In the cozy, dimly-lit pub, the tension in the air was palpable as Hilbert made his entrance, his demeanor aggressive and unyielding. Sylvia felt the pressure mounting, knowing she might be forced topromise once more.
The n was simple: offer herself up, catch her in the act, and broadcast it live. The me would inevitably shift to Sylvia, and Hilbert would have had his fun and could quietly slip away.
As for the woman caught in the crossfire... her fate was all too predictable.
So, Freya, would you still y the loyalpdog?
When Freya noticed the live stream recording her, she snapped, her eyes zing with rage as she lunged at the paparazzo.
"It wasn''t me! It wasn''t me! It was Bri-"
Her words were cut short as the stream was abruptly halted for viting rules.
Sylvia, furrowing her brows, nced up just in time to see Rupert casually tap his phone screen.
Understanding dawned on her instantly.
"Uncle Rupert! It was you!"
Rupert simply nodded, setting down his mug of coffee with a calm demeanor.
Sylvia stood frozen, struggling to regain her grip on reality.
So close!
If Freya had just managed to utter Bridget''s name in public, even without evidence, the whirlwind of gossip alone would have been enough to ruin her.
The wind picked up, stinging Sylvia''s eyes and leaving her feeling blurred and lost. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the color drain from her face.
When she spoke again, her voice was tinged with bitterness: "So, Uncle Rupert, you knew Bridget and Freya were plotting against me, that they were in cahoots with Hilbert to force me into apromising position. If I hadn''t been prepared today, it would have been me on that live stream!"
"Do you know how many viewers were online? Over two million! Do you understand the humiliation I''d face? It''s not unlike being paraded naked through the streets."
"I''ve ignored all the vilements in the chat, just waiting for this moment!"
"Why is it so hard to just get a fair shot at justice?"
Sylvia''s voice cracked, her anger and frustration making it difficult to articte her feelings, her wordsced with trembling indignation.
"It wouldn''t have happened," Rupert said, setting his mug down with a hint of irritation in his dark eyes.
It wouldn''t have happened?
Of course, in his eyes, Bridget was too pure to engage in such sordid schemes.
Sylvia stood up,ughing bitterly, feeling the chill in the sunlight.
She realized that arguing was pointless.
"Uncle Rupert, may you and Bridget be together forever. I sincerely wish you both the best."
With that, she turned to leave.
But her wrist was caught in a firm grip.
Rupert rose, his once indifferent eyes now shadowed and intense. "I don''t need your blessings."
Sylvia''s lips moved, but all that emerged was a weak, shaky breath.
She began to struggle, "Let me go!"
Rupert, unperturbed, pulled her closer, ncing over at Orson nearby.
Orson quickly stepped forward, handing over something.
Before Sylvia could react, a scarf was wrapped snugly around her neck.
"You know what I''m capable of. Wear it."
With those words, he released her.
Sylvia clenched her teeth, tearing herself away.
As the elevator doors closed around
her,
break down, covering her und
e finally allowed herself t
her
The sharp sting in her eyes made her look up, fighting to contain the tears threatening to spill.
Then her phone buzzed, a message from Eloise.
"Get over here now!"
"Okay."
Sylvia wiped her eyes, touching up her makeup in the elevator''s mirrored doors.
When she stepped out again, she wasposed and ready.
Entering the bustling banquet hall, she found Hilbert already on stage, dressed impably and pointing an usatory finger.
"It''s her! Sylvia, along with her dear. friend
cover for stealing the Kasear
sapphire!"
, tried to set me up toet
In an instant, every eye in the room turned to Sylvia, following Hilbert''s outstretched hand.