Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 138

Bridget was certain Rupert would be disgusted by Sylvia's casual antics.

Yet, he remained unflustered, his long fingers pressed against his temple as he casually flipped through the documents on his lap, his expression indifferent. "Did you invite me here just for the show?"

His voice, deep and slightly icy, carried an air of authority, as if he were addressing a subordinate who had fallen short of expectations rather than his fiancée.

Bridget clenched her fists, nearly biting through her inner lip, yet she didn't dare to retort. Through the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of Sylvia in the back seat, her eyes widening in shock.

But as Rupert began to look up, Bridget quickly reached out to hold him.

"Rupert, I wanted to talk to you about Bailey from Camellia Manor."

"I know you've been in talks with her about a collaboration. Our studio has also reached out, and if you could introduce me, I'm confident I could create a design that would impress her. That might help smooth things over for your deal as well.

Bailey is notoriously hard to please. Even Eloise had to make three trips and still faced challenges. But I'm not afraid. I've made some mistakes recently that upset you, and I want to make things right. Rupert, please, trust me." Bridget looked earnestly at Rupert, her hand slowly creeping over his, gently caressing it.

Rupert subtly withdrew his hand, closed the documents with an unreadable expression, and gave a noncommittal "Hmm."

Getting his affirmation, Bridget maintained a gentle smile, masking the bubbling excitement rising within her.

With Rupert's support, how could Bailey possibly dismiss her designs? Then Sylvia wouldn't stand a chance at the studio!

With that thought, Bridget's lips curved into a smile as she sneakily sent a text message.

The car started moving.

Rupert lit a cigarette, his hand venturing out the half-open window as the smoke dissipated into the wind.

Through the haze, he caught a glimpse of Sylvia's male colleague's car pulling away. The back window revealed a woman with long hair being playfully pulled into a man's embrace. Quite the catch?

Not bad.

Bridget, noticing this, deliberately

commented, That colleague seems quite fond of Sylvia. Eloise speaks highly of him, too. It seems Sylvia isn't indifferent to him either. They look quite well-matched, don't you think, Rupert?"

Rupert narrowed his eyes at her. The brief flicker of the flame illuminated his face as he took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke that blurred his stern, menacing features.

He didn't say anything, but it was enough to instill fear in Bridget. She dared not meet his gaze, quickly lowering her head as her hands nervously twisted the hem of her dress.

Resentment toward Sylvia simmered within her. Deep down, she felt that things shouldn't have turned out this way. Why had everything changed overnight?

...

Ten minutes earlier.

Sylvia pretended to get into the car, seizing the moment of distraction to push Freya into her male colleague's car instead.

Then, she bolted, throwing over her shoulder, "Freya, don't say I never do anything for you. Have fun, everyone."

As Sylvia ran off, the male colleague looked annoyed, and someone even thought about chasing after her.

Suddenly, Christine appeared out of nowhere, pulling Sylvia into a taxi.

With no chance of catching Sylvia, the colleagues turned their gaze on Freya.

Freya looked back at them, on the verge of tears. Her pitiful look instantly ignited the protective instinct in her male colleagues.

"Since we can't have Sylvia, let's just have dinner with you."

"Come on, I've made other plans. We'll eat and then go."

They got into the car, completely

ignoring Freya's increasingly pale face. She had intended to make Sylvia seem flippant in front of Rupert for Bridget, but it ended up backfiring.

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The way these men spoke, as if dining with her was a last resort. Just moments ago, they had been ogling Sylvia, practically drooling over her. Almost simultaneously, Freya received a text from Bridget.

[Get closer. Rupert is watching.]

Freya subtly lifted her gaze to the luxury car ahead, barely making out the man's deep silhouette.