Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia glanced over the audience, her gaze landing on a man seated in the VIP section. Beside him, the event organizer was whispering something with his head bowed low.

However, the man seemed disinterested, casually sipping his coffee through a wisp of steam, his darkened eyes fixed on Sylvia.

An intense pressure feared Sylvia, who had to quickly avert her gaze.

Most people in the audience didn't seem to expect much from Sylvia. After all, competitors like Bridget, who brought diamonds worth hundreds of thousands to the contest, were rare, not to mention her designs were both innovative and complete. Even the organizer thought so.

"Mr. Garcia, don't worry, I've just spoken to Professor Eloise, and she's very pleased with Ms. Simpson. She's definitely taking first place."

Rupert took a sip of his coffee, nonchalantly responding, "Not necessarily."

The organizer was momentarily puzzled, trying to decipher his thoughts. He followed Rupert's gaze to Sylvia on the stage and after some thought, it then dawned on him.

"Mr. Garcia, I got it."

Rupert paid no mind to what he was saying, his attention still on the stunning figure on stage.

The organizer bowed out of the VIP section and whispered something to a staff member. The staff member quickly scurried away.

On stage, Sylvia nodded at the host, indicating she was ready to present her piece.

A staff member promptly approached with a tray covered by a cloth. As he handed it over, he fumbled, and the tray fell from Sylvia's grasp.

With a crash, her artwork shattered, its original form unrecognizable.

The staff member accused, "It was in your hands. Everyone saw."

Bridget covered her mouth, feigning surprise, "Sylvia, how could you be so careless? If you didn't want to compete with me, you could've just said so. Are you trying to embarrass me and Professor Eloise?"

At the judges' table, Eloise frowned deeply upon hearing it, clearly displeased. Bridget's fans in the audience began to boo Sylvia.

"So ungrateful and presumptuous!"

"Clearly afraid of losing to Bridget, so she resorts to sabotage!"

"I've heard from her school that she only got her grades because of some sleazy teachers, look at that face, a picture of bewitchment."

However, there were some rational fans.

"Really? She's wearing an RR exclusive gown. Those are one-of-a-kind, and only the very influential can get them. Even Bridget's gown is just a standard model. Could a teacher really secure such a luxurious dress for her?"

A girl holding a fan sign for Bridget sneered, "With looks like that, she probably has more than one sugar daddy. How can she compare to Bridget's elegance and grace?"

Bridget, almost as popular as a celebrity online with an adequate amount of fans, in order to entice the head of her fan base into drawing publicity for herself, had arranged for her fans to sit behind the VIP section, hoping they would take flattering photos of her to share online. It was also a treat for the fans who wanted to be closer to Rupert.

So, all their remarks reached Rupert who was sitting in front. He set his coffee down with a thud and glanced at Orson beside him.

Orson nodded and stepped away.

Minutes later, five security guards arrived, citing disturbance of the contest's order as the reason to escort Bridget's fans out.

The fans made a scene, looking desperately towards Bridget for help. But the latter was too preoccupied with wanting Sylvia out of the competition to care.

She smiled at Sylvia, seemingly magnanimous, "Sylvia, just apologize to everyone and you can leave. I'll plead with Professor Eloise and the judges not to hold it against you."

The crowd nodded in approval, admiring Bridget for her consideration of the bigger picture.