Betrayed, Yet Bound To The Billionaire by Grace Madeline (Chapters 181 to 190)

Chapter 181

Odalys was not carrying her usual backpack. She never went anywhere without it.

“I don’t know,” Atlas said, looking at Sophia with a sly glint in his eye. “How about I create a distraction, and you try to grab her backpack?”

Sophia nodded eagerly, her eyes glinting with excitement.

“Okay,” she whispered, her fingers trembling with nerves. She wasn’t sure if the emerald pendant Odalys carried was really that powerful, but if it was, then there might be even more valuable things in her bag.

The thought of changing her destiny filled her with an almost manic determination.

She couldn’t keep going on like this. No matter how much the Bennett family had fallen from grace, she would climb to the top. She’d marry into a prestigious family and live the life of a wealthy wife.

Her fingers dug into her palm, almost painfully, as she fantasized about the possibilities.

Atlas let out a low grunt of discomfort.

He looked down at her hand, which was digging into his arm with surprising force. Her fingertips had pressed into his skin, drawing blood. He frowned, uncomfortable.

“Sophia,” he muttered, his voice strained. “You’re hurting me.” She blinked, surprised, and quickly pulled her hand away, looking down in confusion. Only then did she realize she had been squeezing his arm. Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Sorry, I just… got too scared,” she stammered, quickly making an excuse.

Meanwhile, Francis had finished washing the dishes and turned around to head back. He caught sight of the two of them standing close, whispering to each other.

His cold, sharp eyes narrowed as he studied them.

“Are you two in a relationship?” Francis asked, his tone teasing but with an edge of mockery.

His comment made them both jump apart, as if they had been caught doing something shameful.

They looked at each other, unsure of how to respond, but before they could say anything, Francis had already walked off toward his room, grabbing a change of clothes. The faint sound of him humming a tune as he entered the bathroom indicated he was in a good mood.

Finnian kicked a chair aside in frustration. His footsteps were heavy as he stormed toward the other room.

Without warning, he grabbed Odalys by the arm and pulled her aside. He towered over her, his gaze burning with anger. “Are you interested in Francis now? Think he’s some kind of international model with connections and a good

background? You think he can save you?” Finnian’s voice was low and furious.

“You married a dying man, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. And now, while we’re still filming, you want to get close to someone new? Odalys, are you out of your mind? Francis is too cunning; he won’t pull you out of that family. He won’t save you,” Finnian said.

Odalys blinked at him, stunned, before slapping his hand off her arm.

“You’re insane,” she muttered under her breath, brushing him off.

Finnian stood frozen, staring at her retreating figure in disbelief. “I’m doing this for you, and you call me insane?” he grumbled, his voice tinged with hurt.

He gritted his teeth. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Let’s see how this ends up.”

Unbeknownst to him, the cameraman, sitting nearby, had been quietly filming the entire scene.

The words Finnian had just spoken, his actions, everything. had been broadcast live. When he turned around and saw the cameraman, his eyes widened in shock.

The cameraman’s knowing glance made him feel uneasy.

The cameraman flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground, stepping on it before hoisting his camera and following Odalys.

“What…?” Finnian was left standing there, dumbfounded. The live stream was buzzing with comments. Fans, curious and eager to understand what had just happened, flooded the chat.

[Wait, Finnian knows that Odalys married a dying man?]

[What’s the paparazzi been doing? They’ve been

investigating for days, but still no clue about this dying man? Who is he?]

[What’s wrong with this guy? What made him think Odalys was interested in Francis? The two of them have barely even spoken to each other.]

[So Odalys is really married? I’ve always wondered who the powerful and independent woman is married to.]

[Is Group B planning something with Francis tonight? Are they taking action against that creepy person trying to sneak into their rooms?]

As the curiosity around Odalys and her past began to heat up, the viewership numbers climbed steadily.

Fans were left waiting in anticipation, but the show producers remained silent, fueling more speculation and excitement.

“Let me check your injuries,” Odalys said.

After taking a shower, Odalys emerged wearing black wide-leg pants and a form-fitting black T-shirt that highlighted her tall, slender frame. Her hair tied up, she walked over to Freya and gently cupped her face.

Freya obediently turned her face to let Odalys examine the wound on her forehead, which was still wrapped in gauze.

“I’ll take a look too,” Selah called out as she jogged over, having just finished brushing her teeth.

The two of them stood anxiously as Odalys carefully unwrapped the bandage, revealing a slightly red but healing wound.

“Looks good,” Odalys said with a soft smile. “The wound’s healing, and it should be fine. Just avoid fish and spicy foods for the next couple of days, and keep it light. You shouldn’t have a scar.”

She quickly cleaned the wound again, applied ointment, and rebandaged it with practiced ease.

“Wow, Odalys, you’re so good at this!” Selah exclaimed, her curiosity piqued. “Have you treated people before?”

Odalys chuckled softly. “When I was younger, I used to help my master take care of injured animals up in the mountains. Sometimes I even helped with births.”

Odalys’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she spoke. The human body isn’t all that different from animals. I started helping people with their ailments when I was 15. Before that, I mostly treated animals that got hurt in the mountains.”

She paused, almost as if lost in the memory for a moment. There weren’t many people up there. Not much interaction,” she added.

Freya’s curiosity grew. “Mountains? Weren’t you bored with no people around?”

Odalys shook her head with a small laugh. “Not at all. There was always something to do-gathering herbs, distinguishing different plants, practicing my skills. I even studied magic. My time was always packed.”

At the mention of magic, both Freya’s and Selah’s eyes lit up. “Magic? Is it difficult? Could we learn it?” Selah asked excitedly, practically bouncing on her feet.

Odalys smiled, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “It’s not about difficulty. Magic requires something called ‘fate.” When my parents abandoned me, my master saw I had a connection to magic, so he took me in.”

Her voice was casual, as if speaking of an ordinary event, but Freya and Selah were quiet, both sensing the deeper story behind her words.

“Why are you so quiet?” Odalys teased, noticing the change in their expressions. “I’m not sad about it, so there’s no need for you to feel bad for me.”

Chapter 182

Odalys pulled out her bag and began unpacking the herbs she had collected that day. She carefully laid them out to dry on a nearby surface, speaking softly as she did so. These herbs are all top-quality.”

“The herbs from the mountains are wild, and they’ve been growing for many years. They’re much better than the ones grown artificially, which have neither the age nor the

potency of wild ones,” Odalys explained, her tone carrying a quiet wisdom.

“By the way, Odalys,” Selah interjected, her curiosity piqued. When we were on the island, you mentioned cutting down a few pieces of wood that had been struck by lightning. I looked it up later, and I read that lightning-struck wood can ward off evil. Is that true?”

Selah’s question caught the attention of both Stellan and Freya, who turned to Odalys, eager to hear her response. Odalys finished arranging the herbs and wiped her hands, giving them a small smile. “Yes. I heard that lightning-struck wood is one of the best materials for warding off evil. It’s incredibly rare, though.”

“Can you sell some to me once you’ve finished processing it?” Selah asked eagerly, her eyes practically glowing with excitement.

Odalys chuckled, her expression warm. “Sure. Once I’ve processed it, I’ll get you a portion.”

“I want some too!” Stellan said, raising his hand with childlike enthusiasm.

“Me as well!” Freya added, joining in.

Odalys smiled, nodding. “Alright. You’ll all get some.” The sky had grown completely dark, and a sharp, knowing look crossed her face. It seemed the moment had arrived.

She grabbed her backpack and turned to face the others, her voice casual. “Want to go for a walk?”

Selah and Freya exchanged looks, sensing something was off but following her lead anyway.

“Sure, let’s get some fresh air,” Selah said as she gently helped Freya to her feet, the tension already creeping into their movements.

Just as the group stepped outside, they were joined by Francis, who had heard the noise and decided to follow. Without a word, the group silently made its way down the familiar path. As they walked, they began to hear a strange, haunting sound.

