Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 253

"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?"

"It's fake. We were just talking about watches today, and I saw this one on the street. Thought it looked nice, so I 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 fakes 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.