Chapter 11
“Don’t worry about it,” Odalys said, her tone light and carefree. “It’s just a variety show. Not like I’m gonna lose a chunk of flesh over it.
“Besides, it’s on a deserted island-might as well treat it like a vacation. You’ll be fine. I won’t let your condition get worse while I’m gone.”
She grabbed her medicine box and, without a second thought, turned and gracefully headed upstairs. off
Percival stood still, watching her retreating figure. He didn’t look away for a long while before finally tearing his gaze her and going back to his thoughts.
Just then, Callum approached, holding an iPad. He stepped forward respectfully and spoke up. “Mr. Stewart, I’ve handled everything with the projects Henry’s been working on. He’ll be drowning in work for the next little while, so no need to worry about him.”
“Mm.” Percival muttered a low acknowledgment, barely paying attention as he checked his watch.
It was around the time the poison usually started to act up. But to his surprise, there was no pain-no sign of deterioration on his skin. Nothing. He frowned, held his breath for a moment, then walked toward the garden.
Callum quickly fell into step behind him.
“Any new findings?” Percival asked, his voice soft but laced with impatience.
Callum immediately responded, “Yes, I looked into it. Odalys was brought back to Crownridge by the Bennett family seven months ago.
“Before that, she’d never been here. After going missing, she was taken in by a man. She never left the mountain until she came back to the Bennett family.”
From the investigation, it seemed that Odalys had no connection to the poison that had been affecting him and her. But somehow, she had instantly recognized it and even managed to help him control its effects.
‘Is it just a stroke of medical genius, or is there more to the story?’ Percival wondered.
Callum hesitated before asking, “Do you want me to keep digging?”
Considering Odalys was now married into the Stewart family, even if they hadn’t officially tied the knot yet, things were already complicated. If she found out he was investigating her past, things could go south real fast.
“No need,” Percival said, his voice colder than ice. “If it’s fate, then fine, I’ll accept it. But whoever’s behind this, whoever dared to mess with my family-trust me, I’ll find them and make them regret it. I’ll take care of it before I die.”
“Understood,” Callum replied quietly, his tone matching the weight of Percival’s words.
Percival was a genius-he’d graduated with two PhDs by 15, took over the Stewart family at 16, and had led it to become a global powerhouse.
By 20, he was the world’s richest man. Now, at 28, he was at the top of the game, controlling everything. But despite all his brains and power, someone managed to poison him. Someone was clearly out to get him.
Callum, still unsure, finally spoke up after a long pause. “Mr. Stewart, what if the Bennett family catches wind of what we’re doing? What if they think we’re turning against them? Could it cause problems with Mr. Evander Stewart?”
Percival stopped walking and slowly turned to face Callum, his eyes sharp and unreadable, as if he could see straight through him. “Six months ago, my grandfather suggested this marriage.
“The Bennett family took full advantage, demanding a billion-dollar project in exchange. Now, they change their minds and send me an unimportant daughter instead.”
“Do they really think the Stewart family is weak? Or do they think Odalys will come in, marry me, and never leave alive?” His voice was low, yet filled with disdain.
“Whatever game the Bennett family is playing, Odalys is now part of the Stewart family. Whether I live or die, whether she can fix my condition or not, I’ll be damned if I let anyone-especially the Bennetts-bully anyone in my family. I won’t let that happen.” Percival’s words were final, each one cutting through the air like a blade.
The Stewarts were known for protecting their own-and Percival was no different.
“It looks like the Bennett family miscalculated,” Callum said with a wry grin, his voice almost amused.
As for the marriage arrangement, the Bennetts had assumed that by sending Odalys to the Stewarts, the family would swallow their pride and never mention it again.
After all, when the marriage was first set up, there had been no stipulation that the bride had to be someone from the Bennett family.
Odalys was their flesh and blood, so they felt they had leverage. With that, they’d become bolder, pushing their luck and assuming they could get away with whatever they wanted.
They thought that no matter how much trouble Odalys Stone caused, the Stewarts would never stand up for her. They were wrong.
*****
Upstairs in the bedroom, Odalys was fully focused on mixing the herbs. As the night crept in, the room was slowly swallowed by darkness.
“Ugh…” She let out a soft groan, rubbing her stiff neck. She tried to get up from the carpet, but after sitting in the same position for so long, her legs were completely numb.
She wobbled, then fell back down. With a sigh, she just gave in and lay flat, letting the calming herbal scent ease her restless thoughts. Glancing at her phone, she saw three missed calls from Henry.
Odalys didn’t bother calling back. Instead, she opened her contacts, only to be struck by the realization-she didn’t have a single friend in this bustling city of Crownridge.
‘Ha… Odalys Stone, you’re such an idiot, she thought to herself with a bitter laugh, recalling how she’d bent over backward to please everyone in the Bennett family just for a bit of family affection-while neglecting herself completely.
Now she was stuck in this mess. Seven months had gone by in a blink, and she hadn’t made a single friend. ‘Isn’t that a complete failure?’ she wondered.
Her phone vibrated, breaking her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and immediately hit decline.
Finnian’s message popped up right after: [Why aren’t you answering my calls? Call me back, now.]
A wave of irritation washed over Odalys. When he saw she hadn’t responded, he sent another message: [Pick up. We need to talk.]
She rubbed her temples, then glanced at the incoming call again. Without hesitation, she blocked the number. The messages kept coming, but she didn’t even look at them. A soft but insistent knock at the door.
Odalys turned her head and, with a sigh, got up from the carpet. She grabbed the medicine pouch and walked over to the door. When she opened it, Dorian was standing there, looking as respectful as ever.
“Mrs. Stewart, dinner is ready,” he said, his tone polite and subdued.
Odalys inhaled the smell of the food and looked past him to see a table full of delicious dishes set up in the side hall.
“Mr. Stewart told me not to disturb you, but since it’s already seven, I figured you might be hungry, so I went ahead and brought the food up. Would you like to eat now?” Dorian’s voice was quiet but respectful, almost deferential. Odalys was a bit taken aback. In the Stewart mansion, whether it was the butler or the staff, everyone treated her with politeness, never once looking down on her despite the whole “marriage of convenience” situation.
“Alright, I’m starving anyway,” she said, her voice soft. She handed the medicine pouch to Dorian.
“This is the medicine I’ve prepared. Make sure Percival soaks it for half an hour before bed every night. If he forgets, the toxins in his body will rebound. The suppressed poison will come back even stronger, and it could kill him.”
She said, her tone suddenly serious.
Dorian’s face changed instantly. He grabbed the medicine pouch like it was precious, looking worried.
“Mrs. Stewart, what should we do if the poison flares up unexpectedly?” he asked, his voice anxious as he followed her inside, clearly on edge.
Chapter 12
Earlier that morning, Dorian had witnessed her single-handedly stop the poison from spreading in Percival’s body. In that moment, he realized Odalys was no ordinary woman. She had some serious skills.
“As long as he listens and takes the herbal baths every night, there won’t be any problems,” she said softly, her voice calm but sure.
When she stepped into the dining room, the sight of the lavish spread took her by surprise. The slow-cooked pork ribs were so tender they practically fell off the bone, the spicy crab smelled absolutely mouthwatering, and the garlic butter lobster glistened like it came straight out of a food magazine.
In the seven months she had been back at the Bennett family estate, most of her meals had been leftover scraps. She often came home late to find the family had already eaten. It hadn’t bothered her in the mountains, but seeing a meal like this now made her feel conflicted, the emotions swirling in her chest.
“Is everything alright, Mrs. Stewart? Not to your liking? Or are you allergic to seafood? I can remove it and prepare something else,” Dorian said, noticing her staring at the food.
“No, it’s perfect,” Odalys said quickly, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. “These are all my favorites. I was just… lost in thought.”
Dorian relaxed, sighing in relief. He ladled soup into her bowl and handed her a pair of chopsticks, his voice full of concern. “Good to hear. If you ever have any preferences or restrictions, feel free to let me know.”
“Thanks,” she replied softly.
Dorian stepped back, allowing her to eat in peace. She finished the meal alone, the servants quickly clearing the dishes afterward. She stood by the window, lost in her thoughts for a moment, before grabbing her purse and heading out.
After finishing her errands, she wandered down the busy, neon-lit streets, her mind heavy with thoughts.
“Odalys,” a voice suddenly called out behind her.
Before she could react, a hand grabbed her arm with surprising force. She winced in pain and turned to see Finnian standing there, breathing heavily, his eyes locked on her with a sharp, intense gaze.
“Let go,” she said coldly, pulling away.
Finnian’s lips tightened into a thin line, his handsome face twisted in anger. When she tried to free herself, instead of letting go, he just tightened his grip, trying to force her into submission. But Odalys wasn’t having it. With a swift motion, she wrenched her arm free and pushed him away effortlessly.
