Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 148

Watching the figure standing beside the flowerbed, Bailey raised an eyebrow, her understanding clear.

Just as she was about to speak, Bridget walked straight up to Bailey and extended her hand.

"Bailey, pleasure to meet you. I'm Rupert's fiancée, Bridget."

Bailey glanced at Bridget, then at her outstretched hand, offering a light, breezy smile. "I'm sorry, Ms. Simpson, I've just been pruning the flowers, and my hands are quite dirty."

Bridget's hand stiffened for a moment before she awkwardly lowered it.

No sooner had she dropped her hand than Bailey took a towel from a servant, cleaned her hands, and made her way directly to Rupert, effectively treating his fiancée as if she were invisible.

Bailey sat down next to Rupert, poured him a cup of coffee, and addressed the others, "Please, take a seat. Eloise has already shared your details with me, so there's no need for any painstaking introductions. I prefer to keep things casual."

The underlying message was clear.

Bridget clenched her purse, a fleeting look of malice flashing in her eyes.

This old lady, putting on airs?

If not for her remaining usefulness, when would she ever get the chance to strut around like this?

But outwardly, Bridget maintained her image of gentle grace flawlessly.

As she took her seat, she leaned slightly towards Rupert, pushing the cup away from him as though making her territory.

"Bailey, sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid Rupert doesn't fancy this type of coffee."

Doesn't fancy?

Sylvia quietly sipped the coffee, her confidence growing as the rich, aromatic flavor confirmed it was, in fact, Rupert's preferred blend.

"What do you think?"

On her finger were two rings.

One was a Paparacha ring, the central stone around thirty carats, surrounded by colorless pink diamonds. In the sunlight, the orange-pink halo it cast was a striking testament to its exceptional quality.

The other was a Camellia ring, featuring a fifteen-carat blue sapphire at its heart. The petals were intricately layered - the inner adorned with white diamonds and the outer with pink chalcedony, offering a sense of lightness despite its substantial appearance on her finger.

Given Bailey's question, it seemed she was asking which looked better.

Bridget glanced briefly, confidently speaking first, "The quality of this Paparacha is rare- the balance between orange and pink perfect, with just the right amount of layering. But... I think the camellia ring suits you better. It’s profound and delicate without being overly flirtatious."

Bailey, covering her mouth, chuckled lightly. "Ms. Simpson, your words almost sound like a compliment to me."

Bridget praised, "You have impeccable taste. Anyone who chooses this piece proves they are as radiant as the flower it represents."