Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Upon hearing this, Zavier's expression softened a bit.

"Why hasn't Fanny made a move yet?"

"Don't worry, I've got a way to make her come to me," Bridget assured him confidently.

Zavier gave her a long look, letting out a small sigh. "Bridget, don't hold it against your old man for being tough on you. In the end, the Simpson family's legacy will be yours. Marrying Mr. Rupert with all this behind you will certainly give you some standing, won't it?"

Bridget knew exactly what this meant a slap followed by a sweetener. But if she wanted to marry Rupert with style, a strong financial background was essential.

"I understand."

"Let your mom help you fix yourself up, and head to work this afternoon. Don't let people think you're hiding out of shame," Zavier ordered.

"Alright."

Bridget nodded, not daring to go against her father.

After Zavier left, Miriam brought her some high-coverage foundation and applied a flawless makeup look.

With a small sigh, Miriam reminded her, "Bridget, the family's lost quite a bit this time. You better hold on tight to Mr. Rupert, don't let anyone else swoop in."

"I know! Stop nagging!"

Bridget's face was cold. If it weren't for Sylvia, she wouldn't be in this mess.noveldrama

Once her makeup was done, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number without a name saved.

"Can you arrange a meeting with Fanny for me?"

"Sure thing, babe."

That afternoon, Bridget strolled into the office, even treating everyone to some afternoon tea. But after everything that had happened, her colleagues were noticeably less warm than before.

Still, as Rupert's fiancée, they had to be polite on the surface.

When Bridget turned to greet Sylvia, her smile froze, her eyes fixed on the scarf around Sylvia's neck.

Sylvia ignored her, continuing with her work.

The afternoon passed peacefully enough.

After work, Sylvia planned to catch a cab to buy a gift.

While waiting, Bridget approached her.

"Doesn't someone else's stuff always look better?" she said with a smirk.

"Shouldn't you know the answer to that better than I do?" Sylvia shot back sarcastically.

Bridget wasn't fazed. Instead, she reached out and touched Sylvia's scarf, sneering, "Keep wearing it." Consider it a little something from Mr. Rupert to soothe your nerves."

Sylvia paused, her gaze sharpening. "What do you mean by that?"

With feigned surprise, Bridget covered her mouth, "Oh, you didn't know? The Rockfield family signed the contract with Mr. Rupert this afternoon. Thanks to your little scene at the celebration, Mr. Rupert just had to lift a finger to reclaim everything, leaving the Carmen family in chaos."

Sylvia's face turned pale, and the scarf around her neck felt more like a noose tightening with every breath.

Seeing her reaction, Bridget let out a mocking laugh.

"You didn't actually think the scarf was for warmth, did you? Without it, how would you have managed to get through the lobby unchallenged to expose Hilbert? And those videos of the women talking-aren't they pinned on you now? What a fool! Hahaha..."

"And as for me? I'm just fine."

Bridget pointed a manicured finger at herself, laughing as she walked away.

Standing stiffly in the cold wind, Sylvia felt like she was drowning, even as she gasped for air.

As her heart struggled, she remembered what Warren had said to her.

"Do you really think he cares about you? You betrayed him, and he's just getting his revenge."

Rupert had accomplished just that.

He had been using her all along...