Betrayed, Yet Bound To The Billionaire by Grace Madeline (Chapters 221 to 230)

Chapter 221

Stellan was silent.

The anxiety he had been feeling melted away the moment he heard Francis’ tears. It was as if the tension had been washed away.

Two hours later, the plane touched down.

A luxurious RV slowly pulled up, and Stellan strode toward it, getting inside. Just as he was about to close the door, it jammed. He turned in confusion.

“You?” he asked, his expression cool, a flicker of disbelief crossing his features.

Francis stepped in, throwing her luggage aside, wrapping her arms across her chest, and sinking into the seat. Within moments, she was asleep.

“Wait, we’re coming too.”

Freya and Selah squeezed their way in, slamming the door shut behind them.

“What is this?” Stellan’s lips moved, his eyes flicking uneasily between them. “I have things to do… I can’t take you all.”

Freya, with her pale, delicate face, flashed him a

mischievous smile and winked. “We don’t need a ride, but didn’t Odalys say your dad’s in trouble? We’re coming along to see if we can help.”

Selah nodded in agreement.

“Right. The more people, the better. Go on, drive! We’re running out of time,” she urged, nudging Stellan toward the driver’s seat.

Stellan had not expected this, but after a brief moment of hesitation, he gave in and quickly moved to the driver’s seat, revving the engine and speeding off.

“Odalys, we just landed. We’re in Stellan’s car, heading back now,” Freya said, dialing Odalys’ number and putting the call on speaker.

On the other end of the line, Odalys’ voice was calm but sharp.

“Have you made contact?”

They glanced at Stellan, who shook his head. “No, can’t get through. The phone’s out of service, and we checked the cameras. The car left, but it hasn’t been seen since.”

A heavy silence settled over them, mixed with worry and curiosity.

‘Could it really be like Odalys said? Has something gone wrong?’ they wondered.

“Give me their number,” Odalys said quietly.

She held the phone with her shoulder, rummaging through her bag for an iPad. Her fingers flew across the screen with a smooth, practiced rhythm. After a few moments, she spoke again, her voice lower now.

“Go to Crownridge East District, near the overpass. There’s a sloped area to the left.”

She tapped the screen once more, studying the flashing red dot. A flicker of something darker passed across her eyes. “Percival.” She said his name softly.

Percival, who had been sitting beside her, remained still, silent, and attentive. He didn’t interrupt. When he heard his name, he glanced over at her. She raised her chin slightly.

“Look at this location,” Odalys murmured, turning the iPad toward him.

Percival leaned over, his tall frame close to hers, as he studied the screen. His voice was low, barely a whisper. “Do you need me to send someone to help?”

“There’s no time. I suspect someone tampered with the car. It lost control, broke through the guardrail, and went down into the trees on the slope. If possible, could the Lark family arrange for an ambulance to head over first?” Odalys replied quietly.

In the front seat, Orson had been pretending to rest, but his ears were alert.

As soon as he heard his name mentioned, he turned and nodded sharply. “Got it. Send me the location.”

“Near the overpass in East District, by the sloped woods,” Odalys confirmed.

Orson gave her an “OK” signal and murmured, “Understood.” After exchanging a few more words with the others, Odalys spoke again, her tone calm but urgent. “I’ve arranged for an ambulance. It should be on its way. You go ahead.”

The line fell silent for a moment.

As soon as Odalys had spoken Percival’s name, everyone in the car fell still, holding their breath.

“Freya?” Odalys asked when she heard nothing from the other side of the line. The silence felt unnatural.

It took a few moments before Freya responded, her voice faint. “We’re here, we’re here.”

“Do you have the location?”

Selah immediately chimed in. “Got it. We’re on our way. The airport’s close, so we should be there in about 30 minutes.” “Alright, I’ll hang up now. Call me when you arrive.”

Odalys hung up the phone and glanced at her WhatsApp. As soon as the plane landed, Stellan sent her a transfer of 1.5 million dollars.

Earlier, when she’d given him the talisman, she’d mentioned a fee, but hadn’t specified the amount.

To her surprise, he had remembered and transferred the money immediately after landing. She stared at it but didn’t accept the transfer.

The silence on the other end of the call was unsettling. It

felt like they were afraid of hearing something they shouldn’t.

