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.

the necklace's drape 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 blinded by her arrogance for far too long, her mind clouded by the

the staff member who had mishandled her sample.

about to, she saw the staff member speaking with the head of the event

expect Sylvia to

simple task, how am I

win, you miel.

as

not bother showing

against the wall, the cold from the bricks seeping into her spine, sending

hatred surged within, yet it found no outlet, forcing her to dig her fingernails into the wall, using the pain to 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

echoed over

the end, after much

among the judges, and a few words from the

was

opened the envelope

of this competition

"Second place, Sylvia."

"Third place, Christine."

the room, and many stepped forward to congratulate Bridget. Bridget smiled modestly, "Thank you, everyone. I'm so glad to have met you all." With that, she cast a triumphant glance at Sylvia, and then strode out with