Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 473

Sylvia walked along the covered walkway, the sound of her heels echoing softly. Across the koi pond, on the opposite side, Rupert and his entourage approached.

Rupert led the group, as always. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight and elegant, his striking features almost impossibly handsome—like someone sketched out of a charcoal portrait.

He was as cold and crisp as fresh-fallen snow, as composed and mysterious as the midnight sea.

His gaze slid right past Sylvia, not lingering even a second. In fact, he seemed to pick up his pace, heading straight for Reese.

Getting engaged to someone you love—of course you’d be eager.

Sylvia and Rupert passed each other, moving in opposite directions, their stories no longer intertwined.

When the sound of party poppers burst behind her, Sylvia knew Rupert had met up with Reese.

—

The Family Room.

Sylvia and Naomi arranged the offerings for the family’s annual remembrance. When footsteps sounded behind them, they instinctively stepped to the side.

Tristan was the first to enter.

It was a surprise when, glancing around, he praised Naomi right in front of everyone. “Naomi, you did great. Get involved in family affairs more often and you’ll get used to it.”

With just those words, the Garcia relatives began eyeing Naomi with newfound respect.

Naomi straightened up and smiled. “It’s what I should do.”

Tristan nodded, and as he took his seat, his eyes lingered on Sylvia with a look she couldn’t quite read.

A strange tightness gripped Sylvia’s chest, a faint sense of unease—but Tristan said nothing further, so she forced herself to let it go.

As long as she kept her head down today, she figured Tristan wouldn’t have reason to find fault.

A few minutes later, a commotion stirred at the entrance.

Rupert entered, hand in hand with Reese. Everyone’s faces lit up as they walked in, grinning from ear to ear.

If Sylvia hadn’t seen it for herself, she never would have believed the Garcia family could all smile like that.

She found herself smiling, too, swept up in Reese’s infectious joy.

Reese wore a long red velvet dress, her laughter warming the entire room.

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