Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 248

A loud slap echoed through the room, sending Bridget sprawling to the floor.

Bridget hurt all over but didn't dare utter a word.

Miriam, feeling protective of her daughter, quickly shielded her. "What good is hitting her now? The main thing is to make sure the Garcias don’t suspect anything!"

Zavier's chest heaved with anger, his finger pointing accusingly at Bridget. "Who is it? Who's the guy you've been sneaking around with?"

Bridget, feeling guilty, couldn't bring herself to confess. "Dad, don't worry. No one would ever guess who it is, not even Mr. Rupert. I’ve ended it with him. It was just that one time, after I had too much to drink with Fanny..."

Zavier's expression softened slightly at the mention of Fanny.

Tristan still needed Bridget to smooth things over with Fanny, so for now, Bridget was safe.

He grumbled, "You need to find a way to get Mr. Rupert to agree to invest in the Simpson Group."

Bridget nodded just as her phone buzzed.

She picked it up to find two video clips from Freya.

One clip showed Sylvia trying to get information out of Chris.

The watch!

The little color that had returned to Bridget's face drained away again.

So Sylvia had been tailing her!

She clicked on the next video, which showed Rupert and Sylvia running into members of the Carmen family at a restaurant.

Miriam took note. "Hilbert looks as shameless as ever."

Bridget watched the man in the video, a strange smile forming on her pale face.

"The more shameless, the better. Don't forget Mr. Carmen holds the key to the Rockfield family deal."

Sylvia knew too much. She had to be dealt with.

...

The next morning.

Sylvia woke to find Rupert already gone, which didn’t surprise her.

He was always an enigmatic figure.

Her foot was healing well, though, as Chris had warned, walking was still a bit awkward.

As she brushed her teeth, Sylvia caught sight of herself in the mirror and instantly sobered up.

Foam in her mouth, she glanced at her wrist.

She was wearing a woman's watch.

It was nearly identical to Rupert’s, save for its size.

How much did this even cost?

"Sylvia, we meet again."

He extended his hand toward her.

Sylvia hesitated, until Eloise prompted her.

"Sylvia, are you overwhelmed? Since you know each other, why not say hello?"

Sylvia pulled herself together. This was the workplace, and she was just an intern.

She couldn’t afford to offend anyone.

"Hello, Mr. Carmen."

She offered a polite smile, intending just a brief handshake.

But as soon as she extended her hand, Hilbert clasped it tightly, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.

Sylvia instantly pulled her hand away, startled.

Hilbert didn’t seem fazed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Sylvia, calling me Mr. Carmen feels too formal."

"That's appropriate," Sylvia replied, keeping her composure.

Perhaps sensing Sylvia's discomfort, Eloise changed the subject with a smile. "Mr. Carmen, what kind of jewelry are you interested in having designed?"