Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Reese reached out to take the jacket from the crook of his arm, but he sidestepped her gesture so smoothly it was almost unnoticeable.

"I've got it. You should get some sleep," Rupert said.

Her hand hovered in mid-air. She looked up at him, a little lost. "Aren't we... going

to bed together?"

Rupert hung up his coat. "Got work to do. You go ahead."

Without waiting for her reply, he headed for his study.

Reese stood there, fingers twisting nervously together. She bit her lip. "Mr. Rupert... Did I do something wrong?"

He paused, his reply flat and distant. "Don't overthink it."

"You said that last time too," Reese pressed, unable to help herself. "But you're always home late, and when you do come back, you've got bruises. Where do you go every night?"

Rupert stopped in his tracks, his eyes suddenly dark and unreadable as he looked at her.

He opened his mouth, but Reese quickly raised a hand to stop him.

She forced a small smile, trying to sound upbeat. "Never mind. I'm just getting pre-wedding jitters, I guess. You're a busy man, Mr. Rupert. It's not like there's much else for you besides work. Go on, don't let me keep you. I'll head to bed.” Rupert just grunted and disappeared into his study.

Reese watched him go, not even glancing back, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

But after a moment, she took a deep breath, wiped her face hard, and told herself it was fine.

At least he'd agreed to marry her. He was good to her, in his own way.

Once they were married, she was sure things would settle down.

The next morning, Reese, as Rupert's soon-to-be wife, needed to join him in paying their respects to his father, Tristan.

Tristan was practically beaming, showering Reese with gifts-fancy chocolates, imported cheese, a delicate silver locket.

He insisted they stay for breakfast.

"Reese, you've gone through a lot with this engagement," he said, his tone warm and paternal. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you're treated right."

Reese glanced at Rupert, who sat beside her with his usual blank expression. She forced a smile. "Really, I'm fine. The wedding's. coming up so soon, I don't want any family drama. Please, don't trouble yourself over it."

Tristan stirred his oatmeal, a hint of a cold smile at the corner of his lips.

He shot Rupert a sidelong glance, his voice suddenly stern. "It's not you making trouble, Reese. Some people just aren't acting in good faith. But don't worry, I know how to handle these things."

His words sounded like he was defending Reese, but the message was clearly for Rupert.

Reese looked down, awkward, not knowing what to say. She quietly ate her breakfast.

When they finished, she excused herself—she had medicine to take, after all.

As she stood, Tristan's voice turned pointed. "Last night was a big night for you two. Why'd you come home so late?"

Rupert set down his fork, took the hot towel from the maid, and wiped his hands with deliberate care.

"Had to catch a thief," he replied, calm as ever.

Tristan's expression shifted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rupert looked up, his gaze unreadable. "You're right, Dad. Reese deserves to be protected. So, the thief had to be caught."noveldrama

He handed off the towel and nodded toward the door.

Just then, Orson, the family's security chief, marched in with a man in tow, shoving him to the floor at Tristan's feet.

Tristan, a man who'd seen his share of storms, didn't flinch. He just clenched his fist tighter.

But the butler's face paled-because the man on the ground looked eerily similar to him.

Rupert looked down at the man, then said, "The guy who brought the fruit basket to the engagement party-he snuck in through the back door at six a.m. yesterday."

The butler couldn't stay quiet. "He was just delivering fruit! The fresh stuff can't be left overnight, so he brought it early to keep it fresh, that's all!"

Rupert shot him a cold look. "Did I ask you?"

Tristan snorted. "Is the butler lying?"

Rupert shook his head. "No, but the problem is, he got greedy. Everyone was focused on the custom

bracelet, but you all forgot there was a set of luxury skincare products in the gift box-worth over five grand."

The room fell silent.