Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 17

Sylvia left the office without a backward glance.

After the debacle with the Garcias, she knew she needed to keep her guard up around Bridget. When she overheard Bridget on the phone to Rupert, crying about being slandered, Sylvia knew that Bridget and Freya were up to something. Freya knew too much about her, including her diary.

After her one night of flirtation with Rupert, a diary entry accusing her of drugging him to share his bed surfaced online - undoubtedly Freya's doing.

So, she had secretly switched her diary.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, a shadow approached from behind - it was Freya.

Throughout their walk, Freya seemed hesitant, observing Sylvia, who, in contrast, appeared utterly unfazed by the betrayal.

Just before they reached the dorm, Freya couldn't contain herself any longer. She grabbed Sylvia, her voice trembling, "Sylvia, I'm sorry. You know my family's struggling, and I'm not brave. I can't afford to cross someone like Bridget. They scared me into submission." Sylvia didn't rush to cut ties with Freya - after all, she hadn't yet seen Freya and Bridget turn on each other.

She sighed, feigning heartbreak, "Freya, I thought of you as a friend. How could you do this to me?"

was all Bridget, she made me say that. She threatened my graduation. My family has sacrificed so much for my education. If I don't

Sylvia's hands, tears streaming down her

playing along, wiped away her tears, "Freya, of course, I believe you.

tearful, looked puzzled, "Careful

Don't harbor any unrealistic fantasies. The way you looked at Mr. Garcia earlier was quite telling." "Sylvia, don't be ridiculous." Caught in

reaction was

not to notice, ushered Freya into the dorm. Unbeknownst to her, someone from the

glance

have to go, got something to

"Okay."

knowing Bridget was

room, she found her roommates

Sylvia downed a large glass of water, thoughts of Rupert's sinister gaze chilling her to the bone. The

she couldn't leave any