“Who’s screaming?” Freya asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

The scream was shrill and full of agony, a sound that seemed to echo through the night.

“Sounds like Rafael,” Selah whispered, her voice low and cautious.

The mention of Rafael made Freya stiffen. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, remembering the figure she had seen hiding in the room earlier. Though she hadn’t seen his face clearly, the memory of his presence still haunted her. The group walked in silence, their footsteps soft on the dirt path. As they passed by Rafael’s door, Odalys casually kicked a small stone toward it.

The stone hit the door, making a loud sound in the quiet night.

At that moment, the door seemed to shudder as the protective barrier around it vanished, and with a loud crash, Rafael came stumbling out, blood staining his clothes.

His face was pale and twisted in pain, his frail body crashing to the ground as he desperately tried to crawl away.

“Help me! Please, help!” Rafael cried, his voice hoarse and desperate, but his eyes were wild with fear.

He looked as if he had just barely escaped from something far worse, and when he saw the group standing there, he scrambled towards them like a desperate animal, hoping for salvation.

Francis and Stellan stepped forward, blocking his path with ease. Their large figures towered over him, and Rafael suddenly seemed small and helpless in comparison.

“What’s going on? What happened to you?” Stellan asked, his tone deliberately cold.

Stellan could see the bloodstains soaking through Rafael’s clothes, the man’s injuries still raw and untreated. But despite the evident pain and his bloodied state, there was no mercy in Stellan’s eyes.

No matter how much Rafael might try to plead, Stellan wasn’t about to feel sorry for him. The image of Rafael trying to drag Sophia into his room earlier was more than enough proof of his lack of decency.

If they hadn’t been surrounded by people, a defenseless girl might have already fallen victim to his twisted intentions.

He didn’t deserve sympathy. He wasn’t even human-he was a beast.

“I’m injured! She hurt me!” Rafael struggled to straighten himself, his body trembling with the effort. His hand shot out, pointing at Freya with a fierce glare in his eyes. “This woman, she stabbed me! I don’t know what she used, but she did it. It’s her-she’s the one who hurt me!”

Freya’s heart sank as he pointed at her.

She hadn’t even thought he’d be the one hiding in the room, but now it made sense. She felt disgust rise in her chest.

To think that this man had been fixated on her-her-this entire time. She couldn’t believe it.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Freya said, her voice icy. “You’re accusing me of stabbing you? I’ve been with everyone here all day. I haven’t left their side for a moment.”

The rest of the group nodded in agreement. “Exactly. She’s been with us the entire time. You think she had a chance to stab you?” Odalys added, her voice cool and cutting.

Rafael’s face flushed with frustration, his words failing him as he struggled to come up with a response.

He glanced nervously at the group but couldn’t hold Odalys’ sharp gaze. Her eyes seemed to pierce through him, her presence intimidating.

“Where exactly did she stab you?” Selah asked coldly.

Rafael hesitated, unable to answer. His lips trembled, but he was silent, his earlier bravado evaporating under their scrutiny.

“Never mind, we don’t want to cause any more trouble with the villagers,” Odalys muttered, her tone low and resigned. If the cameraman hadn’t been there, we’d be drowning in accusations. It’d be impossible to clear our names, no matter how hard we tried.”

Odalys stretched lazily and took a step forward, glancing back with a smile. “Let’s go for a walk, then we’ll head back and get some rest.”

Rafael’s heart raced when he saw her move. His panic flared.

“No! You can’t leave!” he shouted, rushing forward in desperation.

He planted himself in front of Odalys, his face ashen, his eyes wide with fear and fury. He glared at her for a moment, then his gaze shifted to Freya. “It’s her! She’s the one who stabbed me in your room!”

The words landed like a slap, and for a moment, the entire room went silent.

Everyone stared at him, eyes filled with suspicion and contempt.

Odalys didn’t flinch. She raised an eyebrow and gave a sharp, mocking laugh. “Oh really? Then, how about you explain why you were in our room in the first place? We’ve had no dealings with you-what exactly were you doing hiding in there?”

She stepped closer, her voice cold and biting. “And even if we take your ridiculous story at face value-if you were hiding in our room and she found you, it’s called self-defense. Do you have a problem with that?”

Rafael’s heart sank as the words cut through him.

He vaguely felt like he had stepped into a trap.

They hadn’t said anything yet, but they had already convicted him.

But the pain in his body made him lose his composure. He knew that if the bleeding didn’t stop soon, he would die, and he didn’t want to die.

Chapter 183

All eyes were on Rafael.

“I… I…” Rafael’s lips trembled, but then, as if making up his mind, he finally blurted out, “I need a wife. I saw her, and with her big chest and wide hips, she’ll definitely bear good children.”

“I want her to be my wife,” Rafael declared boldly.

The words hit Freya like a slap to the face. She felt her stomach churn with disgust.

She had never imagined that someone like Rafael-this greasy, middle-aged man-would have his sights set on her. It made her feel suffocated.

“Why her?” Odalys asked coldly, her voice chilling.

Rafael, now angered, seemed to grow bolder, responding with a sense of entitlement. “Why not? You all came to our village willingly, didn’t you?” he sneered.

“You’re about to leave, right? But you can’t all leave. You have plenty of women. Why can’t you leave me one? I’ve never had kids before. You have to give me a son before you go, or you won’t be allowed to leave.”

He spoke as if everything was within his control, as if he could demand whatever he wanted, and no one would dare defy him.

Odalys listened, her gaze growing even colder.

“You had your sights on Sophia before, and now you’ve turned them onto Freya. I’m curious, who exactly told you to shift your focus?” Odalys asked, her voice low and dangerous.

Her words landed with weight, reminding everyone of something important.

Perhaps someone had deliberately steered him toward Freya. After all, men usually only fixate on one person at a time.

It wasn’t common for someone like Rafael to suddenly change his target unless he was being influenced by someone else.

“I…” Rafael stammered, confusion flashing in his eyes.

He met Odalys’ gaze, and those crystal-clear, almond-shaped eyes seemed to have a strange, almost magnetic power. He felt as though they were sucking him in, making him want to confess all of his darkest thoughts.

His fear escalated, and he took an instinctive step back, only to wince in pain as he jarred his wound.

A groan of agony escaped his lips.

He clutched his chest, and blood seeped through his fingers.

The flow wasn’t fast, but it was steady, and if he didn’t stop it soon, he’d be in danger of bleeding out. Earlier, he’d noticed that this woman had some knowledge of medicine. She understood herbs and even seemed to take care with her cooking. The mushrooms she picked in the wild, after she cooked them, never made anyone sick. He suspected she had some kind of expertise, and now he felt desperate. “No matter what, I know you know how to treat wounds. You need to stop the bleeding right now, or if something happens to me, you’ll never leave this village,” Rafael said, his voice dark with menace.

Odalys simply stood there, hands casually resting behind her back, observing his pain with a detached expression.

Then, with a sudden movement, she reached out and pressed a finger to his wound.

“Ah!” Rafael screamed, his eyes rolling back in pain.

“Does it hurt? Good. This is the price you pay for harassing women. You can’t find a wife on your own, and yet you’ve set your sights on someone else. If you hadn’t hidden in the room, if she hadn’t walked in, you might have ended up dead by my hand.” Her words sent a chill through the air, but they were starkly true.

“You…” Rafael gasped, his chest heaving as he struggled to stay upright.

The pain in his side was almost unbearable. She had pinpointed the most vulnerable spot on his ribcage, and when she had pressed there, it felt as if his rib had snapped. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling the broken rib dig into the wound, and his eyes widened in terror.

“Look at me like that? You want me to be your wife, too?” Odalys raised an eyebrow, her smile barely concealing her amusement.

She had just poked him hard. To others, it seemed like a gentle touch, but she had targeted the most vulnerable spot on his ribs, and with a single jab, it broke.