The Stewart family was untouchable-its influence stretched across the globe, controlling the world’s financial power and political affairs.

They were a force no one dared cross, and though they had retreated from the public eye, they were still at the top of the business world.

Their reach was so vast, it was like an army-people didn’t need the Stewart name to follow their orders.

“I didn’t just hear that, did I?” Selah whispered, her voice trembling.

She sat back, her mind racing as she muttered, “Did Odalys just call him… Percival?”

“Percival… Could it be the one I think it is?” Francis, who had been quietly resting, suddenly sat up, his body stiff, breaking into a cold sweat. The mention of the name shook him to his core.

The mention of the name shook him to his core.

Freya, deep in thought, held her phone tightly. A soft, worried whisper escaped her lips. “So, Odalys is married to him?”

The realization made her heart tighten in her chest. “Only the Stewart family could pull strings like this- arranging us a private line straight back to Crownridge, setting up a VIP route to avoid the crowds, and sending us directly to the outskirts. No one else has this kind of power,” Selah said, her voice low with a mix of awe and fear.

Even with money, such arrangements were rare and needed approval from multiple sources.

This sudden VIP treatment, however, seemed to have been arranged effortlessly.

The atmosphere in the car grew tense.

“Whoever this ‘Percival’ is, we need to keep quiet. Don’t say a word about this. We don’t want to cause any trouble for Odalys,” Selah warned, her voice firm and serious.

Francis nodded quickly. Who would dare say anything about this? Only someone seeking certain death.

Stellan, driving, was stunned. He hadn’t expected this, but it made sense now. No wonder the Porsche Cayenne earlier had seemed so out of place. Odalys and the Stewart family were connected in ways he hadn’t imagined.

His car veered off course, following the route Odalys had given.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed in the air. Stellan saw a car speeding off the overpass, plunging downward with terrifying force, and the sound of it hitting the ground reverberated in his ears.

The car screeched to a halt as Stellan slammed on the brakes.

Everyone in the car was startled, their eyes snapping toward the source of the noise, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

Chapter 222

The car plummeted, crashing to the ground, rolling violently before slamming into a tree with a deafening “bang,” wedged there.

“Damn, no way…” Francis cursed under his breath, his shock quickly turning to urgency.

The group immediately leapt out of the vehicle, rushing towards the wreckage. Stellan’s heart dropped as he caught sight of the license plate. His eyes widened in shock as he shouted, “It’s my dad’s car.”

He hadn’t anticipated that Odalys’ warning of “it’s too late” would be so terrifyingly true.

No wonder she’d insisted on a private jet, sending them back immediately. The crash site was close to the airport, and they had arrived just in time.

The realization hit Stellan hard, and his eyes watered with a mixture of guilt and helplessness.

If they’d taken the flight the production team had arranged, they’d have been too late.

“Move!” Francis threw his bag inside the car, sprinting ahead with his long legs, taking the lead.

As they neared the wreck, the car door was suddenly kicked open, and a woman was violently shoved out, her blood-soaked body collapsing onto the ground.

“Dangelo!” she screamed weakly, her hands covered in blood as she tried helplessly to pull the man out. But it was no use, his body was trapped inside.

“Mom!” Stellan cried, rushing to her side.

When he saw his mother, her usually pristine appearance shattered, covered in blood, her wealthy facade gone, she was kneeling, frantically trying to claw her way back to the car. Stellan sprinted forward and pulled her away from the wreck.

Hearing his voice, the woman, disoriented, thought she might be imagining things.

Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes locked onto her son. It’s okay now,” she whispered, letting him pull her to safety. “Stellan? Is it really you? Please, please save your father!” Sienna trembled, her voice cracking as she pointed toward the car.

Just then, the car jolted forward.

Everyone froze, watching in disbelief as it began rolling again.

Francis rushed forward, trying to stop the car, but his hands grasped nothing but air. The car continued its descent, spilling gasoline as it tumbled down the slope. Stellan felt the weight of dread fill the air, hearing his father’s name echo in his head. Regret began to seep in, but it hadn’t fully overwhelmed him yet.

Then, the world shook with a deafening “boom.”

The explosion reverberated through the sky, sending them flying backward, knocking them off their feet. But Selah still held onto her phone, clutching it tightly, her voice trembling, “Odalys.”

