Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 76

Sylvia had barely stepped into her dorm when she was greeted by her roommates, already off work, with a cake and flowers in hand. "Congratulations! Welcome back!"

"Thank you." Sylvia was touched as she accepted the flowers from her roommates.

"Sylvia, I listened to your online lecture about jewelry, and I don't know why, but it almost made me cry."

"And the way you shut Bridget down was absolutely epic."

"About the online stuff, don't worry. We've posted all your past achievements. Most people aren't fools. They know what being top of your field means, and it's not just hot air! Bridget accidentally liking it must be kicking herself now." Hearing this, Sylvia was surprised and quickly checked her phone.

The comments online were buzzing, with many people starting to see the truth.

[This is the school's verified grades. It's not like Sylvia could've charmed all the professors, including the female ones.]

[Accidental like? I think some people's brains are too slick for their own good, lacking even a single wrinkle to make such a mistake, only die-hard fans would defend such.]

[You're just jealous because Bridget is beautiful and kind-hearted, and has a fiancé like Rupert to protect her.]

[They said it was an accident. If it was on purpose, why would Bridget apologize?]

After reading, Sylvia looked up at her roommates, speechless but grateful.

"Thank you all."

"Enough with the thanks, let's cut the cake. Some people are dying to dig in." The roommate holding a plate and fork teased, "As if you don't want to eat it..."

Another roommate laughed. "Let me tell you something funny. On my way back, overheard Freya's roommate saying that Freya... had a severe case of diarrhea and fell into the toilet, her face covered in it. They couldn't reach her family, so they contacted a teacher, and plenty of students heard about it."

"Can we not talk about that while we're about to eat cake? That's disgusting."

The thought made Sylvia lose her appetite as well, but considering Freya's just desserts, she couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude.

As they prepared to cut the cake, her roommates gathered around Sylvia.

"Sylvia, we're moving out for internships tomorrow. Take care of yourself. I'm still waiting to have a famous designer as a friend. When you make it big in the industry, don't forget about us."

"Of course, I could never forget you

guys." Sylvia looked at the cake, decorated with four little figurines, each with their names beneath them: Innocent Helena, Billie, who nearly got tricked into going back home to get married, gossip queen Julia, and herself, Sylvia - once unaware of her good fortunes.

While enjoying the cake and chatting, Sylvia received a call from Professor White.

"Sylvia, the school has organized a celebration dinner for you and Bridget tomorrow evening. We've invited some industry bigwigs, a rare opportunity. Make the most of it and start networking." "Thank you, Professor."

Professor White always had Sylvia's

best interests at heart. In her past life, giving up on the competition had disappointed Professor White the most. Hearing that she'd given her studies to get married had

prompted Professor White'

to call

her five times a day trying to convince her otherwise.

But back then, Sylvia was too deep in the quagmire to escape.

...

The next evening, Sylvia donned a sleek silver-blue gown, her hair cascading down her shoulders. The dress, though a tad snug - as if it had shrunk after washing - didn't concern her too much as she headed to the restaurant, mindful of the time. Approaching the private dining room, Bridget's voice could already be heard from outside.

"Rupert said he was passing by and decided to drop in. I'm almost embarrassed."