The crack aligned perfectly with his injury, and he instinctively pressed the wound, realizing what had happened.

For a person like him, if she didn’t teach him a lesson now, who knew how many other women he’d harm in the future?

If she hadn’t been there today, she couldn’t even imagine what might have happened to Freya and the others.

The coldness in Odalys’ eyes deepened at the thought.

“You… You actually broke my rib?” Rafael grunted in pain. The room fell silent.

Odalys, with her arms crossed, stared at him indifferently.” Are you saying that I broke your rib with just one finger?” Her face was puzzled.

She raised a finger and gently poked his shoulder.

Rafael’s face turned pale as he tried to dodge, but with his injuries, he couldn’t react in time. A sharp pain shot through his shoulder.

“Really? Does this hurt?” Odalys asked, her tone flat, as if mocking him.

She poked Freya lightly, then Selah, asking, “Does it hurt?”

“He must have lost his mind wanting a woman so badly,” Freya said with a laugh.

She felt strangely relieved.

Seeing this man looking like he’d swallowed a fly, disgusted but unable to express it, was incredibly satisfying.

“Exactly! She poked me, too, and I didn’t feel a thing,” Selah said confidently.

What they didn’t know was that Odalys had really broken his rib and injured his shoulder. The pain Rafael was in was very real, and he now realized that this woman was far scarier than any ghost.

He coughed repeatedly, stepping back, his eyes wide with fear.

He wanted to run, but Francis and Stellan blocked his path. “Want to leave?” Odalys’s cold voice stopped him. “Then tell us why you were hiding in our room, and why you suddenly targeted Freya.

She approached him, holding her phone. “If you don’t talk, I’ll call the police. We’ve got a photographer, and lots of things are on video. You don’t want to get caught, do you?” Rafael’s mind was crumbling. His eyes shifted from rage to fear as he backed away, eventually collapsing to the floor. Odalys watched him panic, exactly as she wanted. She was pushing him to his breaking point, tearing down his last mental defenses.

“It was her,” Rafael mumbled, looking up at Odalys as if an idea had dawned on him. It seemed like he had been the one attacking, but in reality, he was walking straight into her trap.

The pain in his chest and shoulder reminded him that if he didn’t get treated soon, he would die. Perhaps death was the only way out now.

“Will you stop the bleeding if I tell you?” Rafael asked, his eyes filled with a desperate plea.

Normally, a stab wound wouldn’t cause such damage unless the blade had been laced with something. But now, he had no choice but to ask her for help.

Odalys’s voice was sharp with a hint of menace. “That depends on whether you’re telling the truth. If you’re just stalling, do you think we’ll sympathize with you?”

Rafael could hear the threat in her words.

His body went limp as he pointed in the direction where Group A was staying.

Chapter 184

Rafael’s finger pointed weakly toward the distance, but before he could speak, his eyes rolled back, and with a heavy thud, he collapsed to the ground.

“What’s going on? Did he die?” Stellan asked, completely stunned.

He quickly crouched down, and Francis followed suit. Both of them checked for signs of life by placing their hands near his nose.

“He’s still breathing. He’s probably just passed out,” Francis said, a touch of relief in his voice.

Odalys furrowed her brows slightly. She didn’t actually want him dead-she wanted to break him, push him into emotional collapse, force him into desperation, and finally crush his will.

Only then could they extract more useful information from him.

“He’s almost there,”she murmured, her voice cool and

measured as she walked over to him. “He’s lost too much blood. Let’s get him inside, stop the bleeding, and treat his wounds.”

“Got it.” Francis and Stellan hoisted Rafael up, and with a few careful steps, they carried him inside.

The rest of the crew didn’t dare to follow too closely, but the photographers exchanged puzzled glances.

“It’s like the screen’s gone black,” one of the photographers muttered, scratching his head in confusion.

Since Rafael had confessed, it seemed like something had malfunctioned. He checked the camera several times, but everything appeared fine. Another photographer was called over, only to find that his camera was malfunctioning too- both screens had gone completely black.

“This is strange… the cameras are working fine, but we can’ t record anything,” the second photographer said, bewildered.

The first photographer’s face darkened, as he muttered, This happened yesterday too. The cameras just suddenly stopped working, and when we powered them up again, everything seemed fine.”

“Do you think it’s happening again today?” the second photographer asked in a quiet, almost worried tone. Before they could discuss it further, the rest of the crew gathered around to try and fix the issue. No one followed Odalys and the others into the house.

“Well, it’s getting late. We should wrap it up for the day,” the director said, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Odalys and the direction she’d left.

Seeing the situation, the others breathed a sigh of relief and began to carry the equipment back.

The director, however, stood in front of Rafael’s door. He stepped inside and saw Odalys tending to Rafael’s wounds. He quickly reminded her, “We’ve got a malfunction with the equipment, so we’re wrapping up for the night.”

“Once you’re done with his injuries, head back to rest. Don’t wander off alone,” the director said, his voice laced with concern.

He was worried about something happening to the artists during filming; if anything went wrong, it would be his responsibility.

“Don’t worry, director. We’ll finish up and stick together on our way back. We won’t go off on our own,” Freya responded quickly, reassuring him.

Seeing that, the director didn’t say anything further. With a nod, he grabbed his walkie-talkie and left briskly.

As the crew relaxed, Odalys quickly attended to Rafael’s injuries.

“Odalys, why won’t his wounds stop bleeding? It’s been hours since he got injured. Why is it still flowing?” Freya asked in a low voice, excitement bubbling in her tone.

She felt a bit exhilarated.

Watching Rafael suffer like this, a sense of satisfaction filled her.

Every time she saw him in pain, she felt more at ease.

“I didn’t just use blood to draw a talisman on your palm?” Odalys gently tapped Freya’s nose with a playful smile, lowering her voice as she continued, “The talisman, soaked in blood, turned into a weapon that attacked him.

“This made his wound worsen. The more he treated it, the worse it became. It caused him to grow more restless and frantic-that’s exactly what I wanted. I needed him to beg for our help, then admit his malicious intent toward us.

“Otherwise, we wouldn’t have any evidence to hold him accountable.” Odalys whispered.

Freya’s eyes brightened as she listened.

“So, this means I’ve avoided a disaster with the blood?”

Freya touched her forehead. Honestly, after Odalys treated her, she didn’t even feel the pain anymore.

If Odalys hadn’t changed her bandages, she might’ve forgotten about the injury on her forehead.

“Yes, it’s been resolved.” Odalys replied softly.

If it weren’t for her inviting Freya into the room, the situation might have been much worse. But by having Freya go in voluntarily and get injured, it resolved the danger.

Otherwise, Rafael might have…

At the thought of that, Odalys’s eyes darkened with coldness.

“Did you really hurt him when you poked him earlier?” Selah asked curiously.

Odalys smiled without responding.

She had merely helped him stop the bleeding, but that didn’ t mean he wasn’t still in pain. Once the bleeding was stopped, the pain transformed into internal injuries, and it would only get worse for him.

“I’m going to use the bathroom,” Odalys said as she turned to walk into Rafael’s room.

When no one was paying attention, she drew a talisman and threw it into his room, taking control of the entire space.

But there was nothing valuable in the room.

“Now that the bleeding’s stopped, let’s go back and rest. He won’t die just yet,” Odalys murmured.

Stellan and Francis, hearing this, stood up and followed her.

The group walked outside into the quiet night of the mountain village. The moonlight spilled over the ground, casting long shadows that intertwined as their figures overlapped.

“The air here is really nice,” Selah said as she jogged ahead. Freya followed behind her, and Odalys was pulled along by her, while the two men trailed behind. Once they returned to their rooms, the men would go back to theirs as well.

“Odalys, is this it? Rafael pointed here and then just passed out,” Selah still felt unsettled.

Freya took out some alcohol and started spraying it around the room, disinfecting everything.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Odalys replied.

Selah and Freya’s eyes lit up, and they immediately climbed into bed, obediently lying down and getting ready to sleep.

