Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 22

Before Sylvia could even protest, Naomi had already hopped in her car and sped off.

With a quiet sigh, Sylvia turned to face Julian and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I think it's best to be clear about this. I wasn't really keen on this blind date thing." Julian offered a smile, "Same here. But given the mission Mrs. Naomi assigned us, how about we catch a movie? It's the least we can do to appease our folks." Hearing Julian's suggestion, Sylvia didn't hesitate to agree.

As Julian was booking the tickets on his phone, he casually asked, "Ms. Lloyd, where do you stay? I'll see if there's a cinema close by, make it easier for you to get back later."

Seeing Julian's gentlemanly and considerate demeanor, Sylvia replied truthfully, "I'm currently staying on campus. As long as I can get back by ten, it's fine."

"All set then," Julian confirmed smoothly.

Sylvia, not wanting to take advantage, offered, "How much? I'll pay you back."

Julian looked at her, "Are you really going to do me like that?"

Sylvia offered a compromise, "Then let me buy you a drink."

It wasn't until they were about to enter the cinema that Julian realized he had booked the wrong time slot. 7:20 pm had mistakenly become 8:20 pm. With the movie running over an hour, making it back to campus in time would be a tight squeeze.

Sylvia was about to find an excuse to skip the movie when Julian spoke up first.

"The cinema's not far from your campus. After the movie, I'll drive you back. We'll make it in time. Otherwise, our folks will start asking questions again."

Thinking of Naomi's constant nagging about settling down, Sylvia helplessly nodded. She had a competition to focus on and didn't want to endure Naomi's lectures on finding a man to "lean on."

They then entered the cinema. Throughout the movie, Sylvia hardly paid attention, frequently checking the time, worried she'd miss her curfew back at campus.

As soon as the movie ended, Sylvia urged Julian to leave quickly.

On the way back to campus, unsure of if it was her illusion, Sylvia felt that Julian seemed to catch every red light.

Watching as the time passed by, she got anxious.

Julian, however, still worn a smile, "No rush."

They made it with just two minutes to spare.

Julian parked his car outside the campus, and as Sylvia was about to open the door, she heard a click - the doors had been locked again.

Pulling at the handle forcefully, she found it wouldn't budge. Turning, she met Julian's gaze, his smile still tender, yet his eyes devoid of any warmth. He licked his lips, his eyes harboring a predatory gleam. Without wasting a second, Sylvia reached for her phone. She warned, "Unlock the car, or I'm calling the police right now!"

Julian just smirked coldly, seemingly unbothered, and lightly tapped the car's screen.

"Check your phone again."

Sylvia glanced at her phone to find it had turned into a useless brick - no signal.

A signal jammer. That way, the car had become an impenetrable cage.

Realizing Julian's calm demeanor meant this wasn't his first time, Sylvia didn't hesitate to start pounding on the window. "Help! Somebody help!"

With so many cars in the parking lot, surely someone would come to her aid.

Just then, the lights of a nearby luxury car lit up, its sleek form glinting under the moonlight, as imposing as its owner. Rupert!

Seeing Rupert inside the car felt like spotting a lifeline.

She shouted, "Rupert! Rupert!"

But in the next moment, a pair of slender arms wrapped around Rupert, pulling him towards the door. It was Bridget. She attempted to land an affectionate kiss on Rupert. Oblivious to Sylvia's cries for help, he drove the car off into the night.

Sylvia's breath hitched, and just as she was about to scream for help again, Julian's hand covered her mouth from behind. She let out muffled cries.

Unable to breath smoothly, she could only watch Rupert's car disappear gracefully.