As the seconds ticked by, Rupert''s face grew more and more grim.

In the end, he pressed his lips together, shooting aplicated look at Sylvia.

Not that she noticed-Sylvia had long since gotten used to Rupert''s cold, silent routine.

He couldn''t help her. He wouldn''t. Not even if all it took was standing up and saying a couple of words to clear things up.

People areplicated. So are their feelings.

But all she ever wanted was something simple.

Sylvia didn''t bother holding back anymore. "Well, if that''s the case, then Ms. Winslet, I''d like you to provide more evidence to prove where your photos came from. Otherwise, I have every right to believe you faked them."

Kay clearly hadn''t expected Sylvia to push back so hard.

With a sour look, Kay snapped, "And what proof do you have that your mother''s innocent?"

"Funny you should ask. I actually do have some."

Sylvia pulled a medical report out of her desk drawer and tossed it right in front of Kay.

"The very first day my mom was attacked, I called the police. This is the full medical report they did, with the officers present."

"It says right here my mom was beaten up in several ces, and there were traces of sedatives in her blood."

"The most important part: there was no sign of any sexual activity. Which is why the cops started investigating for assault and battery. That''s not just some petty charge."

"So, Ms. Winslet, how are you going to prove that the guy in your photos and my mother were doing what you say? And not, you know, that he was just beating her up? Unless you''ve got a video?"

"And even then-why would someone ckmail you with a video? Wouldn''t ckmailing the Garcia family get them a bigger payday?"

As she spoke, Sylvia mmed the police case file onto the table.

Kay''s eyes went wide. She screeched, "Impossible! That''s impossible!"

Sylvia just shot her a cold smirk. "If you don''t believe me, why not ask the guy in the photos yourself?"

And just then, as if on cue, thest people anyone expected walked in.

Edwin—and the so-called "pretty boy" from the photos.

Kay was so shocked she dropped the report right onto the floor.

"Some people learn from their mistakes," Sylvia said with a small smile. "You didn''t really think I''d let you destroy the evidence, did you? What you got rid of was just a décoy. I just wanted to see who''d take the bait."  s

She nced over at Rupert, who was hidden in a corner, watching her through the haze of his own thoughts.

But that didn''t matter.fn0f4a Latest content published on fin?novel/fn0f4a

Rupert used her, and she used Rupert. Fair''s fair.

Funny how they''d ended up on opposite sides like this.

Edwin grabbed the "pretty boy" by the shoulders and shoved him in front of Kay.

The guy,pletely out of his depth, dropped to his knees and begged, "It―it wasn''t me. It was Ms. Winslet! She told me to set up Mrs. Naomi!"

"Lies! I''ve never even met you! Did Sylvia and Naomi pay you to say that?" Kay red daggers at him.

The guy instantly shrank back, silenced.

That''s when Edwin cut in, voice cold as ice. "Spit it out! You don''t get to be intimidated by some outsider in here!"

Kay''s face flushed red, her voice low and furious. "Edwin! Are you seriously going to do this?"

Edwin didn''t hesitate. "Kay, the one line you should never have crossed is messing with my wife and my daughter."

"Wife? Daughter?" Kay let out a bitter, barkingugh, pointing straight at Sylvia. "Your precious daughter is ready to marry a total psycho. What kind of person does that make her?"

Sylvia gave a faint, almost amused smile. "Ms. Winslet, when did I ever agree to marry Yves?"

"Trying to y games now?" Kay sneered. "Well, too bad for you-I''ve invited Mrs. Hanson here. Let''s show everyone your true colors." Kay pped her hands.

Mrs. Hanson walked in, looking exhausted and furious.

She red at Sylvia, practically spitting the words, "You ruined my son! You''re nothing but bad luck!"

Sylvia straightened her back and replied calmly, “Mrs. Hanson, you really shouldn''t make wild usations. If anyone ruined your son, it''s the Hanson family''s own gics not me And again, when did ever say agreed to marry. Yves?"  s

"Of course you "

Mrs. Hanson started to retort, but she couldn''t for the life of her remember Sylvia ever saying yes.

"Mrs. Hanson, I''ve always said it was

up to you and your son. I''m not the

one marrying Yves, so it''s not my ce to have an opinion didn''t set the date, I didnt pick the dress. Please don''t pin this on me. And if you still don''t believe me, I''ve got the receipts. Want to see?"

belongs to s

Sylvia took out her phone and showed Mrs. Hanson a message, just for her eyes.

Mrs. Hanson''s face went ghost-pale. She stood there,pletely stunned.