She turned to face him, her eyes as cold as ice, sending a chill down his spine. He frowned, confused and rattled by her sudden shift. ‘When did she start looking at me like that?’ he wondered.
“How long are you going to drag this out? You blocked my number. Trying to get my attention, huh? Let me tell you something-this ‘playing hard to get’ crap doesn’t work on me,” Finnian’s voice was low, but there was an edge to it. With a sharp slap, Odalys silenced him. The sound echoed through the street, leaving him standing there in shock, his cheek stinging from the impact. He stared at her, unable to believe what had just happened.
A smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she sized him up. “What, did your mom forget to give you a decent face, or are you just that obsessed with controlling me with all your manipulative bullshit?”
“You think you can lecture me? Just because you’re a bastard from the Lark family?” Odalys’ words hit him like a slap, each one cutting deeper than the last.
Finnian’s lips trembled, his fury rising up like a tidal wave. He couldn’t believe she was using his illegitimate status to attack him. But what hurt even more was the way she suddenly turned on him.
She’d always been so compliant before, so he couldn’t figure out why she was being so defiant now. ‘All I asked was for her to take her sister’s place-what the hell is her problem?’ he thought.
“Fine,” Finnian hissed, fury practically radiating off him. You wanna talk to me like that? Then don’t even think about coming crawling back when you change your mind. I won’t have anything to do with you, not now, not ever.”
Just as he was about to turn and walk away, Odalys suddenly grabbed his arm. He jerked to pull away, but she tightened her grip, her fingers digging into his skin. Finnian Lark shot her a look of disdain. “I told you already. There’s no chance in hell we’re getting back together.”
“Finnian,” she snapped, her voice icy, her anger rising. “You sneak into my life in the middle of the night to harass me, and now you think you can just waltz off like nothing happened?”
Her words rang out loud and clear, and Finnian’s heart skipped a beat. He’d gone to great lengths to stay low-hat pulled down low, mask covering his face-hoping no one would recognize him. But now, she was practically shouting at the top of her lungs in front of everyone.
He tried to pull away, but it was like trying to break free from a vice grip.
Pedestrians stopped, eyes shifting their way. Curiosity lit up the crowd.
“Let go of me! Now!” Finnian growled, panic creeping into his voice. If anyone figured out who he was, his entire career-his reputation-would be in ruins.
“You better explain yourself right now,” Odalys demanded, her voice rising in fury. “What do you mean, ‘agree to what you said’? You want me to be your girlfriend? I’m so done with your obsessive bullshit!”
“Someone help me! Call the cops!” Odalys screamed, her voice deliberate and low enough to make her sound like a victim.
With the mask and sunglasses, no one could tell who she was, but as soon as she yelled, the crowd started to gather. Everyone wouldn’t want to watch a creepy guy harass a woman at midnight.
“This is harassment!” one woman shouted.
“Ugh, this guy’s a total creep,” another muttered.
Some women started whispering and pointing at him. Odalys saw the crowd’s reaction and, with a sudden move, let go of his arm. Just as Finnian thought he’d escaped, she slapped her hand behind his head, knocking his hat off and yanking the mask off his face.
Finnian froze, staring at her in shock. The smirk on her face made his blood boil. He couldn’t believe it-he’d come here to talk to her, and now she was trying to destroy him. He’d never imagined she would go this far just to ruin him.
In a blind panic, Finnian grabbed his face and turned to run. But just a few steps later, a woman threw an ice cream cone at his head, shouting, “Asshole!”
The ice cream slid down his hair, and Finnian could feel his blood pressure rising. He was losing it.
Even though he was an illegitimate son, he’d always been a fan favorite. But now, Odalys had made him into a total joke -like a rat scurrying through the street. Furious, he covered his face and bolted, his steps fast and frantic.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. By the time he reached his car, he glanced around, but Odalys was gone.
She’d played him-drew all the attention to herself so she could slip away without anyone noticing. Realizing this, Finnian clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “Odalys Stone, you conniving bitch. You’ve always liked me, haven’t you? If you can’t have me, you’ll destroy me instead? Well, not on your life.”
He was fuming, every inch of him seething. He slammed his fist onto the seat.
His phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, and for a moment, his anger softened just a bit. “Sophia,” Finnian muttered, his voice flat but trying to sound less tense.
On the other end of the line, Sophia’s voice was shaky, clearly upset. “Finnian… where are you? Why haven’t you been answering? Is it because I asked my sister to marry me in my place? Are you mad at me?”
Finnian froze, quickly checking his phone. Two missed calls from Sophia. He’d been too busy dodging angry pedestrians to notice.
“What’s there to be mad about?” he replied, forcing a calm tone. “It was only fair that she filled in for you. And anyway, it’s just for a month. Once that guy’s gone, she’ll be back at the Bennett family. It’s no big deal.”
Chapter 13
“This is just her making a mountain out of a molehill. It has nothing to do with you, so stop stressing. I already gave her a good talking-to, and I’m pretty sure she won’t bother you again.” Finnian’s voice was calm, soothing.
Sophia finally stopped crying after hearing this, and a smile tugged at her lips. “Thanks, Finnian! I knew you were the best!” she said, her voice playful, almost teasing.
Finnian felt a wave of warmth wash over him at her words. His earlier annoyance faded in an instant. “Alright, enough with the drama. Don’t let it get to you. We’ve got that variety show recording tomorrow, so get some sleep, okay?”
“Mm, you’re right. I’m hanging up now,” Sophia replied quickly, not waiting for a response before ending the call. Sitting in his car, Finnian clenched his phone, his mind replaying Odalys’s cold, dismissive stare. His irritation flared again, and he slapped his forehead in frustration. “She’s definitely playing some mind game. That whole ‘cold’ act was just a front. I haven’t even made a fuss about her past marriage, so why the hell does she think she can look down on me, the bastard?” Finnian muttered under his breath, feeling a bit better as he drove off.
Meanwhile, Odalys had quietly slipped away in the chaos. Watching Finnian get pelted with objects, she felt a dark satisfaction stirring inside her.
She flagged down a taxi, hopped in, and gazed out at the night through the window. Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed as she muttered, “I’m just out buying something, and he finds me this fast? What the hell?”
A flash of suspicion crossed her mind. She wasn’t sure, but she quickly typed a string of numbers into her phone.
A red exclamation mark popped up on the screen, and in seconds, she found the app. Her eyes narrowed coldly. She hadn’t expected Finnian to have installed tracking software on her phone.
“Heh,” she chuckled bitterly, thinking back to when he had borrowed her phone to make a call.
She’d been distracted and handed it over without a second thought. But now, she realized that was probably when he slipped in the tracking software.
Lending someone her phone wasn’t a big deal; she never thought to look for anything suspicious. But to think that Finnian the top actor-would pull such a shady move.
At first, she thought about uninstalling the tracking app, but then a thought crossed her mind.
Instead of getting rid of it, she decided to turn the tables. She hacked into his phone, injecting a virus that copied everything from it. She stared at the WhatsApp chat on her screen, her finger hovering as she opened it.
Right then, a message from Sophia popped up. Odalys opened the chat and scrolled up, her eyes widening as she read through their flirty messages. Her stomach turned. “So, Sophia’s been playing me all this time? Setting up situations so Finnian thinks I’m crazy about him? Even telling him behind my back that I secretly like him?” Odalys whispered, her mind reeling as she scrolled.
For so long, Sophia had been whispering in her ear about how Finnian was into her. And then, in front of Finnian, Odalys had confessed her feelings.
Sophia had been double-crossing her, making Odalys think there was a real chance between her and Finnian, while Finnian just saw Odalys as some pathetic, needy girl. But to be fair, Odalys had felt a little something for Finnian at first. This mess was one of the reasons she had ended up in a toxic relationship and developed depression.
With a sharp exhale, Odalys quickly took screenshots of the conversation and saved them to the cloud and her email. When she finished, the cab pulled up outside the Stewart Mansion.
She grabbed her bags, headed inside, and immediately noticed two perfectly arranged pastries and a steaming cup of milk sitting on the nightstand.
Odalys stared at the little scene, her emotions a whirlwind of confusion. She carefully picked up the milk, sniffed it to check for anything weird.
Just as she was about to take a sip, there came a sudden knock at the door.
“Who is it?” Odalys quickly set her glass down and jumped to her feet to answer.
Outside, Dorian stood looking flustered. The moment he saw her, it was like he’d just seen a lifeline. His face lit up with relief. “Mrs. Stewart, you’re back? Mr. Stewart… he just took a medicinal bath, and then he started vomiting blood.”
“Shit. I’ll go check on him.” Without missing a beat, Odalys rushed out of the room.
