Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 27

The efficiency of the police was astonishingly high. No sooner had Sylvia agreed to a settlement than they had the documents ready for her to sign. One of the officers, who was the woman taking Sylvia's statement earlier, offered a gentle word of caution, "Are you sure you've thought this through?"

Holding the pen, her hand trembling slightly, Sylvia managed a bitter smile, "Yes, I've made up my mind. Let's just get this over with."

After all, she felt like nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game at this point. Without allowing herself a moment of doubt, Sylvia quickly signed her name. The female officer sighed, took the settlement documents, and left.

Almost immediately after, Naomi walked into the hospital room carrying a basket of comfort food.

Their eyes met, and Naomi's eyes were rimmed red with guilt.

"Sylvia..."

"I know all about it. Is Edwin okay?" Sylvia inquired.

Wiping away tears and serving up some soup, Naomi sighed, "He's fine, just got a bit of an earful. You know how Tristan can be. It's all that Julian's fault, the scoundrel! Dressed up like a gentleman, but nothing of the sort." Exhausted, Sylvia confessed, "Mom, I don't want to get married."

Naomi, wary of pressing the issue further, quickly uttered, "I understand. Anyway, the media storm has moved on to Bridget, doesn't affect us anymore. If you don't want to get married, then don't. I was just worried about what they might think, that you're holding out for someone you shouldn't."

With that, she handed Sylvia the bowl of soup. Sylvia, lacking any appetite, pondered Naomi's words.

"Mom, what's the deal with the media?"

"Finally, some sensible folks on the internet. They're saying Bridget staged the whole drama to trap a husband. Now everyone's calling her out for being shameless. She and Rupert, you know how many people envied them? Now that she's caught in a scandal, they're all piling on. I always said she was a bit of a drama queen."

Naomi clucked her tongue in disapproval. Sylvia felt uneasy about the situation and quickly asked her phone back to check the online news.

Indeed, there were plenty of comments criticizing Bridget for not restraining herself and being desperate to marry. Everything had changed on short notice.

Naomi took the phone away, urging, "Eat up, why do you worry about her?"

Sylvia, frowning, said, "Rupert loves Bridget that much. How can I not worry?"

"What...do you mean by that?" Naomi asked, puzzled.

"Mom, you still meet up with your old colleagues, right? Could you ask around about Bridget for me?"

Naomi was able to meet Edwin, mostly because she once worked for a luxury store. Those people seemed unimportant, and yet mingled with celebrities and elites, making her privy to juicy gossip. Naomi nodded, "Alright."

Just then, a nurse walked in with an IV bag.

"Mrs. Naomi Garcia, Ms. Lloyd."

"Hi," Naomi responded..

As the nurse set up the IV for Sylvia, she joked, "A colleague just saw Rupert in the parking lot."

Naomi couldn't help but ask, "Rupert's still here?"

With a smile, the nurse adjusted the drip rate and said, "He and Ms. Simpson looked quite cozy together. They make a charming couple."

Naomi glanced at Sylvia, who was quietly eating her soup without showing any emotion, and replied awkwardly.

Once the IV was done, Sylvia decided to head back to school, as she still had design works to complete. Naomi tried to persuade her otherwise but ultimately drove her back to campus. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

Sylvia closed the car door and walked towards the school, only to be startled by the sound of a car horn behind her.

Turning around, she saw Rupert's car. She didn't want to deal with him, but Orson, as if anticipating her reaction, was already waiting at the school gate.

Seeing through her defiance, Orson still tried to offer advice, "Ms. Lloyd, you know how Mr. Garcia can be."

With a self-mocking laugh, Sylvia attempted to walk away, pushing past his outstretched hand.

Orson hesitated, wanting to say more. But before he could, a familiar figure stepped forward and grabbed Sylvia's wrist.

The familiar presence sent a shiver down her spine, mixing fear with loathing. She turned around to face Rupert's displeased gaze.