Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 7

Under Rupert's icy stare, Sylvia pressed her lips together, trying to keep her cool.

But the pain of the past eight years was too much, and despite her efforts, her fingers trembled, and she turned her face away forcefully.

Rupert looked away, his voice laced with disdain, "Thinking of getting pregnant behind my back?"

Sylvia frowned deeply, her gaze inadvertently catching Naomi.

The pills were bought by Naomi. Could it be she still harbored hopes of Sylvia marrying Rupert?

But under Rupert's cold glare, Naomi was shaking like a leaf.

Compared to Tristan, Naomi was more terrified of Rupert. She wouldn't dare pull any stunts under Rupert's watchful eyes.

What in the world was going on?

Sylvia lifted her eyes, surrounded by gazes from all around. Among these, one gaze was particularly striking. Bridget.

Her lips curved in a semi-smile, reminding Sylvia of unpleasant past events.

Sure enough, the next moment, Bridget turned away from the crowd, gripping Sylvia's hand, and said in earnest, "Sylvia, I'm sorry, I can't help you deceive Mr. Rupert and Mr. Tristan, so I had to come clean.

I didn't expect you to use me to quell the rumors, and then secretly take fertility treatments. If I hadn't gone to comfort you and overheard your plan, wouldn't you have succeeded? If you really got pregnant, what would happen to me and Mr. Rupert?" After speaking, Bridget's tears fell like rain, her voice choked with grievance.

The crowd was outraged, taking Bridget's side.

"What else could she be plotting, isn't that obvious? Clearly, she wants to replace Bridget! If she did get pregnant, with the child as her leverage, Rupert would have no choice but to marry her. Then, our family's reputation would be ruined!"

Someone said in anger, "I've never seen such despicable tactics in my life. It's a good thing Bridget was considerate and didn't fall into her trap, otherwise a loving couple would have been torn apart."

"Rupert, Sylvia can't stay. Who knows what other trouble she'll stir up in the future!"

Their words were like daggers, piercing Sylvia's heart. Just like in her past life, everyone protected Bridget, making Sylvia out to be worthless.

She had heard it so often that she was used to it.

Sylvia looked up, her eyes meeting Bridget's, who, despite her fragile appearance, had a calculating glint in her eyes.

She was momentarily stunned, watching Bridget wipe her tears, and while doing so, she turned and flashed Sylvia a smirk. It was a mixture of provocation and mockery.

The pills were switched by her!

Then, Bridget softly spoke, her voice as gentle as ever, even pleading.

"Rupert, please spare Sylvia. She didn't mean it! Let's say it was all my doing. If it helps the Garcia family and you recover from this loss, I'm willing to do anything, even at the cost of my reputation."

Had Sylvia not seen Bridget's triumphant expression, just hearing her voice would make anyone believe she was genuinely kind and considerate.

At that moment, Sylvia realized she had underestimated Bridget.

In this second chance at life, though she had altered the course of events, she didn't have a magical advantage, nor could she change the intelligence of her opponent. Bridget relished in Sylvia's discomfort. She wasn't foolish enough to admit the woman in the photo was her, especially not when the stakes were this high.

Rupert, a cold-blooded businessman, and he had probably weighed the pros and cons with Tristan last night. Did they not know who the woman in the photo was?

If Bridget admitted it, Rupert would definitely see her as manipulative, and Tristan would despise her for her ulterior motives.

But her current stance of righteousness not only earned Rupert's trust but even Tristan's admiration.

The most crucial point was...no one believed Sylvia anymore. Even if Rupert had slept with her, what of it? She was nothing but a lowly schemer! Indeed, Sylvia was nervous, but she was no longer the Sylvia of the past.

Understanding Bridget's intentions, she instead found calm. Even Bridget paused for a moment, staring intently at her, as if looking for a flaw.

But Sylvia didn't bother with Bridget, instead walking past her and straight to the head of the table.

Rupert met her gaze, his eyes cold and mocking. He casually played with his ring, his lethargy masking a dangerous aura, as if Sylvia was merely a toy in his hands.