They thought they’d be too scared to sleep after what had happened, but as soon as their heads hit the pillows, they fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Once they were asleep, Odalys quietly got up, slipped on a coat, and headed outside. She noticed that the light was still on in the old house not far away.

She raised her foot to approach, but as she did, she felt a presence watching her from the shadows.

“Who’s there?” Odalys turned around, alert.

She quickly walked up, and when she got closer, she saw a familiar figure-Percival. His tall frame stood firmly, his hands clasped behind his back, looking at her calmly.

“Percival? What are you doing here?” Odalys asked with a hint of joy, walking toward him.

Percival stood there, watching the smile spread across her face. He chuckled softly, then started walking toward her. “I saw you were in some danger, so I came to check on you.”

As he walked closer, Odalys instinctively reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Come with me,” she whispered, a mischievous look in her eyes.

Percival lowered his gaze at her pale, delicate hand that was gripping his wrist, letting her pull him forward. He followed her without resistance.

Their shadows, stretched long by the moonlight, intertwined on the ground as they walked side by side.

The frustration he’d been feeling inexplicably eased as they walked together.

“Even though I don’t know who in the production team decided to record the show here, I did discover something interesting,” Odalys whispered, lowering her voice. “I found out who handled the clothes from your family’s old house in the flowerbed.”

Percival’s eyes flickered with surprise when he heard her words.

“You know?” he asked in a low, hoarse voice.

♡

Chapter 185

Odalys lifted her chin slightly, a touch of pride in her smile as she spoke. “Of course, I sensed something the first day I entered the village.”

“You knew all along?” Odalys paused, a few seconds of silence lingering as she considered her next words.

Percival stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. His towering figure cast a shadow over her as he looked down at her, his voice low and steady. “Yes, I knew.

“But at first, I wasn’t sure if my father’s incident had anything to do with the clothes he made. However, after my father’s accident, he shut down the store in Crownridge and closed all his other chain stores. Even other members of his family mysteriously died.”

“We didn’t have any direct evidence, but the Stewart family had ordered their clothing from him, and aside from that, there was no other connection. So we kept it under wraps. But we’ve had them under surveillance the entire time,” Percival explained in a hushed tone.

Odalys listened, her surprise evident.

She knew Percival was a strategic mastermind, but she hadn’t realized he had been keeping such tight control over every aspect of the situation.

“So, when you saw I was here for the variety show, you came over?” Odalys asked softly, curiosity lacing her voice.

Percival met her gaze, his expression softening as he chuckled quietly. “You could say that.”

As they spoke outside, the old wooden door creaked open with a low “creak,” and the elderly man appeared in the doorway. His eyes widened as he saw Percival, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“Mr. Stewart…” The old man staggered toward Percival, his body trembling.

With a desperate cry, he dropped to his knees in front of Percival, his voice shaking as he begged. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that the clothes would indirectly cause your father’s death. I truly didn’t know.”

After his frank conversation with Odalys the night before, he had hardly slept.

He had been waiting for Odalys to come to him again, but to his surprise, it was not she who came, but Rafael, covered in blood, bruised and broken.

Rafael had been running around the house, in agony, screaming before collapsing. The old man realized at that moment that Odalys had been signaling him.

This man, Rafael, controlled everything in the village; until he was dealt with, everyone would remain in danger. When he saw Odalys force Rafael into unconsciousness, he had been watching from the shadows.

He watched in awe as Odalys managed everything with calm efficiency, controlling every aspect of the situation, even manipulating Rafael. It left him dumbfounded. He had never imagined she could do something like this.

“Let’s go inside and talk,” Percival said in a low voice, his tone firm.

He extended a hand to help the old man up. The old man, both startled and overwhelmed, accepted the offer, his mind racing.

In his eyes, the Stewart family had control over the business world, political power that could sway entire governments. For someone of his humble position to be in their presence was surreal.

“Alright… let’s go inside,” the old man muttered, still in disbelief.

It all felt so surreal.

He had been here for so many years, believing that his son was on the brink of death, and that there was no hope left for him. He had even decided that once his son passed away, he would end his own life as well.

But then Odalys appeared. Not only did she give him hope, but she also managed to neutralize the poison in his son’s body.

She was like a ray of light, forcefully breaking into the old man’s world and reigniting his will to live.

The old man welcomed Odalys and Percival inside. He tidied up the table and chairs, making sure everything was neat and clean before letting them sit down. Then, he brought out his treasured coffee for them to enjoy.

“Tell me everything that happened,” he said, his voice dark and commanding.

The old man recounted in detail the conversation from the night before with Odalys, recounting the specific moments she had asked him to remember. He handed over a piece of paper, on which he had sketched a drawing of the person who visited his shop.

“I never saw his face,” the old man said quietly. “When he came into the shop, he wore a hat and a mask. He was about 5’9″, and his build was quite lean. His voice was sharp, almost shrill.”

Percival’s fists clenched tightly, his expression hardening. He stared at the drawing intently, his mind already piecing the clues together.

“Did you see the driver of the truck when it exploded?” Percival’s voice was low, but his question carried a lethal edge.

“Yes, I’m certain,” the old man nodded firmly. “There was no one in the truck when it exploded. The driver’s seat was empty, and when the explosion happened, no one emerged.” Odalys, who had been quietly observing, gave Percival a thoughtful glance. Her mind was already working through the possibilities.

“What do you think?” Percival asked, meeting her gaze.

Odalys took a deep breath, then reached for her coffee, taking a small sip before speaking.

“It’s possible black magic was used to control the truck, causing the accident. The truck crashed into your father’s vehicle, causing the explosion, and then they placed the drunk man inside to make it look like a drunk-driving accident,” Odalys said softly, her tone measured and calm. She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. Normally, no one would willingly die for money, not in the way stories and movies portray. So, when the right person isn’t available, they use magic to make things happen. “Black magic?” Percival frowned, clearly intrigued but confused.

Odalys lightly tapped the armrest of her chair, her fingers tracing the wood as she explained. “Sometimes people are desperate. When they want something too badly, they take shortcuts, resorting to dark practices. Before, Sophia used a love spell that she burned into ashes and made Finnian consume, turning him into a puppet under her control. He didn’t even realize what he was doing.

“That’s also black magic,” she finished, her eyes sharp and calculating.

Percival’s face grew darker as he processed the

information. “I’ve already had Gu Qing start looking into Sophia’s use of talismans. I’m not sure if it’s connected to this, but we’ll find out.”

“Sophia’s burning of the talisman-I’ve already had Callum look into it. I’m not sure if it’s related to this matter,” Percival said in a low voice.

Odalys was a bit surprised.

She hadn’t expected that he had already started investigating it.

To outsiders, it might seem like nothing more than hype or coincidence, but no one had thought to trace where the talisman in her possession came from, or who had given it to her.

“Additionally, I’ve already secured the area outside the village. Once that man makes contact with the outside world, my people will immediately track and capture him,” Percival continued.

After hearing that, Odalys fell into deeper silence.

She hadn’t communicated with Percival directly, but it seemed their thoughts aligned almost perfectly.

She had set the trap for Rafael, hoping he would act out of desperation and try to contact the people behind him. From there, she could trace things back and find out who was pulling the strings.

And Percival’s actions were in perfect alignment with hers.

“You did well making him suffer today; it drove him to the brink of collapse. When he gets desperate, he’ll surely try to reach out to his backers. From there, we can follow the trail and catch them.”

“However, it’s been so many years, and we never thought to consider magic back then. So, the evidence we have is limited,” Percival continued.

Percival was highly intelligent, able to think critically and connect the dots even without full knowledge. He had managed to control every situation, even without being fully aware of it.

One could only imagine that if his health hadn’t deteriorated, the Stewart family would likely have become even more powerful by now.

Chapter 186

“Don’t rush. As long as Rafael starts moving, we won’t be at such a disadvantage. Also, I suspect there’s something off about the Love Spell Sophia received.”

