Summer seized the opportunity and pulled Sylvia into her embrace. âIâm sorry. Sylvia, Iâm really sorry. I was wrong. I know I was wrong. I know Iâve let you down.â
They were locked in an embrace as Sylvia cried her heart out. It was only after some time had passed that Sylvia broke off the embrace and opened the door to leave the room. In an instant, Summer was petrified. In a panic, she could only call out, âSylvia-â
However, Sylvia did not turn back and left the room. Summer did not have the courage to chase after her, and could only stare vacantly at the closed door. She couldnât accept the decision of having to apologize to Olivia, or for Sylvia to tell the others the truth.
Back on set, Olivia had already recovered the deleted surveillance footage with Northâs help. Her suspicion turned out to be true when she briefly went through the footage and discovered Summer had added the laxatives to the drinks. Just as she was about to present the footage to Director Norris, she saw Sylvia walking toward her. With a hint of urgency, Sylvia called out to Olivia.
âMiss Maxwell, I... I have something to say!â
Olivia and Jewel made eye contact with one another before Olivia replied to Sylvia, âWhat is it? Tell me!â Sylviaâs hands were locked together restlessly. âMiss Maxwell, can we go somewhere private for this?â
Raising her eyebrows, Olivia complied. âAlright. Letâs go!â Jewel followed Olivia as she was worried about Olivia. Sylvia led them down to a passage until the very end.
Olivia said, âTell me whatâs on your mind now!â Should she be willing to disclose the truth, it proves that she still knows the difference between right and wrong!
However, Sylvia remained quiet and kneeled on her knees instead. âMiss Maxwell, Miss Fenton, Iâm sorry. Please forgive me. I was the one that added the laxative in the drinks.â
Olivia frowned in response. It did not occur to her that Sylvia would pull them aside to somewhere private just to admit that it was her that did it! She truly thought that Sylvia was going to identify Summer as the culprit!
She was slightly disappointed. Loyalty and affection for another were good values to have, but for her to be unable to distinguish between right and wrong was over the line. This was just a foolâs loyalty. But she considered the possibility that Summer might have made a deal with Sylvia for Sylvia to come forward as the culprit. âWhat kind of deal did you make with Summer?â
Sylvia froze and quickly answered, âI didnât make any deals with Summer!â
Olivia cast a disapproving look at Sylvia. âIf you didnât make any deal with Summer, why on earth would you admit that you are the culprit. instead?â
Sylvia finally understood Oliviaâs implication. âT That has nothing to do with Summer. I-I was the one that added the laxatives!â âDo I look so gullible to you?â Olivia sneered. âDo you know why Jewel and I did not drink the milk teas you gave us?â
After pondering on Oliviaâs question for a while, she resigned herself to the answer she came to. âBecause you donât trust me!â
Olivia explained, âIt wasnât you that I donât trust; it was Summer. If you had not told us that it was Summer who had asked you to give it to us, then we might have already drunk the drinks you gave us. In an unfamiliar place, you must possess the ability to refrain from hurting others, yet be on guard against those trying to harm you.
The reason I let my guard down with you is that I believed that you were someone with morals. I thought that you were just trying to survive in this industry by staying close to Summer, which was why you had endured all the grievances. However, right now youâve turned my understanding of you on its head. Deliberate distortion of the truth and the lack of a moral compass. Is this a case of he who stays near vermillion gets stained red, and he who stays near ink gets stained black?â
Oliviaâs tone was laced with hints of mockery and became slightly provocative. As Sylviaâs face instantly grew as red as a tomato, she immediately prostrated before Olivia.
âIâm really sorry, Miss Maxwell. I wonât blame you for what you have to say about me. I understand what itâs like to be falsely accused and to be deeply disappointed. But please, donât investigate this incident any further and just think of me as the culprit.
Iâll accept whatever punishment, whether itâs to be handed over to the authorities or to pay the medical bills!â
Oliviaâs frown turned deeper. She couldnât help but raise her voice several pitches higher. âDo you know what youâre saying right now? How old do you think you are? Your life is ruined if you are sentenced to prison for this!â