She glanced around, and with no hesitation, she pushed open Percival’s door. Dorian hurried after her. Without a second thought, she strode right into the bathroom.
“Mrs. Stewart!” Dorian called, trying to catch up.
But before he could say anything else, Callum stepped in front of him, covering his mouth and yanking him out of the room. “Oh, come on, you’ve been calling her ‘Mrs. Stewart, this whole time. Why the hell does it matter if she goes in the bathroom?”
“Oh… right, right.” Dorian blinked, as if waking up from a daze.
It suddenly hit him. The wedding gifts had already been delivered earlier, and Odalys had officially entered the Stewart family home today. She was, in fact, the Young Mistress now, whether or not there had been a formal ceremony.
Inside the bathroom, steam curled through the air, making everything feel dreamy and blurry.
Odalys stepped in, her gaze landing immediately on the tall figure sitting in the bathtub. His broad back was perfectly sculpted, and his muscular arms rested casually on the tub’s edge. She walked closer and lightly placed her hand on his neck.
“Who’s there?” Percival’s hoarse voice rasped, and before she could react, his hand shot out to grab her wrist.
Odalys felt his grip tighten on her wrist. He yanked her forward, and she had to quickly plant her other hand on the side of the tub to steady herself.
She tilted her head slightly, her hair cascading around her shoulder, and met his gaze.
They locked eyes for a moment. Percival froze. Seeing her wrist turning red from his tight grip, he immediately let go and grabbed a towel to wrap around himself.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He frowned, eyeing her warily.
An icy aura radiated off him, and his dominant presence made the air thick and heavy. It was the kind of posture that made people feel small. But Odalys didn’t seem fazed at all.
“The butler said you were vomiting blood, so I came to check,” she said, her tone cool and unaffected.
Her fingers brushed the side of his neck as she checked his pulse. Then, she gently wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, rubbing it between her fingers.
“You’ve been taking all these meds for years,” she
continued, her voice low. “A lot of that stuff builds up inside your body, leaving toxins in your blood. You know what they say-every medicine has a bit of poison. If you take too much, it’ll mess you up.”
“After that medicinal bath, all the toxins in your body mix together, so vomiting blood is pretty normal. But starting today, no more medicine. Don’t even bother. It won’t help,” she said matter-of-factly.
She stood in front of the tub, peering down at the herbs floating in the water. With one delicate finger, she scooped up a few pieces to examine them.
Percival stayed frozen in the tub, his body tense. His eyes followed her fingers as they traced through the water, and every so often, he glanced down at the herbs in the tub, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly as he swallowed.
His fingers dug into the edge of the tub with enough force to turn his knuckles white. After a long pause, he grumbled, “Got it.”
“Don’t worry,” Odalys said softly. “I told you I’d make sure you don’t die in a month. I’m good for it.” Suddenly, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
Her fingers glided gently over his shoulder and then trailed down to his throat, slowly moving downward over his chest. Percival’s throat tightened again, and his eyes flashed with a mix of emotions. His body stayed stiff, leaning against the tub, his gaze fixed on her fingers as they traveled down his body. The sensation of her touch felt like a warm current, spreading through him, and a strange electricity surged through him.
His once-tight body, coiled and tense, finally began to relax under her touch. It was unfamiliar, a little unnerving even, but it felt fucking good.
Chapter 14
Over the years, the constant pain had been like a relentless torturer, pushing Percival closer and closer to the edge of breaking down. If it weren’t for his iron will and the meager support of medications, he’d probably already be hanging by a thread.
Forget surviving, he wouldn’t even have made it this far. And yet, now, for the first time in a long while, he felt a wave of relief, both physical and mental, washing over him like he was being reborn. It was as though the toxins inside him were quietly dissolving, his body and mind both rejuvenated in a way he’d never felt before.
“All set,” Odalys said softly, pulling her hand back, turning, and walking over to the sink to wash her hands carefully. After a moment, she faced him again, her stance now more commanding as she sized him up.
Her eyes locked with his dark, intense ones. But her gaze slipped, falling onto his bare torso-his strong abs and V-line were obvious now, with only a towel barely covering the lower half of his body.
Odalys froze for a second, her face flushing bright red. She quickly turned her gaze away, realizing the thick, charged atmosphere in the room. She turned toward the door, her steps a little rushed, not quite as graceful as usual.
“It’s getting late, and I have to record a variety show tomorrow morning,” she said, her voice low. “I’ll head back to my room to sleep.”
Just as she reached the door, Percival Stewart’s gravelly voice cut through the air, stopping her dead in her tracks. ” Wait.”
“Huh?” She turned back, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Percival glanced at her briefly, then shifted his gaze to the coffee table across the room. “Dorian opened a safe at the bank this afternoon,” he said in a quiet, serious tone. “Your wedding gifts are in there.”
“The key and your ID are on the table,” he added, his voice rasping a little.
Odalys followed his gaze and saw her ID and a key on the table. She quickly walked over and grabbed the ID.
“Take the key too,” Percival said without looking at her, almost like he knew she’d forget it. “It’s yours.”
Odalys hesitated. She never planned on keeping the gifts. She didn’t want them-she just didn’t want the Bennett family getting their hands on them.
In a month, if Percival made it through, she’d sit down and talk with him about ending this arrangement. She’d return everything to him then.
“Alright.” Without saying much more, she grabbed the key and made her way to the door.
Inside the bathroom, Percival’s eyes lowered to the marks on his neck and chest. The impressions left by her fingers were still visible. He couldn’t help but feel the strange, almost electric sensation.
“So… this is acupressure?” he murmured to himself, his voice low and hoarse. He hadn’t expected acupressure to actually do this-to help with toxins, of all things.
Odalys wasn’t at all what he’d imagined. He thought she was just some pawn sent by the Bennett family to get close to the Stewart fortune. But she’d kept her distance, treated him with cool professionalism, and never once flinched around him.
“Interesting,” he muttered, wiping the blood from his lips, pulling on his bathrobe, and stepping out of the tub.
As soon as he walked out, Leng Zimo arrived in a hurry, his eyes locking on Percival’s neck as he caught sight of him. He quickly approached, excitement written all over his face. “Damn, let me see that!” Orson said with a grin, practically rushing over to Percival. He yanked at the bathrobe, revealing the claw marks on his chest that connected to those on his neck.
“No way! You’ve gotta be kidding me!” Orson exclaimed, his hands shaking with excitement.
Percival grabbed his hand, pulling it away as he tightened his robe and shot Orson a sharp look. “So, this is acupressure?”
“Hell yeah! I’m freaking amazed! You start from the chest to suppress the toxins, then move down to the neck-this is genius! Where’s your wife? I need to meet her right now,” Orson said, practically bouncing on his heels, eager to run off and find Odalys.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, Callum suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Mr. Lark,” Callum said, his voice low but serious, “You just said it yourself-she’s Mrs. Stewart. Don’t you think it’s a little… off to go looking for another man’s wife at this hour?” Orson froze. He quickly raised his hands in surrender, nodding. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right! Not the best timing. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. But, uh, could you have a word with her for me? See if she’ll teach me a few things?”
Orson was obsessed with medicine. Coming from a long line of doctors, he couldn’t resist the chance to learn new techniques, especially one as promising as this. There was no way he was letting it slip away.
“She’s not available right now,” Percival’s deep, gravelly voice interjected, shutting him down cold.
That was like a bucket of ice water over Orson’s head. He opened his mouth, trying to think of something to say, but no words came out. Before he could react, Callum slapped a hand over his mouth and yanked him out of the room.
Once Orson was gone, Dorian stepped in, speaking in a low voice. “Sir, when Mrs. Stewart went out earlier, the driver saw her stop by a pharmacy. But after that, she got… tangled up with someone.”
Percival’s eyes narrowed slightly. He looked up at Dorian, his expression unreadable.
“Tangled up with someone?” he asked, his voice rough, with just a hint of suspicion.
‘Was someone harassing her? Or did she run into some creep?’ he wondered.
“Well, it seems like…” Dorian hesitated, lowering his voice even further, and gave a detailed report of what had happened. He handed over an iPad with a video of the whole encounter.
Percival watched the footage, his gaze hardening when he saw the guy’s face, heard Odalys’ words. His eyes grew colder than ever.
“Sir, should we take care of this?” Dorian asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Percival handed the iPad back, picked up his phone, and paused for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was deep and calm, though the tension in the room was palpable. “No need. She can handle it herself.”
He added, with a deliberate pause, “And from now on, tell the driver to stop tailing her. She’s from the Bennett family, not some damn commodity we bought. This whole marriage thing was my grandfather’s idea.
“She’s part of the Stewart family now, and she gets treated with respect. She’s got her own life. Let her live it. And make sure she gets everything she needs-top-tier, no exceptions. When she comes back, arrange for her to have her own car.”
