Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia still had the watch Rupert had left behind in her bag.

She couldn't quite understand why he'd done it.

As she mulled it over, Bridget raised her wrist for everyone to admire.

Wrapped around her pale wrist was a wide, full-diamond watch, with rubies spaced along the band and even the watch face was encrusted with rubies and white diamonds.

At first glance, it looked like a starry sky wrapped around her wrist, making it impossible to read the numbers on the dial.

It looked like a sparkling silver ribbon tied around her wrist.

Anyone with a keen eye would know that Bridget's watch was an auction piece, not something you'd see just anywhere.noveldrama

And it definitely wasn't cheap.

A colleague held up Bridget's arm, admiring it. "This looks like an antique, the craftsmanship is extraordinary, and most importantly, it suits you perfectly. Mr. Rupert really put thought into this, it must have cost a fortune, right?"

Bridget withdrew her hand, casting a glance at Sylvia's wrist, a playful smile on her lips.

"Some things are priceless when they touch your heart. I like it, and Mr. Rupert doesn't care about the price. In fact, he initially wanted to give me a watch like his own, but I wasn't into it. So he went to the auction house and got me this antique piece."

Her implication was clear-Rupert was madly in love with her.

Even though she had rejected the idea of having a matching watch, he still spared no expense to buy her what she truly wanted.

Just a little offhand comment like that was enough to make some people green with envy.

Rupert was the kind of man many women would fawn over, yet he didn't even glance their way.

And here he was, privately catering to Bridget's every whim.

After gauging everyone's reactions, Bridget made a point of looking at Sylvia.

Sylvia gripped the strap of her bag, her fingers cold and tense.

So, once again, she was left with Bridget's cast-offs.

This brought back painful memories for Sylvia.

In the past, after a wild night, Rupert would always leave behind some jewelry, but

it was always things Bridget didn't want or had discarded.

It was a relentless, humiliating cycle.

"Sylvia, what's wrong? You look a bit pale," Bridget asked, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes full of mischief.

Sylvia snapped back to reality, silently telling herself that none of it would happen again.

She set down her bag and, without looking at Bridget, calmly replied, "My foot hurts."

Bridget seemed unsatisfied with Sylvia's calm demeanor.

Just as Sylvia sat down, Bridget quickly walked over, grabbed her arms, and pulled up her sleeves.

Upon seeing Sylvia's bare wrist, Bridget let out a soft laugh.

The sound was low, but it sent a shiver down Sylvia's spine.

She yanked her arms back. "What are you doing?"

Bridget's expression shifted swiftly to one of gentle grace. "Oh Sylvia don't mind me. I just wanted to see

wha kind of watch you were va

wearing."

"I'm not wearing one," Sylvia replied, pulling her sleeves back down and grabbing

a tissue to wipe the table.

"Not wearing one? I thought you might be into watches. Well then, can you give me some advice? I'm thinking of getting a custom watch for MORupert. What style do you think would suit him? Oh, and should I have his name engraved with gemstones?"

Bridget leaned in closer, her smile widening.

Sylvia's grip

until it

on the tissue tightened

ttore, but she quickly

composed herself, balled up

tissue, and tossed it into the trash.

"You're his fiancée, and you don't know? How would I, an outsider, know?"

A colleague chimed in with a chuckle, "Exactly, I've never seen Sylvia wear a watch. How would she know? Maybe we should help you pick."

Eager to seize the opportunity to curry favor, someone else joined in, providing Sylvia with a moment of relief.

Bridget nodded and turned back to the colleagues. "Alright, I'll leave it to you then."

After a while, Sylvia couldn't bear the internal turmoil any longer. She feigned

needing a coffee refill and slipped into the break room.

Leaning against the counter, she took deep breaths.

When Bridget had asked about engraving a name on a men's watch, Sylvia knew she was being tested.

But how had she been found out?