Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 19

As Sylvia's heart threatened to leap out of her chest, Rupert pulled back, casting a glance at the young couple behind the tree. "Something wrong?" his voice was cool, laced with impatience.

The moment they recognized Rupert, the couple quickly bowed their heads in respect, "Sorry, Mr. Garcia, we'll leave right away." The young lovers hurried off.

Listening to their retreating footsteps, Sylvia let out a sigh of relief. She tried to push Rupert away, but he caught her wrist.

"Go pack your things. I'll asked Orson to wait in the parking lot. He'll drive you to the apartment."

It wasn't a suggestion, but a command, his deep voice brooking no argument.

Sylvia stiffened, her eyelashes fluttering as she struggled to contain the turmoil within her.

In his eyes, she wasn't a person, but a compliant doll, to be manipulated and discarded at will.

Gritting her teeth, she fought to free herself from his grasp.

"No need. If you're worried, we can go to the hospital for a check-up in a month."

Rupert's eyes narrowed, a chill flashing through them as if surprised by Sylvia's resistance.

The air between them was about to freeze when his phone rang.

It was Bridget.

Seizing the moment, Sylvia took a few steps back, calmly saying, "Uncle, you're busy. I'll leave now." She turned and walked away without lingering. Behind her, those eyes following her unfathomable.

It took a few rings before Rupert casually answered the call.

"What's up?"

"There are so many reporters, I'm so scared," Bridget sobbed.

"I'm on my way."

Rupert left.

Sylvia, who hadn't gone far, sensed something and turned around to see Rupert's hurried departure.

The only person who could make him rush like that was Bridget. With a cold laugh, Sylvia walked away.

On the other side.

Bridget clenched her phone, watching a couple chat nonchalantly ahead of her.

"Didn't expect Mr. Garcia to be so eager, to actually do that in...But who's that woman? Mr. Garcia is so protective of her."

"Who else could it be? It's gotta be Bridget."

Standing behind them, Bridget immediately guessed who was with Rupert - Sylvia.

Overnight, Sylvia's demeanor had changed, and so had Rupert's.

Clenching her fists, Bridget turned and walked towards the parking lot.

...

In the dormitory.

As graduation neared, the entire building seemed somewhat deserted. Taking advantage of the quiet, Sylvia opened her closet and pulled out her manuscripts.

In her previous life, Rupert had secretly given all these designs to Bridget. Bridget's fame skyrocketed, becoming a sought-after jewelry designer. It wasn't until eight years later when Bridget returned from abroad to boast in front of her, revealing the harsh truth. "Back then, Rupert loved me so much, he gave me your designs to make up to me. He said this was what you owed me. Serves you right! After being with him for eight years, with your child so big, he still despised you. How pathetic are you?" When Sylvia heard this at the time, Sylvia had fainted from exhaustion. As she woke up, she found that Rupert, to win Bridget's favor, had given her years of hard work to Bridget once again.

Her dreams were shattered twice because of them.

But this time...no one would ruin it.

"Sylvia, what are you doing?" Freya's voice came from behind her.

"Nothing much, just sorting out my closet since we're graduating soon." Sylvia replied casually, locking the manuscripts back in her closet.

Turning around, she noticed Freya staring intently at her closet, her thought inscrutable.

Pretending not to see, Sylvia asked, "Did you need something?"

Freya snapped back to reality, saying, "I wanted to invite you to dinner, to apologize for today's incident."

Hearing this, Sylvia glanced down, spotting the toy keychain peeking from Freya's pocket, and nodded instantly, "We're best friends, no need to be formal. How about we go for the mac and cheese at the cafeteria on the third floor? We used to have it there."