Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert) novel Chapter 62

Sylvia quickly took her hand, "Of course, I forgive you. I know you had no choice, I believe in you."

Her face was flushed from the wine, her smile warm and genuine.

Freya nodded vigorously, but internally scoffed. So naive, holding onto those small acts of kindness, served her right to be deceived!

Freya shifted her tone to one of concern, "Sylvia, I heard you're dropping out of the competition? Really, it's okay, we can just get regular jobs, no need to always be so competitive."

"Freya, as my best friend, shouldn't you be encouraging me?"

"I...I just don't want you to overburden yourself, that's all," Freya stammered.

"Okay. Speaking of the competition, I noticed someone tampered with my design. You have my dorm key, right?" Sylvia probed.

Freya began to cry again, a picture of grievance, "You're suspecting me? After all these years of friendship, besides, your roommate has always been against you, and I'm the one who’s always been there for you, protecting you. What if it was them?"

"Don't start throwing accusations, it's already wrong to have a spare key, and now you're speaking ill of them. What if they get angry and report you? You could get a demerit, especially now that we're about to graduate. You wouldn't want that on your record, would you?"

"That's not what I meant." Freya, ever the coward, appeared anxious.

"Then give me back the key, and I'll flush it in front of them. They won't be able to blame you then."

Sylvia extended her hand.

Freya hesitated for quite a while before finally handing over the key, worried about getting a demerit.

Sylvia took the key and then pretended to be drunk, rambling nonsense.

"My design is gone, I have nothing now, I'm done for."

Freya supported her, a smirk on her lips, and then walked her back to the dorm before leaving.

As soon as Freya left, Sylvia sat up in bed and handed the key to the other three to destroy. Then she sat down at her desk to start on her design. She worked until three in the morning before finishing her design.