Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 25

When Sylvia woke up, a uniformed female officer was sitting by her bed, her gentle smile offering a sense of security that was almost tangible. "You're awake? Need some water?" The officer stood up, pouring a glass of water with a considerate gesture, "You've got some bruises, but nothing serious."

"Thank

you."

Sylvia propped herself up to take the glass. Until now she was still trembling from the shock, her nerves not yet calmed.

The officer watched her, waiting until Sylvia seemed a bit more settled before she began to speak, "Julian's fine, too, but since there's a discrepancy in your stories, I need to hear your side."

Sylvia paused mid-sip, "Discrepancy? What do you mean?"

The fact was laid bare; how come there was a discrepancy?

The officer explained honestly, "Julian claims he was drunk and that's why he got aggressive. He even showed us a psychiatric evaluation from abroad, insisting...that you were willing to go out with him for dinner and a movie, so he thought you were consenting to more." Sylvia felt her breath hitch, her chest tightening with anger.

"Just because of dinnering and seeing a movie means I consented to everything else? Where's that rule written? I said no to him!"

"Ms. Lloyd, Julian mentioned your mom seemed on board with this too."

The officer gazed at her helplessly.

Sylvia was choked on it, unable to utter a reply. After a brief silence, the officer reassured her, "Your statement is crucial. We'll investigate thoroughly."

Relieved at her words, thinking at least there was someone willing to offer help, Sylvia recounted everything, emphasizing Julian's modified car, a clear sign this wasn't his first time doing something like this.

"Anything else you'd like to add?" the officer asked after taking notes.

Sylvia mused for a while, and then mentioned, "Rupert and Bridget, they saw t too."

The officer was caught off guard, her expression changing evidently.

"Is there a problem?" Sylvia pressed.

Closing her notebook, the officer frowned, "I've asked them. Bridget claims she saw nothing, and Mr. Rupert Garcia...also denied witnessing the incident."

As her voice trailed off, the glass of water slipped from Sylvia's grasp, soaking the blanket.

Head drooping, she remained silent. Clasping the blanket, she felt distressed.

What was she expecting?

Bridget was ever more pleased to witness her downfall, while Rupert wouldn't stop teaching her a lesson for not obeying him. Both of them had achieved what they expected; what a perfect match. The officer patted her shoulder, "Rest up. I'll head back to the station and follow up. We'll be in touch."

As the door closed, the room fell into a dead silence.

Staring at the wall opposite, Sylvia felt utterly drained, her face pale. Realizing how weak she was, she wondered how she could possibly turn things around.

After what felt like an eternity, a commotion came from outside.

Sylvia weakly made her way to the door, hearing Tristan's authoritative voice before she even opened it.

"Useless fool! I only asked you to do this one project, and this is how you handled?"

Through the glass, she saw Tristan furiously confronting Edwin and Naomi.

Naomi was visibly shaken, stammering, "Tristan, I...I had no idea Julian would do something like this. It was self-defense for Sylvia."

"Enough! Playing the saint now? You knew exactly what she's done. Eagerly using your daughter as a way to contribute the cooperation, what did you expect from a man? And if she was really innocent, why agree to dinner and a movie in the first place?" Standing with his hands behind his back, Tristan glared at Naomi furiously.

Naomi shrank back, tears in her eyes, not daring to talk, while Edwin tried to defend her, "Dad, Naomi just thought the Zooks were a good match, attempting to introduce Julian to Sylvia. She didn't know any of these."