Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia's cold gaze swept over the people in the room, finally settling on the middle-aged cop standing right in front of her.

"So, you're Fanny's uncle, aren't you?"

"I'm just doing my job, ma'am, following protocol," he replied, not directly answering her question, standing up even straighter as if that made him more righteous.

But the quick, nervous glance he shot at Fanny gave him away.

Sylvia let out a soft laugh. "Sorry, but I don't buy your so-called 'procedure.' I called 911 less than an hour ago, and somehow Ms. Lance already has her full medical report, while mine's still missing two pages. Must be nice to have a crystal ball, huh?"

"And another thing, nobody's even taken my statement. Since when do the police just pick sides based on the alleged victim's story?"

"As for the psych eval, I've been cooperating with my therapist for months. The hospital records say I'm in remission. So how was I supposed to have a mental breakdown and deliberately shove Ms. Lance?"noveldrama

"Oh, and since you're related to the so-called victim, I want another officer. Otherwise, I'll file a complaint for conflict of interest."

Sylvia's voice was calm but firm, every word sharp as a tack.

The cop just scoffed, unimpressed.

As she set her pen down, he instantly stiffened, as if expecting trouble. "Ma'am,

I'd think twice before making any sudden moves. Assaulting an officer is a serious crime. You'd be looking at jail time, maybe even a felony."

So now they were threatening her for not signing their paperwork? Classic.

It reminded Sylvia of her past life, of how Bridget and that kid had managed to conjure up "official" injury reports out of nowhere. Clearly, this was where the rot started.

"Sylvia! Haven't you caused enough trouble already?" Tristan's sharp voice cut through the tension, his steely eyes warning her to stop.

Before Sylvia could answer, Bridget swept in, the picture of gentle concern. "Tristan, please don't get upset. It's not worth it. Let me talk to Sylvia."

She turned to Sylvia, her tone syrupy sweet. "Sylvia, you really messed up this time. Just apologize and Fanny will let it go. Do you really have to be so selfish and make everyone miserable?"

Selfish? Sylvia almost laughed.

She was always the scapegoat, wasn't she? The black sheep everyone could blame, so the rest of them could pretend everything was fine. Just like when they forced her to confess to something she didn't do it was all about keeping the it

peace, as long as she was the one suffering.

She'd learned the hard way: take enough crap, and suddenly everyone thinks you can handle a little more. Now, just because she wanted out of their twisted little ecosystem, she was the selfish one.

Sylvia turned and fixed Bridget with

a steely look. "Ms. Simpson, since you care so much about your friends, maybe you should ask Ms. Lance how she even knows me We've never met. So how did she

just happen to 'accidentally run into

me and start all this?"

Bridget's eyes widened in panic. "Fanny was drunk, she just mixed you up with someone else," she stammered.

"What a coincidence," Sylvia replied, arching an eyebrow. "If she hadn't picked me, maybe none of this would've happened, right?"

She nodded toward Fanny, who was still looking disheveled and miserable.

Anyone with half a brain could hear the implication: Bridget had set this up.

Bridget clenched her teeth, but when she turned to Fanny, she put on her best wounded doe routine. "I'm sorry, Fanny. I just can't argue with Sylvia when she's twisting

ver

everything like this..." She let a single tear slip down her cheek for effect.

Fanny, desperate to believe her, shot a look at the cop.

The officer gave Sylvia a patronizing smile. "Ms. Lloyd, you have no evidence that Ms. Lance kidnapped or assaulted you. Even if we opened a case, it wouldn't go anywhere. You're only embarrassing yourself."

But this time, Sylvia didn't wait for anyone else to speak. "Who says I don't have evidence?"

That got their attention. Every face in the room changed, and even Fanny, slumped in her wheelchair, almost leapt to her feet.

Sylvia reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, smiling coolly. "The evidence? Why, Ms. Lance brought it right to me herself."

"No way! There's no way I left any evidence!" shrieked Ms. Lance, panic flashing in her eyes.