Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 346

On the other side of the hall—

Eloise stood at the front entrance with Mr. Lennon, waiting for the VIP guests to arrive. She checked her phone three times but still hadn’t managed to get ahold of Sylvia.

Mr. Lennon glanced at her. “Ms. Eloise, where’s Sylvia? Weren’t you two supposed to come together?”

Eloise offered an awkward smile. “She…”

Just then, Bridget strode over and confidently took her place at Mr. Lennon’s side.

“Sylvia’s not feeling great,” she announced. “She said she might not make it.”

Mr. Lennon frowned but didn’t comment. He seemed to accept Bridget’s presence, but being stood up by a newcomer clearly didn’t sit right with him.

Bridget couldn’t hide a little smirk.

But before she could savor her triumph, a familiar voice rang out behind her.

“Who said I wasn’t coming?”

Everyone turned. Sylvia swept in, dressed in a fiery red, high-slit evening gown that seemed to light up the room. The shimmering fabric made her skin look almost luminous, and the unique mesh overlay—dotted with a few sparkling crystals—gave her an air of mystery.

Even Bridget’s confident smile twitched.

Sylvia flashed her a cool grin. “Ms. Simpson, you must’ve misheard me. I said I’d be here in a second.”

She squeezed past Bridget and turned to Mr. Lennon. “I heard you’re a local, Mr. Lennon, so I had this dress custom-made with that special tartan from this region. Thought it’d be a nice touch.”

Mr. Lennon looked delighted. “Ms. Lloyd, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

“Just doing my part,” Sylvia replied.

“What’s so funny, Ms. Eloise?” Sylvia whispered.

“Oh, nothing. Just… this is getting interesting. Come on, you’ve got this,” Eloise nudged her.

Sylvia gritted her teeth and followed Mr. Lennon and Rupert in. Bridget, predictably, clung to Rupert like a barnacle, shooting Sylvia the occasional triumphant look.

Fortunately, Sylvia’s professionalism kicked in. She’d done her homework, so she could talk knowledgeably about all the exhibits and offer her own insights.

Mr. Lennon nodded along, clearly impressed.

Bridget tried to join the conversation, but after bungling the names of two designers, Mr. Lennon simply ignored her, leaving her to cling even harder to Rupert for validation.

As the tour wound down, a chilly breeze swept in through an unlatched window. Sylvia shivered, then coughed twice.