On the other end, Odalys heard the blast, her eyes narrowing as she froze, her finger hovering over her iPad screen. After a long pause, she murmured, “I understand.”

“It’s true… the explosion,” Selah whispered, sinking to the ground in shock. “Some fates… You can’t avoid them.”

On the other end, Odalys’ voice was calm and measured.” Selah, listen to me. You need to get Stellan to use the talisman I gave him. Place it on his father’s body.”

Selah quickly scrambled to her feet.

The car had exploded, the shattered glass flying everywhere, cutting everyone with sharp shards. Selah. Rushed to Stellan, grabbing him by the shoulders, shaking him.

“Odalys said the talisman. The one she gave you,” Selah urged.

Stellan, confused, stared at her for a moment. When the word “talisman” clicked in his mind, he began rummaging through his bag, his hands trembling as he pulled out the talisman Odalys had given him. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the wreckage.

“Stellan, don’t go!” Sienna screamed, but it was too late. She was too injured to stop him. She watched helplessly as he rushed toward the car, talisman in hand, ready to save his father.

But just as he reached the car and began to try and place the talisman on his father, the car exploded once more.

The force of the second blast was overwhelming. Everyone’s eyes widened in horror as they watched Stellan’s figure consumed by flames.

Selah collapsed to the ground, still holding the phone, unable to tear her gaze away.

“Selah…” Odalys heard the sound and called out to her. Selah snapped back to reality, her face pale.

“Second explosion… Stellan was in the car…” Selah’s words trembled with pain. “He’s… He might be gone…”

The weight of her words hung heavily in the air. Stellan, a friend she’d grown close to during their time filming, had been taken from them. She didn’t know how to process it. “Freya,” Francis called, suddenly noticing that Freya had collapsed, her face pale with shock as she stared at the wreck.

He rushed to her, but she grabbed his wrist with surprising strength, her eyes wide with something else. “I saw… I saw a golden light,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “A golden light?” Francis was confused, still processing the explosion.

Freya didn’t answer. Instead, she dashed toward the wreckage, her eyes focused on something beyond the flames.

As she reached the site, she saw Stellan, emerging from the car, cradling a bloodied Dangelo in his arms.

“What… what is this?” Francis stammered, watching in disbelief as Stellan approached, still clutching the talisman in his hand, his grip firm despite the shock.

“Ambulance is here,” Selah murmured, noticing the sirens in the distance.

She looked back to see the paramedics rushing to Sienna, who was being loaded into the ambulance.

The doctors ran toward Stellan, who handed over Dangelo with a look of disbelief. The doctor’s face contorted in surprise when they saw the state Dangelo was in. “After an explosion… and falling from such a height… It’s a miracle he’s still alive.”

From the overpass to the explosion and now this moment, they had all thought Dangelo was surely dead, but to their shock, there was still a pulse.

“Who’s the family member?” the doctor asked urgently.

Stellan stood frozen for a moment, his mind still reeling. Then, shaking himself out of his daze, he quickly followed, looking back at Francis. “Thank you. For everything.”

“Drive them back for me,” he said quickly, as he followed the doctors toward the ambulance.

His hand was still tightly gripped by the talisman. Despite the damage to it-burned to a crisp-he couldn’t believe it.

The talisman had protected them, shielded them from the worst of the blast.

If he hadn’t believed Odalys, his father would have been turned to ash.

Stellan pulled out his phone with trembling hands, his finger moving across the screen to find Odalys’ contact. He typed two simple words: [Thank you.]

There was nothing more he could say. His heart was full, yet words failed him.

Perhaps everyone had underestimated Odalys’ power. She had never flaunted her abilities, and yet, in this moment, it was clear she was far beyond anyone’s comprehension. “Odalys is incredible,” Selah whispered in awe.

Chapter 223

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have imagined how shocking the scene could be.

The timing was impeccable-their arrival was perfect. synchronized, and the ambulance appeared just in time. Had it not been for Odalys, even if they had called for help, it would have taken a while for the ambulance to arrive. By that time, the person would have already bled out and died. “She really is like a prophet, calmly arranging everything in advance,” Francis said, his gaze full of complexity.

Freya stood there, watching the vehicle, her eyes following the ambulance as it drove away.

