Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 21

Feeling the weight of someone's gaze, Sylvia turned her head.

It was Rupert.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, his long fingers resting against his temple, the ruby ring on his finger catching the sunlight with a hint of a chilling thirst. Bridget was leaning close by his side. It appeared Bridget was whispering something, their proximity and Rupert's soft expression spoke volumes. Sylvia averted her gaze, feigning calm as she lowered her hand.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." The man followed her gaze, "That's Mr. Rupert Garcia, isn't it? He really adores his fiancée, to personally drop her off." Indeed. It was apparent to everyone Rupert's preference for Bridget. Except, in her past life, she was like a fool, waiting for him, loving him.

Just as Sylvia was about to nod, Naomi tugged at her sleeve.

"Since we're here, you should go say hello to Rupert."

"I'd rather not." Sylvia shrugged off the hand, making to leave. "You..."

Naomi's reproach was cut short by Bridget's sudden exclamation.

"Naomi, Sylvia, what a coincidence. And this gentleman is?"

with Rupert, sized up

had always thought of Bridget as a schemer, and after the ordeal with

man, boasting slightly, "This is Julian Zook, from the Zook family. A real catch, we're

with meaning. Sylvia didn't have a chance to intervene before she felt the gaze across the table darkened. Julian stepped

over him, lingering instead on Sylvia, a hint

passed over Julian with an ambiguous tone, "A

shiver down her spine, her palms sweating. What was meant to be a casual remark felt like a looming

flickered with disdain upon surveying Julian. In Rupert's presence, Julian was insignificant, a

Bridget didn't reveal her scorn, wearing a soft smile instead, "Mr. Zook is such a catch, Sylvia. You should hold on tight. A quiet, simple life is the real

about to retort when Sylvia pulled at her. Engaging in an argument would

his expression nonchalant. He knew better than anyone who she had made

silence was akin to

Naomi along, "Mom, Mr. Zook,

politely bid farewell, and then opened the car

a message

securing an

"I understand."

actually surprising. Yet, she felt breathless and powerless, as if struggling within a vortex, unable to grasp at any

an upper hand. Yet, she was still overwhelmingly suppressed.

...