“The Bennett family is in a precarious position right now. They want Sophia to work with Atlas to scheme against me and take the emerald pendant from me, but they’ve failed to consider involving anyone else to solve this issue.” “People who give her Love Spells are naturally involved in black magic. But, for some reason, they haven’t acted to help the Bennett family. This suggests that they might only be in contact with Sophia, or perhaps…?” Odalys’s voice trailed off thoughtfully.

“If that’s the case, then Sophia is more complicated than she looks,” she muttered under her breath.

“For years, Sophia has had a smooth ride in the entertainment industry, aided by the resources the Bennett family provided. Her popularity isn’t bad either. But since you returned to the Bennett family, her luck has begun to change,” Percival said, his voice grim.

He hadn’t been concerned with Sophia or the Bennett family, but Odalys had pointed it out to him, so he looked into it and unexpectedly discovered a pattern.

“We’ll talk more about this later,” Odalys said with a faraway look in her eyes.

She turned to look at the old man, who was standing there anxiously, his nervous energy practically vibrating off him. He froze when their eyes met, his panic palpable.

“I didn’t hear anything. I swear I didn’t hear anything,” the old man blurted, shaking his head frantically.

The more you know, the quicker you die.

The secrets of the wealthy are not meant for people like him to hear.

The fact that he wasn’t told to leave made him stand there, listening, growing more and more terrified by the second.

“It’s fine,” Odalys said with a sly smile. “After all, you can’t exactly spread what you’ve heard, can you?”

She had never been one to trust blindly. Her initial trust in him had been influenced by the talisman she had used to control him. If she ever discovered he was lying, she would have no hesitation in using more drastic measures.

So, for now, his silence would ensure his safety. If he spoke out, however, that would be the end for him.

“Take this phone. If anything comes up, I’ll contact you. Percival handed him a phone, his voice low and reassuring. The person threatening you won’t be able to touch your life.” “Yes, sir,” the old man said, hurriedly taking the phone.

He had expected Percival to come and take his life, but instead, this was the outcome.

The shock sent cold sweat down his back, his legs trembling as he stood frozen.

“Give me your hand,” Odalys suddenly instructed.

The old man blinked in confusion, extending his hand in uncertainty. He watched as Odalys grasped it, her fingers tracing upward along his hand. He felt a strange force pulling at him.

A groan escaped the old man’s lips, pain shooting through his hand, making his face contort.

The sensation intensified, as if something deep within his muscles and tendons was being tugged, making his wrist jerk uncontrollably. When she released her grip, the pain seemed to sharpen.

“Once the business is settled, your tendons will fully heal,” Odalys whispered, her voice soft but firm. “If you want it to heal completely, you’ll need to listen to us.”

She finished speaking and stood up, walking toward the door, Percival at her side.

The old man stood motionless, staring at his wrist in disbelief. He couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

“My tendons… they seem to have healed?” he said, awestruck.

His hands had been ruined; he hadn’t been able to make clothes for years, and it had seemed like the end for him. Now, his hands were moving again. Could it be possible? As he processed this, he looked up, only to see that Odalys and Percival had already walked away.

With a heavy heart, he fell to his knees with a loud thud, tears streaming down his face.

As Odalys and Percival walked under the moonlight, the road ahead was bathed in an ethereal glow. The cool night air carried a sense of calm, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. They just walked in silence.

“Do you believe what he said?” Odalys finally broke the quiet, her voice soft.

“Everything matches what I’ve found out through my own investigation,” Percival replied, his tone distant but confident. “It’s credible. Also, he has some connections with my grandfather. He wouldn’t have any reason to harm my father. Moreover, his family was practically wiped out like a warning to him.”

“That’s why I had people watching this village. I didn’t expect it to pay off after all these years,” Percival continued coldly, his mind clearly still racing with questions.

‘Who were the people behind all of this? What was their endgame? Why had they interfered with the clothes, only to vanish afterward?’ Percival thought.

“They’re rushing to kill my father. It might have something to do with the poison in me. If my father dies and I also die, my grandfather will be left alone, and the Stewart family will fall into their hands.” Percival’s voice grew colder, his resolve hardening.

Odalys let out a small sigh. “The Stewart family is rich and powerful, so it’s normal to be targeted.”

There was a brief pause as she stretched lazily, her body relaxing. For some reason, just being with Percival made her feel like the tension that had been building up inside her all day was starting to dissipate.

“Normally, competition in business is one thing, but if they want my whole family dead, that’s a different level,” Percival said, his voice low.

At that moment, he glanced at her with a look that suggested he was considering something.

“Sophia has been targeting you. Do you want me to have her dealt with?” he asked seriously.

Seeing how she had manipulated the situation on the variety show, falsely accusing Odalys and trying to frame her, it had crossed Percival’s line.

To him, Odalys was one of his own, a part of the Stewart family.

And Sophia, with her provocations, was challenging everything the Stewart family stood for. Everything she did only pushed them closer to the edge.

“Not yet,” Odalys replied, shaking her head. “Before, I got a piece of her hair and used a special method to see her past. When she was young, she had her skin scraped off, literally peeled back, and her face was completely changed.” “There’s a form of black magic called soul-swapping… I suspect she might have gone through that.

“She had her face swapped, and that’s when the Bennett family took her in. After that, they abandoned me. I don’t know what their connection is to her, but the Bennett family is definitely after her fate. We need to investigate who was behind her facial transformation.” Odalys’s voice dropped lower, a dark note creeping into her words.

She hadn’t shared this with him before.

“Facial transformation?” Percival’s expression shifted, his eyebrows furrowing.

He had heard of strange things happening in the world, but this was on another level of bizarre.

“Yes. After we finished the variety show, I killed the person pulling the strings behind Sophia. After that, she was affected, and her face began to change. When she got close to Finnian, she regained her original look.”

“Afterward, she used him for some sort of advantage.

Finnian lost something, and Sophia gained her original appearance. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.” Odalys paused, her eyes narrowing. “That’s why she gave Finnian the Love Spell, to control him. Even though he’s regained his sanity, he’s still being manipulated by her.” Percival listened silently, processing everything she said. After a moment, he spoke, his voice edged with concern. So, she used Finnian to get what she wanted, and now he’s under her control?”

“Exactly. And that’s why Sophia is so dangerous.” Odalys’s voice was steady, but the weight of what they were facing was evident in her words.

Chapter 187

Sometimes, no material possession is needed between people. A simple talisman is enough.

This was the terrifying power of black magic.

A careless person will inevitably fall victim to it.

“She keeps opposing you at every turn, making things difficult for you,” Percival said, his voice low and serious.

Odalys heard his words and let out a soft laugh, amused. She reached out, cupping his handsome face in her hands, and looked him in the eye. “What’s this? Are you worried she’s going to bully me?”

“I’ve already taught her a lesson. She’s covered in bruises and hasn’t dared make a sound since. Plus, with that giant snake crushing her, she’s been injured inside. By the time she’s done with the variety show and goes back, she’ll probably end up in the hospital. So, no matter how much she bothers me, what’s the worst that can happen?” Odalys said with a carefree smile.

Percival’s face, still held in her hands, flushed a little. His deep eyes flickered, avoiding her gaze as he turned his head away, his large hand instinctively tightening into a fist. “As long as you’re sure. But if you really can’t take it anymore, tell me. I’ll have someone take care of her, and you won’t have to endure her anymore.” Percival’s voice was low, but his concern was clear.

Odalys, not reading too deeply into it, just found Percival rather amusing. She held his face for a moment longer, thoroughly enjoying the moment. Little did she know, his heart was racing, thumping wildly under her touch.

“Alright, I got it,” she said, pulling her hands away.

She glanced down at their shadows, which crisscrossed on the ground, then playfully stepped on his.