“Right! It must be the talisman. Didn’t Odalys give Stellan a talisman? Could the golden light we saw earlier have come from it? The second explosion happened, yet Stellan didn’t seem hurt.” Freya was practically bursting with excitement. She desperately wanted to meet Odalys right now.

“Probably. I wish I had asked her for one, too.” Francis said, a trace of regret in his voice.

To survive such a crash and explosion-imagine how powerful that talisman must be. If he had one, maybe he wouldn’t have to worry about someone targeting his organs. “Wait, Odalys hung up?” Selah snapped back to reality.

She noticed the call had been disconnected without them realizing.

The three of them exchanged glances, and when they turned around, they realized a crowd of reporters had gathered behind them. It seemed they had all arrived at just the right time.

“Should we go back, or head to the hospital?” Francis asked, holding the keys to Stellan’s RV. He was responsible for driving them back to the city now.

“Let’s go to the hospital. I want to see what happens next. Besides, my family’s fine.” Freya said quickly.

Selah nodded in agreement. “I’ve canceled my contract. I don’t need to report back to the company. Just depends if you have time.”

“I can’t go back to my place either, afraid that woman might show up. Let’s go to the hospital then.” Francis said.

The group put on masks, looking rather disheveled, and climbed into the car. They drove off, following the ambulance toward the hospital.

*****

In the mountains, on the road.

A black Porsche Cayenne sped down the road. Odalys lowered her eyes, still lost in thought as she stared at her iPad. When Percival handed her a glass of water, she took it with a murmured “Thank you.”

After taking a sip, she looked up and noticed they were heading back. Surprised, she met Percival’s eyes and asked, “How did you know I was coming back?”

She had been so absorbed in her work inside the car that she had forgotten to speak to him.

Percival watched her as she glanced back and forth between her iPad and the phone call. After she seemed to finish her call, she finally took a breath.

He studied her closely-her fair skin was flushed with tension, but her clear, confident eyes were steady. He felt a strange sensation flash across his chest, but before he could grasp it, it vanished.

“You’re not the type to leave things unfinished. Since you had me book a special line to send the crew away, and you didn’t get on the plane, I guessed you wanted to return to the village,” Percival said, his voice low.

Odalys raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning more inquisitive. “Before I left, I gave Rafael a little lesson. Now he’s in a state of panic. After I’m gone, he’ll definitely be lost,” she said calmly. “With the injuries he has, he can’t go out for help. And, because he’s afraid of becoming… well, you know, he won’t dare contact anyone outside.”

“If we go back now, we should be able to find something,” Odalys added in a soft tone.

Percival listened to her, hearing amusement in her voice. His own chuckle was almost silent, though he still asked in a hoarse voice, “So, to avoid becoming…?”

Callum and Orson both leaned forward, eager to catch every word.

Odalys didn’t hide anything. “I used some… other methods. on him. He’s injured in several places, and it’s left his body in an unusual state.”

“I’m sure he’ll question what I said. That rebellious mindset will lead him to try contacting others, despite my warnings. Just in time, the medicine I gave him kicked in, and now he’s in unbearable pain,” she explained in a low voice. Percival’s brow furrowed, and after a long pause, he asked cautiously, “Your medicine… it targets a man’s private parts, causing unbearable pain, making him think that if he doesn’t listen, he’ll really end up… castrated?”

“Exactly,” Odalys said with a smile.

Percival’s fingers tightened imperceptibly, his Adam’s apple moving as he thought about what she had said, his eyes lingering on her with an unreadable expression.

Odalys leaned back in her seat, then suddenly had an idea. She instinctively grabbed Percival’s wrist, spreading his palm open and placing her fingers on his pulse.

Percival froze. His fingertips moved slightly, and his Adam’s apple bobbed a few times.

“How is it?” Percival’s voice was husky as he asked, watching her fingers press against his wrist, frozen in place.

Odalys looked at him curiously, then leaned in closer, reaching out to touch his forehead. She pushed aside his shirt collar and tilted her head to inspect his neck.

“Odalys,” Percival’s voice deepened. He stiffened as she got closer. The faint fragrance of her body filled his senses, and he swallowed hard, turning his head away. Her hair brushed against his nose, and the sweet scent made his body tense.

“Don’t move,” Odalys said seriously.

She placed her hand firmly on his shoulder, kneeling on the car seat, her body nearly pressed against his.

