Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)
Chapter 37

Sylvia's composure took everyone by surprise.

This once timid and overlooked member of the Garcia family no longer spoke with her head bowed low. She stood on stage, claiming her space, her gaze clear and unwavering. It swept over Rupert's indifferent and dangerous face without a hint of retreat. As the situation took a sharp turn, all eyes were on Vincent and Bridget.

Vincent, feeling uncertain, instinctively looked towards Bridget for guidance. Bridget frowned slightly and shot him a look.

Vincent spoke up, his voice loud and defensive, "Ms. Lloyd, just because I asked you a few questions, doesn't mean you can slander Ms. Simpson and me, right?"

Eyes reddened, Bridget said, "Sylvia, I know you're upset that the school fought for a spot for me in the competition. I just wanted an apology. I've already talked to the police about settling this matter. If you insist on making a scene, then I'll step down. Please, let's not cause any more trouble for the Garcia family and Rupert."

Retreating to advance was Bridget's most common tactic, her pretty, gentle face often invoking a protective instinct in others.

People around nodded approvingly towards Bridget, who then leaned slightly towards Rupert, her voice filled with feigned distress, "Rupert, please don't mind this. I think Sylvia is just too eager to surpass me."

Hearing this, Rupert looked at Sylvia with an expressionless face.

Sylvia, used to his indifference, simply stared back blandly, stepping forward and asking, "So, Vincent, you and Ms. Simpson don't know each other at all, haven't even met?"

Vincent confidently replied, "Of course. If I had met someone as beautiful and elegant as Ms. Simpson, I would never forget."

Bridget pretended to ponder for a moment before carefully saying, "We have never met, we are complete strangers."

Just as her words fell, Naomi, who was usually timid, burst forth in defense of Sylvia.

"Nonsense! You two have been conspiring in secret. All those online reports accusing my daughter of slandering Bridget were your doing."

Bridget gasped, and then choked up, "Mrs. Naomi Garcia, even if you want to save your daughter, you can't just make baseless accusations. How will you face everyone in the Garcias after this?"

Naomi glared at Bridget, her disdain clear, not expecting the latter would make sarcastic remarks on her holding no place in the Garcia family. She didn't waste words, pulling out a flash drive from her bag.

"Bridget, you say you don't know this reporter, huh? Then how come the two of you spent an hour in the VIP room of a luxury boutique? Every time this reporter appears, negative reports about you flood the internet within a day. Oh, and those accounts that were harassing you? I reported every single one, and they admitted they were paid by this reporter. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"

"W-What?"

Bridget froze, her face pale visibly. She reached for the flash drive in Naomi's hand, but Sylvia was quicker.

Without giving anyone time to react, Sylvia played the surveillance footage on the screen. It clearly showed the two entering the luxury boutique's VIP area, chatting and laughing as if they had accomplished some goal before parting ways with smiles. Sylvia looked at Vincent mockingly, "Vincent, this is where you went wrong. Are you saying you don't recognize Ms. Simpson because she's not beautiful or elegant enough for you?"

Vincent's body stiffened, and glib as he was, he stuttered, unable to come up with a rebuttal.

The footage was too clear, and since Sylvia didn't play the audio, it implied she was holding back - a warning that if he continued to lie, when the sound wasn't muted, he'd be cast out of the industry. Bridget, understanding this as well, knew the audio was like a sword hanging over her head, preventing her from making any rash moves.