Percival, noticing her little move, instinctively shifted his position, allowing her to step on his shadow with each step. He watched, amused, as she seemed to take great delight in this, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“By the way, how’s your grandfather doing? Is he alright?” Odalys suddenly asked, her thoughts shifting to Evander. She remembered the huge box of jewelry he had given her, which had touched her heart. Money didn’t move her, but gold-now that had a special place in her heart.

“He’s doing well. Ever since you treated his leg, he can’t sit still. When no one’s around, he gets up and tries walking, but it’s like he’s holding back, wanting to show off but can’t quite bring himself to,” Percival chuckled softly.

When it came to Evander, Percival found his behavior almost childish.

“Let him hold off a bit longer. After a few days, when I get back, I’ll publicly announce that I treated his leg, and we’ll say he’s fully recovered,” Odalys said with a faint smile. They continued chatting for a while, but suddenly, Percival moved ahead.

A car had pulled over to the side of the road. He opened the door and stepped out, holding a food container.

“I noticed you liked these when you were at the house, so I brought some over,” he said, his voice low and soft.

Odalys opened the food container and found it packed with chocolates on the top layer, her favorite meats on the second, and pastries on the third.

“Thank you!” Odalys’s eyes lit up at the sight. She had been craving them.

“I’ll take the stuff back and dump it out. You can take the container later, but don’t let anyone see it tomorrow. It could cause trouble,” Odalys said, quickly jogging back. Percival watched her run off, feeling a lightness in his heart.

Once Odalys had emptied the contents, she returned the container to him, whispering, “Thanks again.”

“It’s getting late. Are you going to rest?” Percival glanced at his watch and then asked quietly.

Odalys took a small step back, waving her hand at him. “I’m heading to bed now. You drive safely. Take it slow on the road.”

“I’ll watch you get home,” Percival replied, his voice firm, still standing where he was.

Odalys didn’t say anything further.

She turned and walked toward the door. As she entered the room, she saw that Percival was still standing there, watching her. When their eyes met, he waved his hand at her.

Just as she closed the door, Percival turned and got into his car, holding the food container.

Orson had been silently observing the whole time. When Percival got into the car, a mischievous smile crept across his face.

“I knew you were bringing chocolates along the way,” he said in a low voice.

During the drive, as Percival was handling some business, he had bought a large quantity of chocolates, which completely shocked Orson.

“That day when we were heading home, she saw some chocolates she liked. Grandfather had someone pick them for her to take back, but she left in such a hurry for the show that she forgot them. So, I brought them to her,” Percival said, his voice calm.

Orson was stunned.

This was such a small thing-normally, Percival wouldn’t have bothered with it. But now, he was making the effort to bring the chocolates to Odalys.

“You can’t even cover it up?” Orson teased, his tone tinged with a bit of sarcasm. “You could’ve just said it was a coincidence. No need to explain so much.”

“Why cover it up? I’m telling the truth. She liked them, and they were something she wanted,” Percival replied, his voice quiet but firm.

Orson fell silent, raising his hands in mock surrender.

“Alright, alright. You’re right. So, should we head back now?” Orson asked, still a little disoriented.

But Percival didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around the village thoughtfully before getting into the driver’s seat and driving off.

His car disappeared into the night, swallowed by the darkness, as if it had never been there at all.

That night, everyone slept soundly, unaware of what had passed.

The next morning, Selah and Freya nearly screamed when they opened the food container, startling Stellan, who immediately rushed out in his pajamas, a broom in hand. What’s going on?” he asked, his voice still groggy.

“Nothing, nothing!” Freya quickly stepped forward, gently pressing his hand away from the broom. “We’re just a little surprised, but nothing happened. You can put the broom down now.

Stellan looked down at his hand, still holding the broom awkwardly.

He quickly set it aside and stepped closer, eyes on the food. “Smells good, huh? Definitely Odalys’s doing,” Selah said, swallowing her saliva as she eyed the meat and pastries hungrily.

“Let’s go wash up first,” Freya said, pulling her away before she could steal a bite.

Stellan stared at the food thoughtfully, a hint of curiosity in his expression.

Later, as Odalys entered the room, Stellan looked up and immediately greeted her, “Good morning, Odalys!”

Odalys gave him a knowing look, stepping forward with the food and casually saying, “The neighbors sent it over. They must’ve noticed how hard we’ve been running around the woods.

“Are we going outside again today?” Stellan asked, following her lead.

Odalys set the food down and replied, “We’ll see. If it doesn’t rain, we might still have some tasks to complete.”

“Alright,” Stellan said, nodding.

As he went off to wash up, he noticed Francis was already up, something quite rare.

It seemed like he had been waiting for the right moment.

Chapter 188

The other members of Group A were still asleep, lost in their dreams.

Francis had finished washing up and kept glancing over toward the others. Finally, Odalys spoke up, “Want to join us for breakfast?”

Before she could even finish the sentence, Francis was already sprinting over, bowl in hand. The moment he saw the spread Odalys had prepared along with the food Percival had delivered yesterday, his mouth watered.

It was a feast, and everyone dug in, savoring the spread of delicacies.

“This is really good,” Selah said, chewing happily.

Freya quickly shoved a few pieces of chocolate into her mouth, saying, “I had no idea chocolate could taste this good. This is my first time trying this kind!”

“Same here,” Stellan added, agreeing with her.

Francis raised his hand in thanks. “Thanks, Odalys.”

The group chatted and laughed, but when they turned, they saw Finnian standing a little farther away, his gaze distant and filled with sorrow.

His eyes were fixed on Odalys with a bitter, almost helpless expression, like a child abandoned by his parents.

“Alright, let’s go,” Sophia’s voice interrupted the moment. Today, she seemed in a much better mood. She had changed into a pale yellow dress and wore a pair of sandals, showing off her freshly painted toenails. Her makeup was flawless, and the transformation from her previous disheveled state was stark.

Atlas stood with his arms crossed, his attention caught by the sight of Sophia. For a brief moment, something in his eyes shifted, an involuntary look of admiration flickering there.

“Sophia, let’s go. The weather’s nice today. I’m sure we’ll find something good,” she said with a sweet smile, the corners of her lips lifting slightly in a way that made her seem even more alluring.

Atlas’s heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, he stepped closer to her, reaching out to take the things she was carrying. “Alright, today I won’t let you go hungry,” he said, his tone warmer than usual.

“You’re so nice.” Sophia blushed, giving him a playful smile.

As she moved closer, she casually wrapped her arm around his, brushing against his chest as she did. It seemed like an innocent gesture, but there was no mistaking the deliberate intimacy in her movement.

Atlas’s body stiffened, but before he could react, Sophia’s eyes twinkled with mischief at his discomfort.

She was a master at flirting with men, drawing them in with just the right amount of ambiguity, making their hearts race and their minds wander. All she had to do was look innocent, and that was enough.

“Are you coming?” Atlas asked, turning his gaze to Finnian. He didn’t even look at Francis. Since last night, he had felt a strange animosity toward him.

Although they were in the same group, Francis had already eaten a meal from the next door while they had been left hungry. Seeing Francis now made him feel an inexplicable distaste. ‘Why should he get a meal when they didn’t?’

“Sure,” Finnian said, a bitter smile curling on his lips.

As Finnian moved to follow, he suddenly froze when Odalys’ gaze immediately caught his. His eyes lit up, he stood up in anticipation, but he quickly suppressed it, trying to keep his feelings hidden.

“Sophia,” her voice rang out clearly, catching everyone’s attention.

The entire group looked up in surprise.

Everyone knew that Odalys and Sophia had never gotten along, and Odalys had always refused to even acknowledge her.

But now, she was calling her out by name.

The director, sensing something brewing, immediately signaled the camera crew to zoom in on Odalys and Sophia, capturing the moment.

“What is it?” Sophia asked, her voice betraying a trace of unease as she stepped forward, her gaze flickering nervously.

Atlas immediately moved to stand protectively behind her, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Odalys, who was walking toward them with a cold, determined stride.

