Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 579

She noticed one of his eyes was all red and immediately started rummaging through her bag. “Let me put some drops in for you.”

“You’ll help me?” Lester asked, his voice light.

“Of course.”

Sylvia nodded without a second thought, not catching the little smile that flickered across Lester’s face.

He sat right down next to her, waiting expectantly.

Sylvia popped open the spray bottle, and a sharp medicinal smell blasted out, making both of them cough. The stench just wouldn’t quit.

Sylvia covered her nose and mouth. “Let me open a window before we both pass out.”

She hurried across the room, cranked open the window, and breathed in some much-needed fresh air. Only then did the smell start to fade.

She glanced at the bottle—some herbal extract for redness and swelling. The scent was... complicated.

Sylvia quickly screwed the cap back on, took a deep breath by the open window, and turned to find Lester standing right beside her.

They shared a quick, knowing smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t even read the warning label,” she said, a little sheepishly.

“Do you always have to be so polite with me?” Lester teased.

Sylvia suddenly realized just how close they were standing. She fumbled for words, not sure what to do with her hands.

Before she could come up with something, Lester said, “I’m staying here tonight.”

“What?” Sylvia stared at him, stunned.

He chuckled softly. “It’s just you and Ms. Ward living on this floor, right? If what she said is true, she’s already been targeted. If someone really means harm, how are you two supposed to handle it alone?”

Sylvia knew he had a point, but she hated to trouble him.

She was about to politely decline when Lester stepped even closer, lowering his head so he was almost eye-level with her.

“Honestly, I just can’t leave you alone,” he said gently.

As he spoke, his hand reached up, fingers brushing through her hair, pausing at her cheek.

Sylvia froze, her hands tightening nervously.

She didn’t dislike Lester.

Actually, talking with him felt easy, natural.

Maybe...

As Lester leaned in, she held her breath. At the very last second, she started to raise her hand—to stop him, maybe—but before she could, the overhead light flicked off.

It couldn’t be Ms. Ward—she’d just finished talking to her.

Suddenly, Lester pulled her tight against his chest, pressing her head to his shoulder.

“Don’t be scared,” he murmured.

“I already asked Zion to wait downstairs,” he whispered in her ear.

Sylvia looked up at him, speechless, and just nodded.

But whoever did it was gone. No one could find them anywhere in the building.

Sylvia finally let out a shaky breath.

Just then, Lester’s phone rang.

He stepped away to answer it.

“Young master, we caught the guy—but it wasn’t me who did it.”