Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 656

Sylvia found Ms. Ward near the main entrance of the supermarket, busy watching a commotion.

"Sylvia, are you okay? I got pushed out by the crowd and couldn't squeeze back in," Ms. Ward said, smoothing down her ruffled dress.

"I'm fine, I slipped out through the side entrance," Sylvia explained.

"You always have the foresight. Come on, let's head back quickly." Ms. Ward pulled out her phone to check the time. "It's almost one o'clock? Let's take a cab back. I specifically bought some ribs so I could make you some soup."

"Let's just make something simple. You don't have to go through all that trouble."

Sylvia couldn't shake the feeling that Ms. Ward was acting a bit strange today.

She wasn't gossiping, and she was being unusually considerate.

Ms. Ward helped her to the side of the road to hail a cab, chattering away. "We can't just throw something together. Your hand is still injured, so you need proper nourishment."

Sylvia didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but she followed her into the taxi anyway.

On the ride back, Ms. Ward pointed at the groceries in the bags, listing off all the delicious dishes she planned to make.

The more Sylvia listened, the more confused she became. "Ms. Ward, how do you know all of my favorite dishes?"

Ms. Ward's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly covered it up. "We've eaten together so many times, of course I noticed! I'm the queen of gossip; did you really think anything could escape my eyes?"

"Right, right."

Sylvia nodded.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, Ms. Ward rushed to pay the fare. As she unlocked her phone, the screen briefly flashed a notification for a received payment of tens of thousands of dollars.

Sylvia asked in astonishment, "Ms. Ward, did you hit the jackpot or something?"

Ms. Ward hurriedly exited the screen and pulled Sylvia out of the car.

"Uh... remember how I used to work overtime constantly? We recently finished that project, so that's my bonus."

"Such a huge company sends bonuses through a Twitter transfer? Are the boss and the accounting department trying to get fired?" Sylvia exclaimed in disbelief.

"Shh, it's an under-the-table reward. We can't talk about it," Ms. Ward whispered.

Sylvia nodded, playing along as if she understood.

Ms. Ward was a notorious hard worker. Last year, she had basically spent the entire year working overtime to rush projects.

With that in mind, a massive private bonus like that was well-deserved.

Ms. Ward ushered Sylvia into the elevator and stealthily sent a text message behind her back.

After eating, Sylvia and Ms. Ward chatted for a little while longer before both turning in to rest.

...

The next day.

The entire Garcia family was bustling with preparations for Rupert and Reese's wedding.

Lester was invited over for lunch, taking the opportunity to drop off the gifts his relatives had brought for Reese.

As soon as he stepped into the dining room, he noticed an unfamiliar face among the Garcia family members he had met before.

A woman sat next to Tristan Garcia. She looked poised, but her gaze was fiercely predatory.

When she looked at Lester, she offered a faint smile.

Lester gave a polite nod and immediately turned to walk over to Reese.

"I had Zion take your things to your courtyard."

"Okay." Reese nodded, her smile looking rather forced. Her eyes kept darting toward the doorway.