Without realizing it, Atlas took a half-step back.

“You don’t think that just because I didn’t deal with you last night, everything is over, do you?” Odalys’s voice was sharp and frosty.

Sophia shivered involuntarily at the coldness in her tone.

Her hand clenched tightly around the fabric of her dress, the weight of Odalys’s words sinking in. Something inside her screamed in fear, as if her dirty little secrets were about to be exposed.

“Odalys, what are you talking about?” Sophia’s eyes

narrowed, her voice rising with anger. “I know you’ve never liked me, but does that mean you have to humiliate me in front of everyone?”

Her face flushed red with rage as she stormed past Atlas and stopped right in front of Odalys.

She tilted her chin up defiantly, but her eyes were filled with unshed tears. A few quick blinks, and the tears spilled over, tracing down her pale cheeks.

With a sad, almost rehearsed smile, she looked up at the camera, allowing the lenses to capture the perfect image of her vulnerability.

Sophia said, “You always find ways to make my life difficult. You’ve teamed up with others to isolate me, right? You just wanted to use this show to destroy me. Now, I’m barely holding it together, and you still won’t leave me alone. Why? What do you want from me?”

Her voice cracked as she continued, “Is this some kind of punishment? Are you trying to pin things on me again? Do you want me to break down completely?”

Her words were full of sorrow, and the melancholy in her voice made it seem as if she was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

Several staff members, who were watching, exchanged sympathetic glances, and even some of them seemed ready to speak up on her behalf.

But Odalys was unfazed.

She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “If you were this good at acting, you might have a real future in it. But you’ve got your focus all wrong,” she said, her tone full of mocking amusement.

She stepped forward, towering over Sophia, whose height of 5’3″ made her seem small and insignificant compared to Odalys, who stood at 5’6″.

The difference in their heights, combined with Odalys’s natural confidence, caused a sudden, overwhelming pressure on Sophia.

Sophia instinctively took a step back, trying to create some distance, but the pressure on her was immense.

Odalys said, “You remember yesterday when we went out? After Finnian and Francis had left, you made sure to lead Atlas away on purpose. You went to find Rafael in the village, made a deal with him, and even provided him with a phone to set up in our room.

“You wanted him to take advantage of Freya, record the video, and then use it against her. You planned to ruin Freya’s reputation, force her into marriage with Rafael, and manipulate her into having his children.

“You wanted her out of the way so you could steal her resources and destroy her career. Am I right?” Odalys’s voice rang out with conviction, each word cutting through the air.

Everyone froze in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief as they turned to stare at Sophia.

Sophia’s face, which had been pale with rage just moments ago, drained of color. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head in panic, her lips trembling as she tried to deny it. How did Odalys know about this? She had been so careful. There was no way anyone could have seen what she had done. No one knew about her secret plan. No one could have figured it out.

‘No, Odalys was lying. She was trying to deceive me, Sophia thought.

Chapter 189

“It looks like I wasn’t wrong after all. You’re trying to smear me again, Sophia. You’re trying to destroy me before the show ends. Why, Odalys? What do you stand to gain from ruining me?” Sophia’s chest heaved with ragged breaths.

Her eyes were red, and she kept wiping away the tears that fell down her cheeks.

“It’s her! I knew someone had been targeting me!” Freya’s voice rang out in disbelief, her face turning pale before it quickly transformed into fury.

With an angry stride, she rushed forward and slapped Sophia across the face.

“The sharp sound echoed in the air, and the force of the blow made Sophia stumble backward, falling to the ground. Her beautiful new dress was instantly soiled with mud. Sophia, still in shock, scrambled to her feet, her fury boiling over.

She wanted to charge at Freya, but before she could, Odalys was there in a flash. Grabbing her by the arm, she yanked her up, only to throw her back down with a swift motion. Sophia couldn’t regain her balance and fell hard onto the ground again.

The pain shot through her, and she screamed in agony.

Atlas, his heart clenched with concern, rushed forward, immediately shielding Sophia and helping her up.

His teeth gritted as he barked, “Odalys, are you crazy? What the hell is wrong with you? Are you violent, or are you suffering from some sort of manic episode? What did we ever do to deserve this?”

Odalys stood still, a bitter smile spreading across her face as she looked at them with contempt.

“Fine, enough with the drama,” she said coolly, her voice almost mocking. “Let me show you the evidence.”

As she spoke, Sophia’s stomach sank.

The group stared in disbelief at Odalys, who suddenly pulled out an iPad and flipped the screen towards them, casually saying, “Could you zoom in the camera, please?” Sophia’s heart sank. She immediately shouted, “No, no! Don’t do it!”

Sophia knew Odalys too well. She would never make empty threats, and the fact that she was acting this way meant one thing: she had evidence. But despite racking her brain, she couldn’t figure out how.

Before she could charge forward, Francis and Stellan exchanged a quick glance. They rushed toward her, shoving Atlas aside. The two men moved swiftly, grabbing Sophia by the shoulders, pinning her in place so she couldn’t move a muscle. She was trapped.

Odalys’ voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “The night I saw Rafael sneaking around with her underwear, I was afraid he might do something worse.”

She paused, as if savoring the moment. “We had no internet connection here, no phones or iPads to communicate with the outside world. So, I placed my iPad up near the old man’s house, under some makeshift rain cover. I also hid my phone right by the front door, and-well, guess what? I caught something.”

Sophia’s pulse quickened as Odalys spoke with that effortless confidence. The more nonchalant Odalys seemed, the more frantic Sophia became. She stared, frozen, as Odalys clicked on the video.

On screen, after everyone had left, Sophia was seen standing in the yard, glancing nervously toward the neighboring house.

As Atlas approached, she pretended to have stomach cramps and sent him to ask the crew for medicine. Without suspicion, Atlas left.

With no one around, no cameras in sight, Sophia darted across to Rafael’s house.

Inside, Rafael was sipping cereal, but his face lit up the moment he saw her. She rushed forward, and before she could even react, he pulled her onto his lap, bending down to kiss her.

“Wait,” Sophia gasped, pushing him away.

Pulling back, she put on a slightly disgusted expression but lowered her voice. “You know, there’s a woman in our group who seems like a rich girl. Her family’s well-connected, and she’s loaded. Ever thought about tying her down? Maybe get her pregnant and keep her here, in the village?”

Sophia’s words hung in the air like poison. Rafael’s eyes gleamed. “She’d actually stay?”

Rafael wasn’t convinced. Looking at the women in the group, it was clear to him they were all out of his league. He was painfully aware of his own limitations, the ‘low-life’ he used to be, barely getting by with whatever work he could find until he landed in the village.

Sophia continued with a smirk, “All you have to do is get her to sleep with you, record a video, and I’ll hold onto that. Once her family sees it, her reputation will be ruined. She’ll have nowhere else to go but here. You won’t just get a wife, you’ll get ten, maybe even twenty kids!”

The idea made Rafael hesitate for a moment, then he shoved her away.

Despite Sophia’s allure, Freya was the one who truly caught his attention. Her smile, the way her eyes sparkled with energy-it made his heart race, something he never thought would happen.

“But how would I get to her? She never leaves her friend’s side. That Odalys woman is always with her. “Rafael muttered, still shaken by the memory of Odalys’s brutal kick.

Sophia’s eyes glinted with something dangerous. “She might not leave her friend, but she still goes back to her room alone. You just need to hide there. She’s got this thing about cleanliness, so when she comes back, she’ll want to change. That’s when you make your move.

Sophia pulled out her phone, holding it up in front of him. Take this. Go to her room, set the phone up in the corner, and just let it record.”

Rafael eyed the phone, quickly draining his cereal and wiping his mouth. “You’d better not be lying to me,” he grumbled, snatching the phone from her hand and storming out of the room.

Once outside, he saw that the coast was clear.

His mind raced as he imagined Freya’s image in his head. He felt like he was floating, rushing to Group B’s house. After checking for any signs of life, he snuck into the girls’ room.

