Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"Who said that?"

"Who do you think? Either way, I'm not doing it! There's no way I'm wearing the same thing as you..."

Sylvia felt a tug on the tie around her wrist, causing her to stumble forward.

Rupert pulled her in for a kiss.

She could never say anything nice.

Sylvia resisted with all her might, and in the struggle, she felt a chill on her wrist as the watch clasped shut.

Moments later, Rupert removed the tie from her wrist and led her out of the car.

Sylvia used her free hand to try and take off the watch.

Rupert gave the tie in his hand a squeeze. "You take it off, and you're staying here."

Sylvia cursed him silently for being a madman.

But she knew all too well, he'd do anything.

With a sigh of resignation, she let her hand fall and followed him.

Rupert led her into a nearby restaurant. They must have had a reservation because the manager, seeing Rupert, promptly escorted them to their pre- reserved table.

The manager stood by the table cautiously. "Mr. Rupert, the usual?"

Rupert nodded. "Add a serving of clam chowder."

"Of course."

The food arrived promptly.

Sylvia, not one to stand on ceremony, picked up her spoon and started eating.

Halfway through, Orson showed up.

"We got them. They said Ms. Lloyd looked like she had money, so they got greedy."

Sylvia's heart sank. She bit her lip and glanced up at Rupert.

When she had mentioned the mugging, he hadn't believed her.

But now...

"Take care of it," Rupert said casually, believing it without a question.

Sylvia's face grew pale, and she put down her spoon, staring at him. "Uncle Rupert, you believe it now?"

"Yeah."

Rupert continued to eat, his expression unchanged.

Hearing that, Sylvia lost her appetite.

"So you believe random strangers over me? Is that it?"

He leisurely picked at his food, not even glancing her way. "Then what do you say happened?"

Sylvia clenched her fists, deciding to take a gamble.

"What if I say it was Bridget?"

Rupert frowned, his eyes deep and unreadable.

"Don't say anything without evidence."

Sylvia let out a cold laugh; he didn't believe her.noveldrama

She

phdup, distanced. Pulling out and medication costs. Cut

her phone, she transferred y to cover the clam ch

"I'm leaving. Uncle Rupert, enjoy your meal."

With that, she walked away.

Rupert glanced at the transfer on his phone, set down his utensils, and gestured Orson to lean in.

...

Back at the studio.

Sylvia returned to her desk, trying to appear nonchalant.

As soon as she sat down, an eagle-eyed coworker noticed the watch on her wrist.

It was then she realized she'd forgotten to take it off.

"Oh my God, Sylvia, you're full of surprises! A limited edition B-brand women's watch."

"It's fake. We were just talking about

Woday, and I saw this street. Thought it looket

on the

nice,

bought it."

Sylvia could already predict where this was going and burst their bubble directly.

The colleague, who had been

buzzing with excitement, lost interest instantly and casually- reminded her that wearing fake's in an original design studio wasn't the best idea.

Sylvia nodded, but she noticed the palpable relief in the room.

Everyone was on a level playing field; anyone who stood out would only become

a target.

With one exception, Bridget.

Because Bridget knew the watch was real, and she knew who had given it to her.

Her face was a mask of barely-contained fury.

Sylvia pretended not to notice, set her bag on the desk, and headed to the restroom.

When she returned, her bag had been tampered with, and even her old phone had been swapped.

Typical.

Bridget, it was you all along.

Sylvia sat down as if nothing had happened, pulled out her phone, and acted

oblivious, continuing with her work.

Not far away, Bridget let out a smug little laugh.