Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chris was just like always. Though he was a doctor, he had this knack for turning every conversation into a stand-up comedy routine.

His tone was always upbeat, brimming with energy and optimism.

It was hard to believe this was the same guy who'd go wild when he and Bridget were together.

If Sylvia hadn't already seen through his facade, she would've thought, like most people, that being friends with Chris was a joy.

Even she once considered that maybe, just maybe, in a past life, Chris's wrongdoings were all Rupert's doing.

But now, it was clear. He did it all willingly.

When he operated on Stella, he had no intention of letting her pull through.

At that time, the only thing tying Sylvia to Rupert was their child.

Because of the child, Rupert, a man of his stature, couldn't just abandon his wife and daughter. So he was stuck, torn between his affection for Bridget and their illegitimate child and his desire to get rid of Sylvia and Stella.

And with Chris and Bridget's inside help, Sylvia and Stella didn't stand a chance.

Sylvia never imagined that this joyful man would go so far as to help his lover marry his best friend with their son in tow.

Lost in thought, Sylvia didn't notice Chris approaching until he was right in front of her, squatting down, reaching for her foot.

She pulled back, wincing, "Don't touch me!"

Chris was taken aback by the hostility in Sylvia's voice. Although she had never been particularly warm, she'd always been polite.

This blatant animosity was new.

For a moment, Chris was at a loss.

It was then Sylvia realized she might have overreacted.

The people she was dealing with, Bridget and Chris, were masters of disguise.

And with Rupert backing them, she had no chance of winning.

If Chris caught wind that she knew something, she could be in real danger.

Thinking quickly, Sylvia furrowed her brow and feigned pain, "It hurts a lot when touched, so just don't."

Chris snapped back to the moment, his smile all sincere, "You should've said so. Don't worry, I'll handle it." swnovel

Then, to her surprise, he knelt on one knee.

"What are you doing down there?" came Rupert's cold voice from behind her.

Chris glanced at his knee. "What, you want me to kneel on both knees?"

"Move over," Rupert gestured.

“I'm treating an injury, not proposing. What's the rush?" Chris joked.

But he shifted his knee, leaning in to examine Sylvia's injury.

Sylvia gripped the wheelchair handles tightly, puzzled. Was Chris really putting on such a show?

This Chris seemed to match the glowing reviews from nurses and patients.

Warm and attentive.

Yet he and Bridget were clearly...

In her daze, Chris stood up, dusting off his knee, his gaze fixed on Sylvia.noveldrama

"It's just a minor scrape, mostly a sprain. How'd you sprain it?"

Sylvia knew he might be testing her.

She composed herself, trying to look natural, "Outside the studio, by the flowerbed. Didn't see the step."

"I I'll

Chris studied her, smiling, “I see.

have stake you for an X-ray we'll treat the injure net

and then

Gontent belongs to swnovel

"Okay," Sylvia nodded.

Chris glanced at Rupert, as if wanting to say something.

Rupert gestured to Orson, "Take her for a check-up."

Orson nodded, quickly wheeling Sylvia toward the examination room.

Once they were a distance away, Sylvia sneakily looked back at the two.

Rupertever Chris had said,

expression was darband

brooding. swnovel

Had she given herself away?