The moment the video played, the room exploded in shock. Everyone’s minds went blank. Even Atlas, who had been in denial, stood frozen.

“How could this be?” Atlas whispered, his voice shaky. Sophia wouldn’t do this. This video must be fake.”

But there was no mistaking it. The video was raw, unedited, and real.

Sophia’s face turned pale. “What is this? Odalys, you’re using fake videos to trap me?”

She tried to charge at her, but Stellan and Francis quickly grabbed her, holding her back.

The shock was too much for everyone. They had been so confused about Rafael’s strange behavior last night, wondering why the situation had suddenly quieted down. They had all assumed the matter was over.

But what they didn’t realize was that Odalys had been quietly waiting for the perfect moment to expose Sophia. “Fake video, huh?” Odalys suddenly pulled out another phone. “Then explain this.'”

She held the phone high, so everyone could clearly see the screen.

Chapter 190

As the camera zoomed in on the phone, many people instantly recognized the case-everyone who had seen Sophia’s photos or knew her well could tell it was hers. [Damn, this bitch. She’s the ultimate of all bitches.] [I’ve been wondering why no one mentioned Freya’s incident after last night. I thought it was just part of the script, but turns out it’s all connected to Sophia.] [This is explosive! Odalys is practically clairvoyant.]

[If Odalys hadn’t done the Star reading, would Freya have ended up in trouble? Odalys, you’re a lifesaver. You’re Freya’s hero.]

[Sophia needs to get out of the entertainment industry.]

[How did she manage to place the iPad and phone so perfectly in position? Is she some kind of psychic?] [That phone case is definitely Sophia’s. I have her pictures- she’s always using that exact phone case.]

[Francis and Stellan are a perfect duo. Their coordination is so on point, they just jumped in and restrained her, so cool.

It wasn’t just the crowd in the room that was stunned- online viewers were equally shocked. No one expected such a bombshell this early in the morning, especially not one that involved such a dramatic public confrontation. “You didn’t want to speak earlier, so I guess this phone isn’t yours after all. Maybe I misunderstood,” Odalys said, her tone dripping with feigned regret. “I found this phone when Freya was injured, and I went into her room. At the time, I didn’t know whose it was, so I just picked it up.

Odalys looked down at the phone with a slow, deliberate motion. “I guess it’s not yours, so I’m left with no choice but to open it and see what’s inside-check the photos, and any other clues. That way, we can identify the owner,” she continued sweetly, with a hint of mockery in her voice.

Her finger tapped the phone screen lightly, and Sophia’s face turned ashen.

Sophia was stunned, but she wasn’t panicking yet.

After all, her phone was locked with a password and fingerprint. Odalys couldn’t get into it.

As long as she denied ownership, no one could prove it was her phone.

Sophia silently breathed a sigh of relief-but before she could think further, Odalys swiftly swiped the screen, the device flashing to life. Within moments, she had opened WhatsApp.

“No!” Sophia screamed, her eyes wide in horror. “That’s my phone! You can’t look at my WhatsApp messages!”

In a fury, she lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone back.

But Odalys raised the phone high above her head, her face a picture of confusion as she spoke sweetly, “Didn’t you just say this wasn’t your phone? How is your hand now in our room, then? And by the way, there’s a video here, one filmed right in our room. It’s the one where Rafael tried to hurt Freya. The moment he attacked her, he said something about ‘she didn’t lie to me after all.”

Odalys took a step closer, holding Sophia’s phone as she used it to tilt her chin upward, the mocking tone in her voice sharp as she asked, “And who exactly is ‘she’ in Rafael’s words? Also, the video clearly shows you sitting on Rafael’s lap. If it’s not you, then who else could it be? Don’t tell me this was all just some scene directed by the producers, setting you up for some flirty moment with Rafael?”

Every word felt like a dagger, each one cutting deep into Sophia’s composure. Her face twisted with anger and hatred, but she couldn’t say anything.

“Enough, Odalys!” Atlas finally snapped. He was starting to realize the gravity of the situation.

He hadn’t expected Sophia to pull something like this.

Freya’s background was unknown to most, but she had strong resources, and there was definitely someone powerful behind her. Offending Freya wouldn’t end well for the Bennett family.

Now, by attacking her, Sophia had just made herself a target and possibly even put the Bennett family in a precarious position.

“Oh, it’s more than enough. Only a fool like you would let yourself be manipulated by her,” Odalys shot back, her voice dripping with disdain. “What right do you have to shout at me? You’re the one who’s blind. You’ve been hugging her and thinking she’s this pure, innocent girl. But look-there she is, sitting on Rafael’s lap, letting him kiss her. She’d rather be kissed by him than you. Does that not bother you? Or have you forgotten how sweetly she called your name when you held her?”

Odalys’ words were like poison, and every one of them made everyone in the room feel like applauding.

Freya, watching Odalys with wide eyes, felt an overwhelming sense of admiration for her. She almost wanted to run up and ask for advice.

“You…” Atlas seethed, his teeth clenched, but his voice faltered. He was too shaken by what Odalys had exposed. He couldn’t look away from the memory of seeing Sophia on Rafael’s lap, and it tore him apart. ‘Why has it all changed? Why has everything become so twisted? She hasn’t been like this before.’

“Don’t rush,” Odalys continued, her tone light as ever. “Let me see what’s inside her WhatsApp messages first.”

The crowd, now leaning in, was practically salivating with anticipation. They didn’t care about privacy anymore-they just wanted to see the drama unfold. Everyone was curious about what might be in the messages.

Odalys glanced over at Stellan, then at Francis, giving them a silent signal. The two of them, in perfect synchrony, loosened their grip on Sophia’s shoulders as Odalys swiped open WhatsApp.

Sophia, seizing the opportunity, broke free from their hold and dashed forward, snatching the phone out of Odalys’ hand.

“Odalys, you dare look at my WhatsApp?” Sophia’s voice was filled with rage.

As she clutched the phone to her chest, the room fell completely silent.

She looked around, meeting the gaze of everyone there, and realized, too late, that she had fallen into Odalys’ trap.

Ever since yesterday, she had been distracted, planning on how to retrieve her phone.

She’d intentionally dressed up, hoping to lead everyone outside, then pretend her clothes got dirty so she could sneak back and get the phone while Odalys and the others were gone.

But Odalys had caught her off guard. Instead of waiting for her to make a move, she had already set the trap in motion -filming the whole thing.

Sophia couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Has Odalys been watching me the entire time? How has she managed to position the iPad and phone so perfectly without anyone noticing?’

Frustration bubbled inside her. Why had it all gone wrong? But now, no matter how much she tried to lie, it was already too late.

“Help me!” she cried out desperately, but it was too little, too late.

At that very moment, Rafael had woken up. The pain from his injuries was unbearable. Although the bleeding had stopped, the agony was worse than before-his skin felt as if it were being torn apart, and a constant itch gnawed at him, but he couldn’t pinpoint where.

He felt like he was living in hell.

The first thing he did when he regained consciousness was search for Odalys.

She had saved him once before, and she might have a way to help him again.

He pushed through the crowd, stumbling towards Odalys, but what he saw made his blood boil. Odalys had Sophia in her grasp, dragging her toward him and shoving her into his face.

“Sophia said she didn’t come to see you yesterday,” Odalys said with a casual smile.

Rafael was confused, but not stupid. He’d suspected something from the beginning.

This woman had been in trouble, and he feared offending Odalys.

His anger reached its peak. He stormed forward and grabbed Sophia by the skirt, yanking her toward him.

“Didn’t come to see me? Damn it, look at what you’ve done to me!” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “It’s all your fault. You seduced me, made me do that to that woman. You said she was a rich second-generation, that we could trap her and keep her in the village to have kids for me.”

お金金

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714 or Buy Me Coffee

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡ Prev 🔙⏮️ | 👉⏩Next