Dorian blinked in surprise. This was the first time Percival had given orders like this-something more personal, not business-related. He nodded quickly, impressed by the shift.
“Understood, sir,” Dorian said quietly, bowing as he left the room with the iPad.
Meanwhile, in the next room, Odalys had returned to her space. She grabbed a couple of pastries, washed up, and then settled down to rest.
Surprisingly, she didn’t feel restless despite being in a new place. In fact, she drifted off to sleep almost instantly. When her alarm went off, she stretched lazily, got ready, and slipped into a loose black T-shirt and high-waisted pants. She tied her hair up in a ponytail, grabbed her bag and a small suitcase, and quickly made her way downstairs.
The house was eerily quiet, the servants moving about like shadows. Odalys walked quickly, ordering a ride on her phone as she headed toward the door.
“Mrs. Stewart,” Dorian called, stepping forward as he saw her in a hurry.
Chapter 15
Odalys turned around, a flicker of confusion in her eyes, to find Dorian approaching her with a small, neatly wrapped food box. In a calm, soft voice, he said, “Mr. Stewart mentioned that you might have plans today and wouldn’t have time for breakfast.”
“So, I packed you something to take along. Thought it might come in handy on the way,” he added, offering the box with a polite nod.
Odalys didn’t expect such thoughtfulness. As she recalled her time at the Bennett family, even when she was buried in work, no one had ever bothered to leave a meal for her.
The occasional leftover scraps, if there were any, were the closest she got to a proper meal.
But after all the simple, no-frills living she’d gotten used to in the mountains, she wasn’t really the type to care much about such gestures.
Yet, as she looked at the food box in Dorian’s hands, she froze. This was the first time anyone had ever taken the time to prepare a meal just for her. It stirred something inside her-an emotion she couldn’t quite name.
“Thank you,” she said quickly, taking the box, her voice full of gratitude.
Dorian watched her as she walked away, then turned to direct the driver to come over. But Odalys, with a polite smile, shook her head.
“You don’t have to bother,” she said. “I’ve already called a car. It’ll be here soon. I’m heading to a variety show, and taking your car would just be a pain. Don’t want the paparazzi tracking you guys down, causing trouble.”
She didn’t mind, but she saw no reason to deal with the mess if she didn’t have to.
She knew the Bennett family would likely try to make a scene, maybe even set a trap for her. So she wasn’t about to drag the Stewart family into her mess.
“Understood,” Dorian replied with a quick nod, watching her graceful figure disappear down the driveway.
She looked a little lonely carrying her bag, but there was something undeniably strong about her, something that struck him deep.
Dorian stood there for a moment, lost in thought, until Odalys had already left in the car. He muttered to himself, Mrs. Stewart… she’s nothing like those spoiled rich girls.”
*****
Once Odalys hopped into the car, she quickly sorted through her stuff, her mind wandering. Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over the food box, and to her surprise, it was still warm.
Curiosity piqued, she opened it and found two soft, golden doughnuts, two pastries that looked like they came straight from a high-end bakery, and a few tiny, perfectly arranged side dishes.
Without hesitation, she dug in. But after finishing, she noticed something at the bottom of the box.
Curious, she opened it up to find a packet of snake repellent powder and some mosquito repellent. She gave them a sniff and realized they were way better quality than the stuff she’d bought from the pharmacy last night.
“Wait… did Percival have this prepared for me?” she muttered, her thoughts racing.
After all, only Percival knew about her trip to the island for the show. She had mentioned it casually the night before, and now, here she was with breakfast and extra supplies brought by the butler.
She quickly tucked the items into her bag. She had already made her own preparations, but hey, the more the better. But she also knew-whatever kindness the Stewarts were showing her, there was a catch. Percival’s life was in her hands now, and she knew exactly how that played out.
“How long to the dock?” she asked the driver in a soft, casual tone.
The driver, who had been quietly driving, quickly turned his head and answered, “About an hour and a half. We’ll definitely get there before 9:00.”
Odalys froze for a second when she heard his voice. She looked up and realized it was the same driver who had taken her shopping the night before.
So, he wasn’t just some random guy from a ride-hailing service-he worked for the Stewart family.
Now it made sense. She remembered ordering the car just moments ago from the second floor, and the car had shown up almost immediately at her door. That wasn’t a coincidence.
Clearly, someone had been expecting she’d need a ride and had arranged for a car to be waiting. After all, the Stewart villa was in the middle of nowhere, and there weren’t cars constantly driving by.
Odalys glanced at the driver for a long moment, but after a beat, she turned away, saying nothing more.
She drifted in and out of sleep during the ride, barely aware of the time passing, until the car finally slowed and came to a stop at the dock at 8:40 AM.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder and stepped out of the car. The driver immediately came over, handing her the heavy luggage.
Without saying much, Odalys took the bag and glanced at him, her voice soft but clear. “Tell him thanks for me.”
The driver blinked in surprise for a second, then nodded, realizing she had figured it out-it was all part of Percival’s plan.
“Sure thing,” he said briefly before turning the car around and driving off.
Odalys, her boots clicking sharply on the pavement, walked forward with purpose. The host and crew had obviously been waiting for a while, and the moment they spotted her, the cameras focused in on her.
“You must be Odalys Stone, right? Welcome!” the host greeted her with a bright smile, stepping forward to shake her hand. Turning to the camera, she added, “Our first guest has arrived!”
Odalys barely glanced at the camera, catching a few of the comments as they flashed across the screen: [Who the hell is this? Never seen her before.]
[Is she some minor character?]
Someone even said: [Odalys Stone? Just googled her-she doesn’t even have a social media.]
She shrugged it off, not giving a damn about the comments, and walked past them to take her seat.
Since signing with the Bennett Group, she’d been stuck in the shadows, playing nothing more than a side character. Whenever Henry needed a favor, she was the one running errands, taking care of whatever odd task he had.
Over time, it felt like the Bennett family had completely forgotten she existed as more than just their personal servant.
If she hadn’t been given this one more chance, she might’ve still been dumb enough to think they saw her as part of the family, but reality hit hard.
They were using her as a free, all-purpose maid-someone who could play background roles, run errands, cook, clean, take care of sick relatives, and even pick people up after their late-night clubbing.
The thought made her blood run cold. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the excited screams of fans. “Sophia! Sophia!”
Odalys turned, spotting Sophia in a figure-hugging V-neck dress that highlighted her curves perfectly. Her long hair blew in the wind, effortlessly glamorous. Sophia was holding an LV bag and walking toward them like she owned the place.
Sophia’s smile was full of smug satisfaction as she waved at the crowd, accepting a bouquet. “Thanks for coming, everyone! This show is gonna be amazing, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Love you all!”
“Wow, Sophia’s gorgeous! She’s the best!” the fans screamed, practically losing their minds.
Once Sophia finished with the fans, she turned around-but in her excitement, she misstepped and twisted her ankle, stumbling to the side.
“Careful!” A tall, familiar figure darted forward, catching her around the waist and pulling her safely into his arms.
Sophia, now in the man’s embrace, inhaled deeply, recognizing his scent. Panicked, she looked up, her eyes locking with Finnian’s green, brooding ones. “Finnian.”
“Did you hurt your ankle? Let me check,” Finnian’s voice was smooth, almost too soft, as he crouched down to examine her foot. He glanced toward Odalys, his gaze briefly
flashing with something cold-almost like he was showing off.
“Wow, Finnian is so sweet, and he and Sophia make the perfect couple!” a fan shouted.
Sophia’s hand rested on Finnian’s shoulder, and she lightly pushed him away, blushing. “Finnian, I’m fine, I just lost my balance for a sec.” her up
Before she could finish, another man appeared, scooping in his arms without a word and carrying her over to the guest chairs.
He gently set her down, then nodded at the camera and said, “Sorry, my sister got a little too excited and twisted her ankle.
Chapter 16
As soon as the man finished speaking, the fans went absolutely wild, their cheers echoing around them.
“Oh my God, it’s Atlas Bennett! He’s seriously such a fanboy! I might just start shipping them! Sophia is so lucky-she’s got her big bro spoiling her, and then there’s Finnian looking out for her. Honestly, what more could a girl ask for?”
“Right? Being a rich, pampered heiress is the dream. I’m so jealous!” another fan piped up, their faces lighting up with excitement.
Hearing the adoration, Atlas cast a quick, scathing look toward Odalys. The way he acted earlier, it was clear he did it for her to see. He expected to see anger, maybe even a bit of sadness in her eyes-but nope.
She was so absorbed in her phone, she didn’t even spare him a glance. His jaw clenched, his muscles tensing with frustration. If it weren’t for the crowd, he’d have marched right over and confronted her.