Percival’s shirt was pulled open, and her delicate fingers traced over his body, moving back and forth before stopping at his chest. She spoke softly, “Something’s strange.”

Orson, who had been sitting in the front passenger seat, turned around in shock to see this scene unfold.

His eyes lit up with excitement. Every place her fingers touched seemed to be a pressure point, and she was casually yet precisely locating the key areas. “What’s wrong?” Percival’s body stiffened, his breath growing ragged.

Odalys pressed her finger gently against his chest.

“The poison in your body, which had been suppressed, seems to be stirring again. Normally, with the medicine I gave you and the baths, the poison would have been controlled, waiting for the right moment to be expelled.” “But now it’s waking up.”

She squeezed his wrist again and felt for his pulse once more.

“The further we go into the mountain village, the more agitated the poison seems to get,” she murmured, her eyes narrowing as she seemed to piece something together.

“I think I know what’s going on,” she said coldly.

She withdrew her fingers from his wrist, casually straightening his shirt and fastening the buttons. Percival looked down at her fingers, his deep eyes now clouded with different emotions.

His lips parted, and he glanced at her flushed face, then looked away. Slowly, he closed his eyes, forcing himself to suppress the strange feeling rising within him.

“What’s happening?” Orson nearly shouted, too excited to contain himself.

Chapter 224

Orson looked at Odalys with a newfound admiration.

If anyone else had their fingers tracing across a man’s body like that, he would surely think they were teasing him. But with Odalys, there was no trace of inappropriate intent. Her fingers, precise and clinical, seemed to command respect, not desire. As they brushed over Percival’s skin, he couldn’t help but feel a strange, almost mystical sensation, a tingling, as though life itself was stirring within him. “The illness is probably linked to that village. I didn’t check his pulse the other night, so I’m not sure what exactly is wrong,” Odalys murmured. “But as we head back, the poison inside him is starting to stir, almost like it’s being drawn to something. It feels like it’s about to erupt.”

Some things, no matter how hard science tries, defy explanation.

“Does that mean returning to the village will solve it?” Orson asked eagerly. It seemed this trip was yielding more than just one unexpected discovery.

“I’m not sure yet. Let’s get to the village first, and we’ll know more then,” Odalys replied quietly.

She turned her gaze to Percival, who was elegantly

adjusting his shirt. Despite his serious face, the tips of his ears were bright red.

“Did you feel any unusual symptoms when you came to the village the other night?” she asked, her voice soft but probing.

After straightening his shirt, Percival wiped his fingers with a handkerchief and then handed her a piece of pastry.

Without hesitation, Odalys took it, nibbling as he made her a cup of hot coffee and placed it within her reach.

“Felt a bit of unrest in my chest, but it wasn’t too noticeable,” he said, his tone steady.

Odalys nodded while chewing, mulling over his words. “Got it. I think I understand now.” She took another bite of the pastry.

Percival peeled an orange and handed her the segments, a gesture so natural it seemed as if they had been doing this forever.

“Thank you,” Odalys said with a smile, resting her head against the window as she gazed out at the passing scenery, eating as she went.

Orson sat in the front, glancing at the rearview mirror, observing the natural ease with which Percival and Odalys interacted.

There were no words, but their quiet understanding was unmistakable. Percival handed her things without question, and Odalys accepted them without hesitation. It was like they were a pair that had known each other forever.

He couldn’t help but smirk at their chemistry. It was evident that something was going on between them.

“What are you smiling about?” Callum asked from the driver’s seat, glancing at Orson with a look of mild distaste. “You’re acting like a schoolboy in love.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Orson replied, clearly amused.

He glanced back in the mirror and caught Percival’s eyes- dark, piercing, and full of something unspoken. Orson froze, a shiver running through him, and quickly looked away, pretending to sleep.

Odalys, oblivious to the exchange, continued munching on her orange, her voice breaking the silence. “If you start feeling bad, just let me know.”

“Got it,” Percival responded quietly.

Odalys finished the orange and noticed Percival offering her some shelled nuts. She shook her head. “I can’t eat anymore.”

“Then we’ll save it for later,” Percival said with a gentle smile, placing the nuts on the small table beside them.

Odalys looked at him, noting how his composure was both elegant and quietly intimidating. There was a quiet power to him that couldn’t be ignored.

“Percival,” she suddenly called out, her voice low.

