Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 15

Sylvia had barely reached her dorm building when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Whirling around, her classmate, out of breath, pointed towards the main academic building. "Sylvia, Professor White wants you to head over to the dean's office, pronto."

"Alright."

Turning on her heel, Sylvia headed towards the academic building.

Along the way, she caught multiple people looking her way, whispering and pointing with malice in their eyes. It looked like she was walking into a lion's den.

...

In the office.

The moment Sylvia stepped in, she realized she wasn't alone with Professor White. Rupert and Bridget were also there.

Locking eyes with Rupert felt like staring down a black mamba; she felt his gaze could poison her in the next second.

She momentarily held her breath, clinching her fists to steady herself. But Rupert's gaze never wavered from her.

Then, a slender figure gracefully approached. It was her so-called friend from a past life, Freya.

Freya had helped Sylvia out once when she fainted from hypoglycemia during a part-time job; thus Sylvia had always trusted her, always listened to her, almost blindly.

But who would have guessed, the supposedly impoverished Freya had been in cahoots with the heiress Bridget all along. Freya had always played the wolf in sheep's clothing near Sylvia. Seeing Sylvia, Freya, as usual, took her hand with feigned concern.

Before Sylvia could even speak, Freya rushed to say, "Sylvia, you should apologize to Bridget right away. I believe you didn't mean to slander her online just for the competition slot." So that was the issue at hand.

Sylvia looked at her blankly, perhaps too directly, causing Freya's usually timid eyes to flicker with a hint of guilt.

"Sylvia, what's wrong? I'm just looking out for you. If you apologize now and give the competition slot back to Ms. Simpson, Mr. Garcia and the dean will surely not pursue this further."

If this had been her past life, Sylvia would have believed Freya was genuinely concerned, afraid Sylvia would get into trouble with the elites.

In reality, it was all about making her admit to slandering Bridget online with false accusations.

Sylvia subtly pulled her hand away, countering, "If you believe me, why should I apologize? How is this apology any different from admitting to a crime?"

Freya was taken aback, speechless for a while, and even looked at Sylvia with disbelief.

Hearing this, the dean, who had been bowing and scraping at Rupert, turned around with a face full of anger.

"Sylvia! This is a school! Bridget was the chosen candidate, and I've mentioned this before. I can't believe you let jealousy drive you to such lengths, first trying to hype yourself up with Mr. Garcia online, then spreading rumors about Bridget. We cannot allow a student with such poor moral character to represent our school in the competition!"

Professor White, who had always been supportive of Sylvia, couldn't stand it anymore.

"Sylvia isn't like that, she..."

Before he could finish, a sobbing sound came from the couch. Bridget was nestled against Rupert's shoulder, her eyes glistening with tears, evoking sympathy.

She sniffled, "Please don't argue over me. Just give the slot to Sylvia. My reputation is already tarnished. Going out there would only bring shame to our school."

After saying that, she looked up at Rupert with eyes filled with unsaid words, but eventually, she just swallowed her grievances silently.

"I'm sorry for embarrassing you."

This scene tugged even at Professor White's heart, who had intended to help Sylvia. This was Bridget's special talent; she always knew how to make others feel sorry for her.

As expected, Rupert wrapped an arm around Bridget's shoulders, his long hand gently caressing her, a gesture of affection and pampering. The ruby ring on his finger reflected his untouchable status.

He turned to Sylvia, his eyes profound and dangerous like the coldest stars in the night sky, chilling yet inscrutable. He beckoned with a cold voice, "Sylvia, come here, or you'll regret it."

Memories of Rupert disregarding her well-being to protect Bridget in her past life flooded back like a tidal wave.