“Sorry, I’m late,” a bright, cheerful voice cut through the air. A woman wearing sunglasses, cargo pants, and a basic T-shirt walked over, and with a flick of her wrist, she took off the shades, revealing a stunning face.
“Let’s give a huge welcome to Freya Winslow!” The host’s voice was practically shaking with excitement as he rushed to greet her.
Freya gave the host a quick hug, and right behind her, a man walked up. Seeing the host hug Freya, the man just shook his head.
“Guess the girls get all the love. No hugs for us guys,” he joked with a playful smirk.
The host laughed, a little flustered. “You’re Stellan Drake, the hottest actor in the game right now! I don’t deserve a hug from you!”
The fans cracked up at the exchange.
Freya pushed her suitcase closer and paused to scan the crowd. Her eyes locked onto Odalys, and without hesitation, she walked over and plopped down next to her. Stellan followed right behind and took the seat on her other side.
Odalys had hoped to just sit quietly and blend in, but with two of the biggest stars in the room on either side of her, she became the center of attention. The cameras immediately zoomed in on them, focusing on their trio. “Hey,” Freya said softly, leaning in closer. “Looks like we’re gonna be tossed on an island to survive. Guess we’ll have to stick together, huh?”
“Same here,” Stellan added in a low voice. “First time for me on an island, too.”
Odalys chuckled and smiled, enjoying the easy conversation. “Me too. I’m actually looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, Sophia, sitting off to the side, was seething. She had chosen her outfit carefully-a plunging V-neck dress, hoping to grab the spotlight-but Freya completely stole her thunder.
They had always been rivals, but now, after Freya’s massive success with a hit historical drama, the tension had reached a whole new level.
Sophia had fought hard for the lead role in that drama, only for Freya to swoop in and take it. As soon as the show aired, Freya’s career exploded, while Sophia found herself stuck, unable to move forward.
“Atlas, how dare she team up with Freya Winslow to shut me out? I’m her sister!” Sophia hissed, her voice dripping with venom. Her eyes were burning with rage.
She never thought she’d be ignored like this. She had carefully styled her look-her custom-made dress, designed to show off her curves-but it hadn’t made any impact at all. It was like she wasn’t even there.
“Chill, it’s not even the island yet,” Atlas said, trying to calm her down. He gave her hand a light, reassuring pat. “Once we’re on that island, anything can happen.”
But his words barely seemed to sink in. Finnian didn’t speak, his eyes locked onto Odalys with an intensity that could almost burn through steel.
He hadn’t known Odalys was so close to Freya and Stellan.’ Why did I never pick up on that?’ he wondered. It left a knot of confusion and unease in his gut.
“I’m so sorry, the traffic was insane. I’m really late, my bad.” A girl rushed in, dragging her suitcase behind her, panting heavily.
Sweat was dripping down her face, and it was obvious she’d been in a mad scramble to get here.
Right behind her was a guy-Selah Rowe and Lucian Pierce, the hot new duo. Their songs had been killing it lately, and now they were diving into acting too. They’d come for a variety show, hoping to up their profile and snag some top-tier gigs.
“Looks like all our guests are here,” the host said, holding a microphone and announcing it to the crowd.
Selah and Lucian scanned the area and spotted two empty spots in the center-clearly the prime seats. After a brief hesitation, they made their way over and sat down.
Lucian chose the seat next to Finnian, while Selah settled in next to Freya.
“Alright, let me quickly run through the rules for the show,” the host said. “For the island challenge, we won’t be taking your phones, but the signal will be blocked. You’ll only be able to communicate with each other while you’re on the island.
“We’ll be live-streaming everything, and the crew, including Kenny, our director, will be shadowing you guys throughout. Now, check your bags-no food allowed, but you can bring any essential medications.
“Oh, and we’ve got some self-defense gear for you to choose from-ropes, knives, machetes, axes, stun guns, water guns, pepper spray, and shovels. Pick one.”
As soon as the host finished, the staff pushed the equipment forward.
“I’ll take the stun gun!” Sophia shot up, grabbing the stun gun like someone was gonna steal it from her.
Atlas squinted, stood up, and said, “I’ll go with the axe.”
“Guess I’m stuck with the machete then,” Finnian muttered, picking up a huge knife.
Lucian walked up and said, “I’ll take the shovel.”
The host couldn’t help but chuckle. “You guys are like mind readers. Since you all picked the same items, why don’t you team up? The rest of the tools will go to the other team.”
The items were quickly sorted out. Odalys picked the knife, Freya grabbed the rope, Stellan chose the water gun, and Selah grabbed the pepper spray.
Once everything was settled, the host added, “You’ll be on the island for two weeks. Your main task is to find food.
“If your team can find enough food every day, the winning team will get S-level resources from Silverline Entertainment.”
At the mention of Silverline Entertainment, the room went dead silent.
Silverline Entertainment was one of the most elite
companies in the industry. They had the best connections, the best resources-most of the biggest stars came from there.
Landing S-level resources from Silverline was like getting a golden ticket straight into the A-list.
Sophia’s eyes lit up, and she gripped the stun gun like it was the key to her future.
“Alright, time to board the boat!” the host announced, and the crowd went wild, cheering for their favorite stars. The noise was deafening.
The group boarded the boat while Kenny and the rest of the crew scrambled to finish getting everything ready.
Odalys got up to use the bathroom, and when she came back out, she found herself cornered at the door. Atlas was standing there, his face tight with fury, his eyes cold as he glared at her.
“Henry says you need to make sure Sophia wins this show,” he said, his voice ice-cold. “You’re gonna help her snag the top spot and secure those Silverline Entertainment resources. Got it?”
“If you play along and help her, we might let you go permanent. Otherwise, when your contract’s up, don’t expect us to renew it,” Atlas warned, his tone sharp as a knife.
Chapter 17
Odalys let out a short, mocking laugh, her eyes narrowing as she looked Atlas up and down, like she was sizing up something pathetic.
That face-once so handsome and full of charm-now struck her as sinister, almost reptilian, oozing malice. ‘How the hell did I not see this before?’ she thought, disgust curling in her chest.
“Seriously? You care about her that much?” she said, her tone sharp and biting. “Then do it your damn self. You think everyone’s lining up to kiss your ass and work for your precious family company?
“News flash, Atlas: they’re not. I broke my back for you for seven months-seven months-and what did I get? Not a single penny. Zilch.”
She stepped closer, her words hitting harder. “You treat people like slaves. Three months is the max for a probation period, but you made it eight.
“Eight months just to wring every ounce of free labor out of us. You call that an opportunity? Keep it. I’m done. Don’t waste your breath trying to drag me back.”
With that, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the floor with finality. Atlas stood there, frozen, like he’d just been slapped in the face. His jaw tightened as he stared at her retreating figure, his mind struggling to keep up.
“Wait! Odalys, stop!” he barked, anger flaring as he chased. after her. But the second he got close, she spun around and delivered a brutal kick straight to his chest.
Boom! The impact sent him reeling backward, his feet tangling as he crashed into the restroom door. He let out a strangled grunt, clutching his chest as he doubled over. His face contorted in pain and humiliation as he tried to catch his breath.
“Try that shit with me again,” Odalys said coldly, her voice as sharp as a blade, “and I’ll show you what real trouble looks like.” Her glare could’ve frozen fire, and for a second, Atlas didn’t dare move.
Only when she turned on her heel and stormed off did he let out a shaky breath. Fury churned inside him, his fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.
“She’s fucking crazy!” he muttered, stomping a foot in frustration. His eyes flicked down to his shirt, where the dusty outline of a footprint screamed back at him.
A shiver ran through him. ‘If that kick had been just an inch lower… Before he could stew any longer, a familiar voice broke the silence.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” Stellan’s amused drawl carried from the restroom doorway. He leaned casually against the frame, his trademark smirk in full effect. “Atlas, my man, you training for a kung fu competition or something? Need me to be your sparring partner?”
Stellan’s sharp eyes drifted to the footprint on Atlas’s chest, and his smirk widened. Atlas forced out a stiff, awkward laugh. “No need, thanks. I’m good.”
“Suit yourself,” Stellan replied with a shrug, clearly enjoying the show. “Just don’t overdo it, yeah? You’ll need your strength for the island. Trust me.”
His words had just enough edge to set Atlas’s teeth on edge, but he knew better than to push back. Stellan wasn’t just a superstar actor-he had connections, deep ones, the kind one didn’t mess with.
Grinding his teeth, Atlas stormed back to the deck, his mood worsening by the second. His eyes landed on Sophia, who was lounging against the railing, letting the ocean breeze play with her hair. Finnian Lark hovered nearby, snapping photo after photo with his phone.
Sophia wasn’t holding back, either. She arched her back just enough to show off her figure, then leaned forward, her low-cut dress teasing more than a little.
