Sylvia couldn''t help it-she burst outughing.

Lester saw herugh, and with a grin, handed her the carton of milk he''d just stuck a straw in. He wasughing too now, the mood infectious.

Meanwhile, outside the door-

Rupert had been standing there for a while, ncing sideways at Orson.

Orson stood rigid and serious, murmuring under his breath, "He had iting." Rupert said nothing, eyes fixed on the door, staring at Sylvia through the ss. But Sylvia''s gaze was on Lester, her bright eyes reflecting his image in them. She''d really let Lester into her heart.

She hadn''t immediately said yes to Lester''s confession, but she hadn''t turned him down, either. She didn''t even pull her hand away when he kissed it.

So this is what it feels like to be on the outside, Rupert realized. She was right there-so close-but the bitterness of it made it hard to breathe, just this once. And yet, he''d made her feel this way over and over, disappointment after disappointment.

Why would she choose him, anyway?

Orson stepped in closer, reminding him, "Mr. Rupert, aren''t you going in to clear things up?"

"Let''s go."

Rupert''s tone was calm, but his fists were clenched so tight the veins stood out, as if he was barely holding something back.

...

A weekter.

Sylvia was at her studio when she got a call from the police station.

Yves had been detained. There was no way he''d escape conviction.fn77d6 Get full chapters from find?novel/fn77d6

But Kay? She was just there to answer some questionspletely unscathed.

The guy who''d died had beenbeled the mastermind threatening Naomi. Sylvia knew the truth wasn''t that simple, but she didn''t have enough evidence to prove it.

It wasn''t until she hung up the phone that she really understood what Edwin had meant by "tie up loose ends" and how vital that was.

Sylvia let out a sigh.

Just then, the receptionist walked in carrying a massive bouquet.

“Sylvia, these are for you again—third day in a row! Someone''s got themselves a secret admirer, huh?"

"Thanks."

Sylvia just smiled, taking the flowers and ncing at the card tucked inside.

Seeing Lester''s initials, her lips curved into a tiny smile.

"Who''s it from?" another coworker piped up, curiosity drawing a little crowd.

Sylvia knew how office gossip spread, so she onlyughed and waved them off. "I''ll tell you guys someday."

"Oooh, must be someone special if you''re being all mysterious about it," someone teased.

Sylvia just grinned, saying nothing more.

She didn''t expect the new girl to overhear everything.

"Sylvia''s got a boyfriend? Why aren''t you treating us? I heard that

whenever someone gets a boyfriend here, it''s tradition to bring your significant other and treat the office to lunch. You cant be that stingy, can you? Didn''t you just get à bonus, too? Or maybe you just made this boyfriend up?"  s

"Don''t take it the wrong way, Sylvia, I''ve just got a big mouth," the woman said,

not sounding at all sorry.

That was Fay Langley, the new hire who''d startedst week.

Back when Eloise''s divorce threw the studio into chaos, Sylvia had no choice but to call in some favors. Fay was the result her family supplied gemstones, and she''d just graduated from an art school overseas, specifically requesting to be mentored by Eloise.  s

She had a bit of a princessplex, but the male coworkers seemed to love it.

Sylvia didn''t really know Fay, but Fay seemed to have it out for her for some

reason.

Sylvia even racked her memory for any past-life drama, but nope-she definitely didn''t know this girl.

Fay, growing impatient at Sylvia''s silence, rolled her eyes. "Whatever, forget it.”

"All right, I''ll treat everyone. But don''t expect to meet my boyfriend."

Sylvia had been nning to take the team out anyway, especially since she''d enjoyed her share of free lunches at others'' celebrations before if she said no now, every offer would think she was just mooching.  s

Fay gave her a loaded look. "Great, I''ll pick the restaurant. I promise you won''t be disappointed."

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