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at her with a touch of curiosity. “What’s up?”

“I think Sophia might have taken an interest in you,” Odalys whispered, leaning closer, her tone full of gossip. “After we went out for dinner, she and Henry tried to follow me, but you blocked them by driving into their path.”

“She’s probably noticed you by now. Lately, she’s been trying to cause trouble for me. During the filming of the variety show, I could feel her jealousy radiating off of her.” “She must be investigating now that we’ve chartered a private plane back to Crownridge. I’m sure she knows I don’t have the power to pull that off, so she’s probably guessing it was the Stewart family behind it.”

Odalys couldn’t help but laugh. The thought of Sophia focusing on her was oddly amusing.

“Why does that matter to you? You think she’s interested in me?” Percival’s voice was thick with confusion.

He thoughtfully took her hand, grabbed a wet wipe, and started gently cleaning it. “So, does she have a masochistic streak? Did she think getting hit by my car was her idea of fun? Or maybe she assumed that chartering a private jet to send someone back meant I had no intention of bringing her along?”

Odalys couldn’t help herself-his words made her burst out laughing.

Odalys shrugged and smiled. “She’s into powerful, wealthy men, and you definitely fit that description.”

“She probably thought you were dead, but now that she sees that’s not the case, the Bennett family will do everything they can to turn this into a public issue,” Odalys smirked, finding the thought of their frustration utterly satisfying.

“Are you happy?” Percival asked thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on her.

Odalys rolled her eyes, casually grabbing a handful of nuts to snack on. “Isn’t that an obvious question?” she replied with a shrug.

“Got it.” Percival’s voice dropped to a murmur.

As soon as he finished speaking, Odalys sensed something was off. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Percival handed her his phone. His voice dropped lower as he said, “Take a look. Maybe this will make you a little happier.”

Odalys took the phone and glanced at the screen.

A document popped up, and she tapped on it, her eyes widening as she saw what it was-an equity transfer authorization. As she scrolled down, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Caspian’s signature.

“Did Caspian just transfer all his shares to me?” Odalys whispered, her voice filled with disbelief.

Percival, watching her closely, couldn’t hide the slight smile tugging at his lips. He clearly enjoyed seeing her so intrigued.

She seemed so capable, but at the end of the day, she was just a 20-year-old girl.

“When I left, I was worried the Bennetts might get too cocky, so I had Dorian step in to put some pressure on them. Caspian, worried about his reputation, offered a polite concession to avoid conflict,” Percival explained briefly.

Odalys caught on immediately.

“So Dorian just took advantage of the situation, didn’t back down, and completely crushed him instead,” she murmured. A grin played at the corners of Percival’s mouth. “Mm,” he replied, his voice low and approving.

The conversation flowed easily between them, creating an almost private atmosphere in the back of the car. Meanwhile, the two people in the front seat were left in awkward silence, feeling like third wheels as they tried to keep up, but it was clear they were being overshadowed by the couple’s quiet moment of connection.

Just then, Odalys’ phone vibrated, breaking the mood.

The car rolled to a stop right at the village entrance, and Percival stepped out, quickly circling around to open her door for her.

As she stepped out of the car, she answered the phone, saying, “What’s the update?”

“We’ve just arrived at the hospital,” Freya’s voice came through. “They’ve taken him into surgery, but he’s still not out. Stellan’s mom has multiple abrasions, and it looks like her arm might be broken. Other than that, there aren’t any serious injuries.”

Chapter 225

Odalys listened quietly, her response a mere “Hmm.” “But during the first explosion, Stellan’s father must have been injured. But in the second explosion, I noticed a flash of golden light-was it the talisman?” Freya’s voice trembled with curiosity.

Odalys nodded. “Yes.”

Freya, overwhelmed, nearly burst into tears. “Odalys, can you give it to me? I want one too!”

The urgency in her voice was palpable, as if the talisman. could solve everything.

“Not now,” Odalys replied, her tone calm. “I don’t have time to draw one at the moment. By the way, is Francis with you?”

Freya instinctively glanced at Francis, nodding. “Yes, he’s with us.”

“Tell him to stay with you for the next three days. Don’t let him leave your side. I have some matters to attend to. Once I’m back, you can come find me,” Odalys instructed.

Freya quickly relayed the message to both Selah and Francis. “Alright, I’ll get back to you soon.”