A sultry sway of her hips followed, and with a flirtatious flick of her wrist, she lifted the hem of her skirt, revealing her smooth, impossibly long legs.
The camera operator, ever the professional, stayed locked on her every move, capturing it all. The livestream chat exploded in real-time.
[OMG, Sophia is so hot! Look at those legs!]
[She’s a literal goddess. I need to hit the gym ASAP.]
[Okay, but is it just me, or is she laying it on a bit thick? Like, who’s all this for?]
[Sophia! Girl, save some for the Only Fans, damn.]
Then someone noticed Atlas lurking in the background, and the tone shifted.
[Wait, is that Atlas? Hell yeah, sibling content incoming! Their chemistry is gold.]
[Uh… is that a footprint on his shirt? Did someone kick him?
[Drama alert! Who had the balls to mess with Atlas on this yacht? Spill the bean!]
Speculation ran wild, the chat buzzing with theories and hot takes. The mysterious footprint turned into a spectacle, adding a juicy layer of tension to the already chaotic scene. On the other side, just as Odalys was about to take a sip of water, Freya leaned in, propping her chin on her hand as she eyed her up and down with a mischievous grin.
“What’s up with you?” Odalys shot her a suspicious glance. Freya blinked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She even got up and circled Odalys a couple of times before leaning in closer and whispering, “Hold up-Odalys, you’ve got muscles! Wait, do you have abs hidden under there?”
Before Odalys could react, Freya was practically on top of her. “Abs on a girl? That’s hot! Seriously, I can’t stop thinking about it. Every time I eat, I just wanna plop on the couch and die.”
Freya’s voice dropped to a low, excited whisper. “Come on, let me see your abs.”
The fans in the live chat were all over it. [God! Freya’s totally losing her mind over this.]
[Wait, does she really have abs? I need to see that too!]
Odalys looked at Freya, who was practically drooling, then casually reached out to tilt her chin up. Leaning in close, she whispered in her ear, “Only the abs? Or do you wanna see the V-line too?”
Just then, Stellan walked over, overhearing their playful banter. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Damn, are all you women this hot? Now I’m interested.”
Without missing a beat, Freya grabbed an apple from the table and shoved it into his mouth. “Here, have an apple.” Selah, sitting quietly nearby, glanced around nervously, clearly unsure whether she should join in.
She had only debuted with two songs in her girl group, and she still wasn’t firmly established in the industry. She was terrified of saying something wrong and offending someone, especially with Stellan and Freya being major stars.
Stellan leaned in close to Odalys Stone as he sat down next to her, his voice low. “Damn, your kick is insane.”
The photographer was a bit far off, adjusting the camera, so the audience couldn’t hear their conversation.
Odalys raised an eyebrow and gave him a side-eye, but didn’t answer. It was obvious that Stellan had seen her kick Atlas earlier.
But Odalys didn’t feel guilty about it at all. She didn’t care about the setting-she only cared about her mood.
Atlas needed a lesson, and if she didn’t give it to him, he’d just keep pushing. A good smackdown would probably keep him quiet for a while. As long as he didn’t make trouble, she wouldn’t bother him.
But if he did? She’d happily break his legs.
[Wait, did my honey just whisper something to Odalys? I’m dying to know what they said!]
[Odalys is totally flirting with Freya! I love this girl-on-girl action, I need to see the V-line!]
[LOL, Freya just shoved an apple in Stellan’s mouth! If they weren’t on a boat, would they have thrown down?]
The fans were going wild in the comments, clearly shocked to see their idols acting so differently from their usual public personas. On the boat, they all seemed so much more relaxed.
Two hours later, the boat finally docked, and the crew began unloading the equipment. Suddenly, Odalys’s expression changed. She quickly turned and made her way toward the director, Kenny.
“Mr. Murphy,” she called out softly.
Kenny was talking with the camera crew. When he heard his name, he quickly stubbed out his cigarette and leaned in. “What’s up?”
“I think the weather’s about to turn. We might get some wind tonight,” Odalys said quietly.
Kenny glanced up at the clear sky and asked, “You sure about that?”
“I’m not an expert, but I’ve got a feeling. We’re close to the sea, and if the wind picks up, it could get dangerous,” she replied, keeping her voice low.
As soon as she finished, a laugh rang out nearby, followed by the unmistakable sway of someone’s hips. The strong scent of perfume hit Odalys like a brick, and she. instinctively frowned.
Chapter 18
Sophia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You’re just saying the wind’s gonna pick up? I checked the weather before I came here. My brother even called the weather bureau to double-check.
“They said clear skies for the next two weeks-not a storm, no earthquakes, nothing. It’s about as safe as it gets.” She pulled out her phone and handed it to Kenny. “Look, here’s the confirmation from the weather bureau.” As she spoke, she angled the phone so the cameraman could catch the screen, making sure everyone saw the info.
Kenny glanced at it, then cleared his throat. “Well, if the weather bureau says everything’s fine, then it should be. But if Odalys feels something’s off, we should stay alert- better safe than sorry.”
He turned to the crew and called out, “Alright, everyone, stay sharp. If the weather changes, we need to be ready. We can’t take any chances.”
Sophia’s grip on her phone tightened. She thought calling out Odalys would embarrass her and make Sophia look good in front of everyone.
But instead of getting flustered, Odalys stayed calm, and Kenny actually took her seriously. That was enough to make Sophia absolutely livid.
Her fists clenched, but with the cameras rolling, she forced. a fake smile. “Yeah, being cautious is never a bad thing.”
She reached out to grab Odalys’ arm, but Odalys just turned and walked away without a second glance, leaving Sophia hanging. Her eyes burned with irritation as she watched Odalys walk off.
Meanwhile, the live stream was blowing up with comments. [What’s Odalys doing? Is she ignoring Sophia on purpose?] [A C-list actress acting all high and mighty? Gross.]
[No wonder she doesn’t even have a Twitter. She’s probably too scared of getting roasted by trolls.]
[Honestly, island weather is unpredictable. Sophia’s right to be cautious. Better safe than sorry. I’m with Odalys on this one!]
Kenny glanced at the live comments, then up at the sky, thinking, ‘If the weather does turn, that’d actually work in our favor. A little drama means more views. Just as long as no one dies, of course.’
He kept that to himself, though, didn’t need anyone hearing that.
Not far off, Freya waved at Odalys, who was coming off the boat. “Odalys! Over here!”
Selah stepped forward, eager to help. “Freya, let me grab that for you.”
Freya smiled, waving her off. “It’s fine, really. I don’t have much. I got it.”
Stellan followed quietly behind, carrying his own things.
Odalys, effortlessly carrying her bag and pulling her suitcase, walked off the boat like it was nothing.
In contrast, Sophia was taking tiny steps, carefully followed by Atlas, who was lugging her bags, and Finnian, who was holding her makeup bag.
“Slow down,” Atlas warned, making sure she didn’t trip on her heels.
Sophia strutted down the ramp, practically gliding with Atlas and Finnian in tow. Lucian followed behind, holding her Louis Vuitton bag like it was the crown jewels.
Her luggage was a mountain compared to Odalys’ simple, light packing.
The live chat was going wild. Some people were mocking Sophia for how extra she was with her baggage, others were jealous of the two guys doting on her.
But as soon as the boat docked, their phones lost signal. They had no idea what the fans were saying. Only the crew could see the flood of comments.
Kenny followed closely behind, stopping and raising his hand, as if he were making some kind of grand proclamation.
He said, “Alright, listen up, people! Here’s the deal. You’re gonna be split into two teams of four. From this point on, you’ll be living on the island on your own. Surviving? That’s on you. No help from the production team. You’ve got your brains and your guts-that’s all you’ve got to rely on.
“Your only task is to take care of yourselves. The camera crew will be with you, but no matter what shit goes down, we’re staying neutral. We’re not getting involved. This is all on you.
“Also, Odalys brought up the possibility of wind. Even though the weather forecast says it’s all clear, stay sharp. Safety first, alright?”
Then he cleared his throat. “I’m officially kicking off this challenge now! From this moment on, your phones are useless. You won’t be able to contact the outside world, but we’ve got an internal network set up. I’ve created a group chat, so if you need anything, hit us up there.’
As soon as he finished speaking, the crew scattered, moving off to the side.
The guests, bags in hand, started trekking down the rough path leading further into the island. The path was decent at first, but it quickly became overgrown, turning into
something straight out of a jungle.
“Oh my god, is this even an island? This looks like a damn jungle! No sign of any development here,” Atlas said, his voice filled with disbelief.
The production team hadn’t told anyone which island they were on. Everyone thought it would be some luxury resort, but the scene before them made it clear-this was anything but a vacation spot. A chill ran down their spines. “This road’s practically gone! How the hell are we supposed to get through this?” Sophia asked, looking around in confusion. Her earlier composure was rapidly slipping.
