Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 69

Until Eloise said, "Let's continue the competition."

The host quickly changed his tone, "Please take a break, both of you. We'll now invite the next contestant to the stage."

Sylvia stepped down with a smile, while Bridget hurried after her.

"Did you already know?"

"Ms. Simpson, what are you saying? Why couldn't I understand? That is your design, isn't it? How could I possibly know anything about it?" Sylvia feigned confusion in her reply. Bridget glanced around, lowering her voice, "Why did the necklace break?"

Sylvia smiled thinly, "Didn't you study the blueprints I based my design on? Couldn't even copy it right?"

With that, she turned and walked away.

After a few steps, she paused, looked back at Bridget, and reminded, "When Rupert handed you those blueprints, didn't he warn you not to overdo it? That ring was truly hideous." "Sylvia!"

Bridget was livid, nearly shattering her composed image.

Sylvia knew the necklace would break the moment she saw Bridget present it with real stones on stage. That was why she had enticed Eloise to wear her own creation.

would be utterly different. The thin chain couldn't possibly bear the weight of so many real stones. Indeed, a simple weighing during its making would have revealed the flaw. But clearly, Bridget had been

the waiting room, Sylvia saw the staff member who had mishandled her sample. She wanted to approach

she saw the staff member

Sylvia to have prepared a

task, how am I supposed

doesn't win, you

as

bother

cold from the bricks seeping into her spine, sending shivers down her

ground herself. Rupert, ever cruel for Bridget's sake, made it clear - Sylvia was always the one to be sacrificed, no matter her efforts to avoid it. Sylvia bit her lip and returned to the waiting room, sitting

over

end,

the judges, and a few words

was

brief speech, she opened the

of this competition is...

"Second place, Sylvia."

"Third place, Christine."

"Thank you, everyone. I'm so glad to have met you all." With that, she cast a triumphant