient, never losing sight.

Thinking it through, Sylvia improvised, “Just a client. They weren’t happy with the design, so they sent a lot of feedback.”

Lester shot her a sideways glance, his tone low. “You don’t trust me at all, huh?”

Sylvia pressed her lips together—she knew she was way out of her league trying to lie to a cunning businessman like him.

After a moment, she pointed to the plaza ahead. “Let me out here.”

Lester looked skeptical, but he still nodded for the driver to pull over.

Before she got out, Sylvia suddenly grabbed Lester’s hand, squeezing it tight for a brief moment—then she slipped out without looking back.

Inside the car, Zion turned to Lester. “Sir, should we—?”

“We’re being followed,” Lester said coldly.

“I see,” Zion replied, checking the rearview mirror with a sly grin.

***

After she got out, Sylvia headed straight into a mall and ducked into a high-end boutique.

“Welcome, ma’am—oh, it’s you!”

“I’m being followed. Can you help me out?” Sylvia said, exasperated.

“Come with me.”

The store manager, who used to work with Naomi, nodded for Sylvia to follow her. They were familiar; Naomi always brought Sylvia to gatherings, so they were more than acquaintances.

That’s why Sylvia had chosen this spot to get out.

They slipped through a staff door, into the employee hallway.

***

Orson sensed something was wrong and rushed into the boutique—only to find Sylvia was nowhere inside.

He realized immediately he’d been played.

After pressing the manager for a while, she finally pointed him to the alley behind the mall.

By the time he got there, Sylvia was long gone.

He motioned to his men to start searching, but before they could move, someone blocked his path.

Zion rolled up his sleeves, yanked off his belt, and wrapped it around his fist, grinning at Orson.

“Well, look who it is—Orson. Since when did you become the kind of guy who stalks women?”

Orson scowled. “Out of my way. I don’t have time for your games.”

“I’m not stopping you. But go ahead—try me,” Zion taunted, beckoning him forward.