Since being adopted by the Bennett family, she’d been pampered and had never really experienced hardship. Even on set, there was always someone looking out for her.
Now, facing this wild, untamed jungle, she instinctively pulled herself in, visibly freaked out.
“Everyone, throw on your jackets! We’re gonna get eaten alive by mosquitoes,” Odalys said quietly, already putting on a sun protection jacket she had prepared.
Freya and Selah followed suit, quickly pulling out their jackets, and Stellan did the same, dressing quickly.
“Is this really necessary?” Finnian Lark muttered to himself, frustration seeping into his tone.
Odalys hadn’t looked at him once all day. It was like they were strangers. He couldn’t forget the slap she’d given him the night before-it still pissed him off.
She’d embarrassed him on purpose, and if he hadn’t been quick enough, his scandal would’ve been all over the media. On the boat, he’d taken photos of Sophia on purpose, deliberately getting close to her to get a rise out of Odalys. He expected her to get jealous and confront him, but she didn’t say a damn word. Two hours later, she was still stone-cold silent. He felt off, but with the cameras rolling, he just had to suck it up.
“If the wind picks up tonight, we need to find a place to camp ASAP,” Odalys warned, her voice low. “If we don’t, we’re gonna be in deep shit.”
Freya quickly leaned in toward her, whispering, “Wind? We’d better get a move on, then-if the waves come in, we might get dragged out to sea!”
“Yeah, let’s head deeper into the island,” Stellan agreed, nodding quickly. “Get away from the shore.”
Selah instinctively glanced over at Lucian, but he was looking anywhere but at her. He was focused on Sophia, and then said, “Miss Bennett, why don’t you wear my jacket?”
He handed it over with a polite smile, the kind that made it clear he wasn’t exactly doing it out of charity.
Chapter 19
Sophia glanced at the clothes he handed her, her eyes flicking over the low-key logo before a flash of distaste quickly crossed her face.
She masked it with a cool smile. “Keep it,” she said casually, her tone firm but polite. “I’ve got a jacket on me. I’ll throw it on later.” As she spoke, she tilted her head just slightly, giving the camera a picture-perfect side profile.
The camera zoomed in, capturing the delicate line of her jaw, the effortless glance back she gave, and the subtle, almost childlike innocence in her expression.
The male audience in the live stream went wild, their cheers echoing in the chat.
[Goddess! She’s unreal!]
[Is Odalys trying to steal the spotlight? Seeing how gorgeous Sophia looks, Odalys probably had someone bring her a jacket to outdo her.]
[Is it really going to be windy tonight? These people don’t seem prepared at all. What if something goes wrong with the weather?]
Some fans were swooning over Sophia’s beauty, while others were concerned about her safety. The show was now at the center of public debate, with everyone voicing their opinions.
But the guests had no idea what was going on in the live stream.
“Take it easy, slow down a bit,” Lucian said quietly, watching Sophia. His eyes were a mix of nervousness and, if you looked closely, a hint of greed.
He was new to the game, and standing out in a group full of big names was tough. Being on a variety show was a huge opportunity, and meeting stars like these? That was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
There were rumors that Sophia Bennett was the heiress of the Bennett Group, though it was never confirmed. But her connections were top-notch.
On top of that, her brother Atlas was a popular singer, and Finnian was a hotshot actor. Both were fiercely protective of her. Anyone who could get close to her was bound to go places.
“Take it easy, Sophia,” Atlas said, noticing her discomfort. He stepped forward, gently pushing Lucian aside, and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
The path ahead was full of thorny bushes, wild grass, and branches with sharp thorns. Sophia, who had been pampered her whole life, had never seen anything like it.
Her face turned a little darker with annoyance, but she pushed through, trying to smile. “I’m fine, Atlas. Really, I got this,” she said, leaning even closer to him.
Atlas, instinctively, tightened his hold on her. But as he turned, a thorny branch came at them. Protecting her, he moved quickly, not realizing his arm had been scratched. “Ouch!” Atlas hissed, looking down in surprise as his arm bled, the thorns embedded deep into his skin.
Blood began to drip, and he frowned, trying to swat away the branches. But another thorn jabbed into his hand.
“Atlas, what’s wrong?” she cried, her voice filled with panic. She reached out, wanting to help, but instead, she pressed herself even closer to him.
Seeing her distressed, Atlas quickly pulled her into his arms, his voice soft but reassuring. “It’s nothing, just a little scratch. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
He held her even tighter, wrapping her securely in his embrace. Sophia instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him steady, while he cupped her backside with one hand, keeping her close as he hurried forward.
The position was undeniably intimate, but neither of them seemed to care or even notice.
“Come on, move it!” Finnian called, quickening his pace. Lucian followed closely behind.
The three men had scratches on their faces and arms, but Sophia was unharmed, completely protected. When Atlas finally set her down, she immediately grabbed his arm, checking the wound with concern.
“Don’t cry, I’m fine,” Atlas said, though he was clearly in pain. Seeing her eyes welling up, he gently caressed her face.
[What the hell’s going on here? She’s got her legs around her brother’s waist? This feels… a little off.]
[They’re just siblings, but you guys are the ones making it weird. You’ve got a dirty mind if that’s what you think.]
[This whole group is giving off some seriously weird vibes. Am I the only one who thinks this feels like a 4P situation?] [Poor Sophia. She’s so spoiled. This must be terrifying for her, she’s probably freaking out.]
The live chat was exploding with comments, many questioning the relationship between Sophia and Atlas, while fans rushed to defend them. The conversation was a mess of arguments and heated debates.
“Should we just go around it?” Freya asked, her voice hesitant as she stared at the thick tangle of thorns ahead. The sharp pricks made her uneasy, her nerves starting to get the best of her.
“This path is the shortcut to the safety center,” Odalys
replied in a low voice, urgency in her tone. “We need to get into the woods and find a safe spot before nightfall. Things could get really ugly if we don’t move fast.”
She quickly grabbed the knife from the supplies the crew had given them, and without missing a beat, she stepped forward, determination in her stride.
Everyone watched in shock as Odalys casually tossed the knife into the air, catching it effortlessly. With one swift motion, she slashed through the branches and weeds.
A quick flick of her wrist cleared the thorns, and with a sharp kick, she sent them flying off to the side. It was effortless, smooth-like she’d done this a hundred times.
[What the hell is going on with that other group? Didn’t the producers hand out tools to everyone? Why are they charging through with a damn kitchen knife and a shovel?]
[LOL, they’ve got knives and are still getting scratched up? That’s pathetic.]
[Am I the only one who thinks Odalys is straight-up badass? She’s calm, smart, and totally got her shit together.]
Seeing Odalys in action, Freya and Stellan quickly pulled out their own tools and joined in, hacking at the underbrush. Selah followed close behind.
The four of them made it through the thorns in no time, easily passing Sophia’s group. The difference was clear- Sophia’s team looked like they’d been through a battle, their arms covered in blood, while Odalys and her team were gliding through like it was nothing.
“Why didn’t you say something earlier, if you knew you could clear the thorns?” Atlas shot at Odalys, his eyes blazing. He was in pain, his arm throbbing, and the cuts on his face were starting to itch like crazy.
Watching Odalys slice through the thorns with ease was driving him insane. That’s when it clicked-he and his team had tools too, they just forgot to use them. He felt a heavy frustration building in his chest, nearly choking him.
“Well, anyone with half a brain would’ve cleared the thorns first, but you decided to charge in like an idiot. And honestly, it’s just a couple of scratches-they’ll heal. Quit whining,” Odalys said, barely sparing him a glance. The cuts weren’t deep, and they’d stop bleeding soon enough.
Atlas was about to argue, but Sophia grabbed his arm, stopping him. She spoke quietly, “Atlas, don’t. She probably just remembered, okay? She didn’t do it on purpose.”
Her words were full of sarcasm, and Odalys caught it, unable to hold back a laugh. She turned to Sophia, smirking, and raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I did it on purpose.”
Sophia froze, eyes wide. She saw the cameras behind her and bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly turned her face away, her tears pouring as she sobbed silently, still trying to hold back the frustration with a stubborn clenched jaw.
Odalys couldn’t care less. With a roll of her eyes, she took a quick look around, then kept walking, her steps steady. Thanks to their lightweight gear, they were quickly pulling ahead of the others, heading deeper into the woods.
Chapter 20
“Odalys, that was freaking badass!” Freya exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she practically skipped to catch up. Her face lit up with a grin so wide it could rival the sun, and her eyes sparkled with admiration.
From the moment she’d met Odalys, she’d thought she was pretty cool, but this? Standing up to Sophia Bennett and her mean-girl posse? That took it to a whole new level.
