Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 34

"Ms. Lloyd, as a lawyer, I've got to tell you straight - this is the best outcome you could hope for."

Peter's words floated through the air with a lightness that seemed to assume Sylvia, a woman seemingly without a stronghold in the world, had no choice but to accept her fate. Sylvia closed her speech notes and looked up at Peter, her silence speaking volumes. Under her clear gaze, Peter suddenly felt an unexpected unease.

"Ms. Lloyd, what are you looking at?"

"Peter, I recall you were once on the run for providing free legal defense to the underprivileged. That's how the Garcias came to respect you, right?" Sylvia spoke leisurely. Peter's eyes flickered. Only Rupert and Tristan were privy to that chapter of his life; how did she know?

Yet, as a seasoned lawyer accustomed to high stakes, he quickly regained his composure.

"And your point?"

"When you're advising me to do these things, do you truly feel at peace with yourself? Let's set aside the dubious nature of Bridget's case for a moment. As a lawyer, I refuse to believe you haven't reviewed Julian's file. Am I an exception? When you stand there, all righteous, urging me to accept guilt, have you considered the precedent it sets? That no future victim might be believed again? Are you betraying your past self?"

Sylvia's voice was gentle, her laughter almost audible in its lightness.

Peter paled, struggling to find words, "Ms. Lloyd, you don't have to make this difficult for me."

He had, after all, decided to yield to power.

Sylvia stood up, "Fine, I'll agree. But before that, I need to ensure my mother's safety."

Perhaps Sylvia's words had reached him; Peter nodded and handed her his phone.

After a few rings, Naomi answered.

"Mom, is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine. Don't worry about me," Naomi's voice was hoarse, probably from crying.

She must have seen the news and learned about the press conference.

Sylvia reassured her, "Mom, I'm fine too. Please believe in me, okay?"

Naomi took a deep breath, "Okay."

After hanging up, Sylvia returned the phone to Peter. She picked up her speech notes, glanced at them for a few seconds, and asked calmly, "Who gave you these for me?"

Peter considered for a moment before answering truthfully, "Mr. Rupert Garcia. Once this is all over, he will..."

Sylvia's slender fingers brushed the paper, cutting him off, "What he will do is of no concern to me."

Peter looked at the pale-faced woman before him, her eyes as profound as a still night, unfathomable. He couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence.

She was right. After the press conference, their objectives would be achieved.

Sylvia tied her hair into a ponytail as she looked into the glass, then turned and walked out of the room.

Outside, the female officer gave her a meaningful look. Understanding the gesture, Sylvia followed Peter to the press conference.

...

At the press conference.

As Sylvia entered, a rotten egg hit her forehead. She turned to see it was thrown by one of Bridget's fans.

Before she could react, Bridget, with a face full of terror, stepped in front of her fan, pleading, "Sylvia, please don't be mad. They're just worried about me; it wasn't on purpose. Take your anger out on me, not my fans, please."

Her voice was laced with tears, pitifully melodious. To the uninformed, it might seem as though Sylvia had the power to devastate lives.

Sylvia moved slightly, revealing an arm that was interjecting in front of Bridget. Following it upwards, she found Rupert.

Talking about a picture of loyalty.

Sylvia gazed at Rupert, her eyes reminiscent of autumn leaves - solitary and tinged with a chill. Silently wiping the egg from her face, she shook the speech notes at Rupert. "Thanks for the thoughtful gesture, Uncle."