Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

The driver glanced at his phone. "I can take a shortcut through the neighborhood.

It might save us a few stoplights, but I can't promise we'll get there in half an hour."

"Let's give it a shot."

There wasn't much else to do.

The driver was surprisingly efficient, managing to drop Sylvia off at the corner near her studio right around the half-hour mark.

But as Sylvia stepped out of the car, she glanced down at her swollen ankle with a frown.

She couldn't risk Bridget seeing her ankle and jumping to conclusions, so she needed an excuse for her injury.

Thinking quickly, she noticed a nearby concrete planter.

Taking a deep breath, she scraped her swollen ankle against it. The sharp pain

was so intense that she collapsed against it, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Clenching her fists to fight through the pain, she dialed Freya's number. Right now, she needed a witness.

Freya.

She was probably the one who tipped off Bridget, so having her as a witness was perfect.

Freya answered quickly, "Sylvia? Where are you? Ms. Simpson brought in a bunch of afternoon snacks."

"Freya, I need your help. I fell and can't walk."

"You fell? Okay, I'm on my way."

Freya arrived in no time. Instead of checking on Sylvia first, she scanned the area suspiciously.

It wasn't until she noticed the bloodstain on the planter's edge that she seemed to accept Sylvia's story.

She quickly helped Sylvia up. "How did you manage to fall?"

Sylvia sighed. "The driver parked too close in. I didn't see the step when I got out and took a tumble."

Freya didn't question it further and helped Sylvia back to the studio. "But... was the Bailey Company meeting supposed to take this long?"

Sylvia, examining her wound, replied nonchalantly, "Traffic. You know how busy it gets near Bailey Company around this time, with all the business vehicles."

Freya, sensing Sylvia's casual tone, let the matter drop.

Back at the studio, Bridget was already waiting.

Sylvia eyed Bridget's perfectly made-up face and those striking red lips, thinking how tough she must be to show up looking for dirt right after a procedure. Swnovel

Bridget's gaze landed on Sylvia's ankle. "What happened?"

"Just tripped," Sylvia replied casually.

She and Bridget usually kept things straightforward; going into detail now would only raise suspicions.

Bridget glanced at Freya, who nodded slightly, and that seemed to settle it for her.

Just

@coworker approachednoveldrama

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Bridget, "Ms. Simpson, weren't on leave for a hospital visit?' What brings you back?" fo swnovel

Bridget smiled, pulling a box of pills from her bag. "Well, it's just us gids here, so I can share. I've been dealing with some menstrual issues, and it's been rough. Had to see the doctor for some meds." swnovel

She threw a knowing glance Sylvia's way.

Sylvia was busy rummaging through her drawer for some antiseptic, paying no mind to Bridget.

Relieved, Bridget seemed convinced Sylvia hadn't followed her.

The rest of the afternoon went on without incident, though Bridget remained visibly tense.

As soon as the workday ended, she brightened up considerably. "Mr. Rupert is here to pick me up. I'm off!"

She happily clicked her way out in her heels.

What a trooper, Sylvia thought.

Sylvia slung her bag over her shoulder and limped towards the exit.

Even after icing it in the afternoon, her ankle had swollen further. Every step felt like a needle pricking her.

Pausing to rest at the curb, she watched as Rupert's car, with Bridget inside, drove off.

Through the slightly open window, she met Rupert's cool gaze for a split second before Bridget leaned in to kiss him.

Rupert rolled up the window, acting as if Sylvia wasn't even there.