Chapter 30 Crisin
Happily dissecting the scandal, neither Sylvia nor Juliette noticed Bruce return home until he was standing behind them listening silently.
Hearing Sylvia mock Cyril as scum and recount Karina’s suggestive posts over the years,
Bruce relaxed, having worried how the news might affect Sylvia and rushed back to check on her. Seeing her so at ease, he realized his unnecessary concern.
With Sylvia determined to move on from Cyril, she likely wouldn’t dwell on matters related to him anymore.
Bruce had hesitated over leaking the mistress story, fearing Sylvia’s reaction. But deeming it proper punishment for Cyril’s words to her during their dinner run–in, Bruce had taken the risk, anonymously providing salacious hints without hard proof. For scandals, evidence mattered less than insinuations expertly aimed where damage would occur.
Noticing Bruce, Juliette instantly adjusted her bearing into perfectly poised student before an authority figure. Only her brother could elicit such reflexive propriety from the usually boisterous girl.
Sylvia smiled wryly at Juliette’s change in demeanor before greeting her brother, mentioning they were just discussing the news he probably saw.
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“Yes, it was my doing. Are you angry?” Bruce asked.
Sylvia’s eyes widened in surprise. Why would she be mad? If anything, she felt gratified at the catharsis.
“Of course not! I’m delighted you helped me vent my frustrations, brother. Thank you,” she said sincerely.
It dawned on Sylvia that Bruce had likely acted out of anger from Cyril accosting her at dinner. Her brother had stepped in when that man upset her yet again. Warm fondness for Bruce arose in Sylvia.
Noticing Juliette’s discomfort at his presence, Bruce genially made his excuses to leave and allow the girls their privacy. Only once he disappeared from sight did Juliette exhale heavily, gazing lingeringly after him.
“You’re practically mooning over my brother. I’ll help play matchmaker if you actually like him,” Sylvia teased.
Juliette flushed bright red. “Don’t spout nonsense! Why would I like that boring man? I have zero interest!”
“Uh huh, sure. That’s why you wrote him love letters in high school asking me to pass them along,” Sylvia needled wickedly.
Mortified at the resurfaced childhood antics, Juliette protested, “Hey! I never bring up your past with Cyril either! Why poke at my history with your brother?”
Dejected, Juliette added, “Not that I’d stand a chance with him anyway. You’ve seen his reaction.”
Despite her long–held affection, Bruce only regarded Juliette platonically as another little sister like Sylvia.
since you harbor Seeing an opportunity, Sylvia piped up supportively, “Don’t worry, feelings, I’ll help you out! I know my stoic brother seems dull on the surface but he’s actually pretty amusing and considerate once you know him better.”
“No need to sing his praises on my account. Having liked him for so long, I understand his personality fully already,” Juliette interjected wryly.
Sylvia conceded she did tend to go overboard championing her brother. Settling back down, Juliette checked her phone for more entertainment news but bolted upright again.
“Oh my god! Guess what else I found? News broke of your marriage to Cyril! They exposed your identity as his ex–wife! Haven’t traced you back to the Evans yet but still – what do we do?” Juliette asked frantically.
Hearing herself entangled now, Sylvia quickly sat up and grabbed her own phone to check. Why was she suddenly embroiled in this?
It turned out an unknown party had uncovered her brief marriage to Cyril after his denial. statement, even digging up old wedding pictures. Fortunately Sylvia’s true background had remained concealed, with only public–facing details exposed against her will.
Still, the unwelcome attention bothered Sylvia. Who would want aspects of private life randomly broadcasted?
“What is this? How did I get involved when it was Cyril’s and Karina’s mess? Your brother wouldn’t have leaked additional stuff. Can you analyze the photo angle to guess the source?” Juliette asked as she tried vainly to solve the mystery.
But even scrutinizing pictures from a wedding she hadn’t attended, Juliette couldn’t decipher the culprit’s identity. Too much time had passed for Sylvia to sparse guest list of unimportant acquaintances.
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A worrying thought occurred to Juliette then. “Do you think Karina dragged you into this to divert public fire?”