Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 16

His tactics were never just physical; they were far more terrifying on a psychological level, gradually destroying her hope, tearing her life to shreds, all for Bridget's unassuming, daisy-like smile.

This time, she wouldn't back down! Sylvia clenched her teeth, facing Rupert's gaze head-on.

"Mr. Garcia, where's the evidence?"

Rupert remained silent, but a barely-there smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

Sylvia couldn't decipher his expression.

Until Freya stepped forward, "Sylvia, I'm sorry, I can't watch you go down this path. You can't destroy Mr. Garcia and Bridget's relationship for your own selfish reasons."

She then turned to Rupert with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Mr. Garcia, I've tried to reason with Sylvia, but I couldn't. It was indeed her who spread rumors about Bridget online. You can check her social media accounts; those are the ones used to leak information to the paparazzi.

She's not just after the competition; she's...jealous of you and Bridget being together. She's had a crush on you for a long time, carrying her diary of unrequited love everywhere. If you don't believe me, just check her bag."

As Freya spoke, the first tear slid down her cheek, adding an air of shy vulnerability to her delicate features, her eyes fixated on Rupert.

If Bridget hadn't given her a glance, she might have never taken her eyes off Rupert.

Before Sylvia could argue, the dean snatched her bag and emptied its contents. A pink diary landed in front of everyone.

Bridget feigned shock, "Sylvia, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Sylvia, expressionless, picked up the diary and threw it in front of Bridget.

"Take a closer look!"

Bridget eagerly flipped through the diary, finding no love confessions, only professional notes. She frowned, unconsciously glancing at Freya.

Freya, snatching the diary, flipped through it a couple of times, her expression frozen momentarily.

"How could this be? I was sure I saw..."

"Freya, are you losing it? The one crushing on Mr. Garcia isn't me. How could I possibly fall for him?" Sylvia chuckled, her gaze shifting between Freya and Rupert.

At the sight of this, Bridget's look towards Freya briefly betrayed a hint of malice.

A catfight spectacle was far from better.

Yet, as soon as she laid her trap, Rupert's gaze turned icy, fixated on her.

Was it her imagination, or had Rupert been looking at the diary on the floor the whole time?

What was he seeing? The confessions of her love for him? He wasn't worthy.

Caught by the dean's reproachful glance, Freya quickly tried to cover up, "I don't know when Sylvia switched the diary, but the account can't be switched."

After that, Bridget, picking up the phone from the ground, offered to check.

Freya eagerly provided Sylvia's phone unlock code.

Before checking, Bridget didn't miss a chance to flaunt her magnanimous persona. She said, looking hesitant, "Sylvia, I truly didn't want it to come to this. Just admit your mistake, and we can forget this whole thing." "Afraid to look, Bridget?"

"Then don't blame me."

Bridget, in front of Rupert, unlocked Sylvia's phone and logged into her social media, only to freeze.

Sylvia, while gathering her things, explained, "Unfortunately, my account was hacked yesterday. Luckily, I contacted customer service immediately. The report clearly shows the hack time and login location, which was at our school, but I wasn't there at that time." She glanced at Freya as if by accident, who immediately looked down, playing the victim, her usual tactic.

Sylvia, without exposing her, looked back at Rupert, neither humble nor pert.

"Mr. Garcia, any more interrogation? If not, I have to prepare for the competition and must be going."

Her gaze on Rupert, she emphasized the word "interrogation", and remained emotionally unchanged. Rupert's eyes, however, darkened with an intensity she hadn't seen before.