Freya couldn’t help the rush of giddy satisfaction-it was like karma in action. After all, she and Sophia had been mortal enemies forever, and Odalys just made it crystal clear whose side she was on.
“Didn’t you think something was… off?” Odalys suddenly stopped, spinning around to fix Freya with a sharp look. Her piercing gaze was so intense it felt like Freya had just been caught red-handed doing something dumb.
Freya, who’d been dragging her suitcase like it weighed a ton, dropped it with an audible thud and doubled over, panting. Her pale face was flushed pink, her bangs stuck to her forehead with sweat.
She waved a hand dismissively. “Nah, everything’s fine. Seriously.”
But no sooner had the words left her mouth than she noticed Stellan and Selah exchanging weird looks, their faces stiff like they were trying not to laugh or scream. Freya straightened, blinking in confusion.
“What? Why are you guys looking at me like that?” she demanded, her voice tinged with irritation. “Do I have something on my face or what?” She swiped at her cheeks self-consciously, then fished around in her bag for a mirror. And that was when it hit her. A strange, tingling sensation crawled up her legs. She froze, her blood turning to ice. Her gaze darted to Odalys, who was staring at her legs with a deadpan expression. Slowly, Freya looked down- and nearly passed out. Wrapped tightly around her calf was a small snake, its body coiling upward like it owned the place.
“Holy shit,” Freya whispered, her voice trembling. The snake raised its head as if it had heard her and flicked its tongue in a slow, taunting motion.
Then she lost it. “Oh my God! A snake! There’s a fucking snake on me!” she screamed, her voice shooting up several octaves.
Her panicked cry sent the entire group into motion. The other contestants came running, their curiosity quickly turning to horror. Meanwhile, the cameraman, ever the opportunist, zoomed in for a close-up.
Freya sat frozen on her suitcase, her entire body trembling like a leaf in the wind. Sweat poured down her forehead as if she’d just run a marathon.
The snake, clearly feeding off her fear, hissed and raised its head higher before lunging straight for her face.
“Shit! Look out!” Stellan shouted, grabbing a stick from the ground and sprinting toward her like a man on a mission. Selah was right behind him, clearly ready to tackle Freya out of the way if it came to that.
Freya couldn’t move. Her legs felt glued to the ground, and her brain screamed at her to run, but nothing happened. She could only watch in horror as the snake darted toward her, its tongue flicking inches from her nose.
Thunk!!! A flash of silver cut through the air. The snake’s body jerked violently, and it fell to the ground, writhing. Freya gasped as the creature was flung across the clearing and pinned to a tree by a gleaming knife, its blood splattering against the bark.
“Are you okay?” Odalys was already standing beside her, her tone calm but her eyes scanning Freya for injuries.
Freya blinked up at her, too stunned to respond. Slowly, she touched her cheek where the snake’s tail had slapped her. Her fingers trembled as her gaze shifted from Odalys to the snake, still wriggling but securely pinned.
“O-Odalys…” she stammered, her voice cracking. Tears welled in her eyes as the memory of the snake coiling around her leg sent fresh waves of terror through her. Her knees wobbled, and she felt like she might collapse any second.
“It wasn’t venomous,” Odalys said casually, as if she hadn’t just saved Freya’s life in the most cinematic way possible. She strode over to the tree, yanked the knife free, and with a swift motion, chopped the snake into pieces. Kicking the remains aside, she turned back to Freya.
Meanwhile, Sophia stood off to the side, her face twisted in barely contained rage. She’d been relishing Freya’s freakout, convinced this was finally her moment to see Freya humiliated-or worse. But Odalys had to step in and ruin everything.
Sophia clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. She’d despised Freya ever since she snagged the lead role Sophia had been gunning for. If Freya were out of the picture, everything would’ve fallen perfectly into place. But now? That knife throw had destroyed her plans. Sophia’ s jaw tightened as she shot Odalys a glare sharp enough to cut glass. ‘Why the hell did she have to show up? Why did she have to play hero? And why, why, did she have to save Freya?’ she thought bitterly.
It was like she was hell-bent on making Sophia’s life miserable.
“Thanks.” Freya’s voice came out shaky as she clutched Odalys’s arm like a lifeline. Her grip was tight, her fear obvious, but she managed to muster those words even as her knees threatened to buckle.
Odalys glanced at her and smirked, her sharp gaze softening just enough to make room for amusement. She reached out and gently wiped the lingering tears from Freya’ s cheek. “What’s this? Afraid of snakes?”
Her tone was teasing, laced with a calm that only made Freya feel smaller. “If you’re that scared, you’ve got to toughen up. I’ll show you a real snake later-you might as well learn to deal with it.”
“What?” Freya’s head snapped up, her wide, tear-streaked eyes locking onto Odalys. “Are you kidding me?” Her voice cracked somewhere between disbelief and outright panic.
Odalys chuckled under her breath, giving Freya’s nose a playful flick. “Relax, crybaby. Let’s keep moving.” She clapped her on the shoulder and turned away, striding ahead like nothing had happened.
Behind them, Stellan and Selah were frozen, their arms still raised with makeshift weapons they hadn’t gotten a chance to use. They exchanged sheepish looks before finally lowering their hands.
“Damn,” Stellan muttered, his tone half-admiring, half- defeated. “She’s on another level.”
“Let’s go.” Without waiting for a reply, he stepped forward, setting a brisk pace.
Freya, still visibly shaken, barely noticed Stellan reach down and grab her suitcase along with his own. Selah hesitated, then stepped closer, her voice low and careful. “Freya, you okay? Need a hand?”
Freya nodded quickly, her voice failing her. “Yeah, thanks,” she whispered, leaning into Selah’s steady arm.
The group fell into a rhythm, with Odalys leading the charge. Stellan trailed behind her, carrying both suitcases with ease, while Selah kept a protective grip on Freya. No one wanted to linger in the eerie silence of the forest. The sooner they were out, the better.
“Pick up the pace!” Finnian called from behind, his voice tinged with impatience. He was juggling Sophia’s luggage, his earlier cockiness long gone.
The forest was unnerving. Every sound-leaves rustling, twigs snapping-set his nerves on edge. The deeper they went, the more it felt like the place was alive, watching them. His confidence wavered with every step.
He glanced at Odalys ahead, her calm, measured strides cutting through the chaos. She didn’t look fazed in the slightest, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of respect. She’ d grown up in the mountains-that much he’d heard. Unlike the rest of them, she actually belonged here.
“Ah!” A sharp cry from behind snapped him out of his thoughts.
He turned to find Sophia wincing, one hand gripping her ankle. “What’s wrong now?” he asked, his frustration barely masked by concern.
“Just a rock,” Sophia said quickly, brushing herself off. “I stepped on one wrong. Let’s go. We’ll lose sight of them if we don’t hurry.” She bit her lip, pushing through the pain with an air of forced resilience.
Atlas, still pale from the snake incident, silently quickened his pace. The image of the snake lunging at Freya had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
Lucian brought up the rear, his sharp eyes darting around as if he expected something to jump out at any second. The production crew followed a short distance behind, their earlier carelessness replaced by cautious steps. The cameras never wavered, capturing every tense moment. They’d split into two teams to keep both groups in frame, ensuring the live-stream stayed as dramatic as possible. The live chat was blowing up, a chaotic storm of opinions flying in every direction. [Are you kidding me? What’s wrong with this production team? They didn’t even clear the trail! They knew there were snakes out here and didn’t bother to warn anyone. Poor Freya must’ve been scared shitless.] [Honestly, with all that screaming, who even knows if it was real? What if the snake was just a prop they planted for drama?]
[Fake? Nah, no way. I just rewatched that part a bunch of times. That snake was 100% real. Plus, it’s a live stream- how the hell would they fake something like that?]
[Yo, did anyone else notice how calm Odalys was? Like, girl didn’t even flinch. She looked like she’s been out in the wild her whole life or something.]
[Sophia is over here acting like the world’s ending. She’s so damn dramatic-it’s embarrassing. Someone get her off my screen.]
Some viewers were still too rattled to even type. The sight of the snake flying through the air had left half the audience stunned into silence, and a few admitted they’d nearly fainted watching it live.
Odalys came to an abrupt stop, her eyes scanning the overgrown trail ahead. She crouched slightly, studying a mound barely visible beneath the thick undergrowth.
“There,” she said, pointing. “That’s a cave. If the wind picks up tonight, we’ll need to shelter there. Tents out here would be a bad idea-too exposed.”
Her words were still hanging in the air when Sophia perked up. Without hesitation, she broke into a run, practically tripping over herself in her rush.
“Look! She’s right-it’s a cave!” she shouted, her voice ringing with a mix of relief and urgency. “Atlas! Finnian! Over here!”
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