Odalys gave a short nod and hung up the phone.

Just as she did, Orson rushed over with his phone, his voice low and urgent. “Odalys, have you seen the trending news?”

“What trending news?” Odalys asked, slightly puzzled.

She wasn’t one to keep up with the internet, and while she occasionally checked gossip, she wasn’t reliant on it.

“The CEO of the Drake Group had a car accident. It’s unclear whether he’s dead or alive,” Orson said, his voice tense.

Odalys paused for a moment, then connected the dots. The Drake Group CEO must be Stellan’s father.

“I know,” she replied indifferently.

Orson didn’t stop. “But there’s more. The news is all about you. They’re saying you did a divination for Stellan on your livestream, and now everyone’s wondering if it has something to do with the accident.”

Odalys simply waved him off, unaffected. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s head into the village.”

Orson blinked in disbelief. “Wait, she’s not even reacting? She’s trending all over the place, and she’s not fazed?”

He shook his head in disbelief, but Odalys was already walking away, heading toward the village without a second thought. Percival fell into step beside her.

The tension in the air was palpable as Orson watched them. He expected someone to be thrilled by the attention, but Odalys seemed completely unbothered.

“They were still talking about it on the way back after recording,” Orson mumbled to himself. “Even some journalists followed them. They witnessed everything, and now they’re backing up Odalys’ predictions.”

Callum, noticing Orson’s fixation, grabbed his arm and pulled him along. “Odalys is a person of importance. A little trending topic won’t shake her. We need to focus on the matter at hand. This village is off, and we’re here to investigate, not gossip.”

With that, Callum drew his weapon and quickened his pace, making sure to stay close to Percival and Odalys. Orson, reluctantly snapping out of his reverie, followed suit, his phone slipping back into his pocket.

As they entered the village, an eerie silence enveloped them. The village felt strangely deserted, as though every door had been shut tight.

Then, a blood-curdling scream shattered the stillness, followed by the thudding sound of someone running. Rafael appeared, drenched in blood, stumbling out of a building.

Seeing Odalys, he ran straight toward her, collapsing at her feet. “I know I was wrong, please, save me!” he pleaded, bowing and knocking his head against the ground.

Odalys watched as blood continued to seep from his body, her eyes narrowing slightly in surprise.

“Did someone poison you?” she asked suddenly.

Rafael froze, staring up at her in confusion, as though she had struck a chord deep within him.

Odalys stepped closer, her voice steady but piercing. “Is it true that every month, you feel ill-chills, fever, and sometimes even fainting?”

“Yes… Yes,” Rafael stammered, his confusion growing.

“And after you faint, all your symptoms disappear, don’t they?” she pressed, her gaze unyielding.

Rafael’s eyes widened. “Yes… Yes, that’s right.”

He hadn’t expected Odalys to know about this. Rafael stared at her, a flicker of fear creeping into his eyes.

‘Why had she come back after the rest of the crew had already left? And those figures trailing behind her-men clad in expensive suits, exuding an air of wealth and power -what was she up to?’ Rafael thought.

Odalys observed him closely, her voice low and chilling.” You’ve been poisoned. Every month, you suffer from the poison, and someone comes to give you an antidote after you faint. That’s why you always recover, right?”

Rafael recoiled as though struck. “No, that’s impossible. It can’t be true!” he shouted, desperately shaking his head. Odalys didn’t flinch. “How is it impossible? You’re here because you’ve committed murder, and now they have something on you. They’re using you to guard this village, making sure no one gets too close.”

Rafael’s body trembled as he staggered backward, his eyes wild with fear.

“You cut the tendons of those villagers, didn’t you? After that, you became the village boss, bullying anyone you could find. On a whim, you’d beat them up, and they were too afraid to leave. But that’s not all, is it?” Odalys. continued, her voice calm but cold.

Rafael’s face went pale. “Stop. Please, just stop.”

But Odalys wasn’t done. “You had a girlfriend once, didn’t you? You sold her off to save yourself, and she died the very next day. You didn’t even care, did you?

You’re going to just let yourself rot here, knowing that you’ll never leave this place alive?”

Rafael’s body shuddered as if her words had pierced him to the core. He paused, his feet rooted to the ground.

Odalys took a step toward him, her voice steady, “You stole Sophia’s clothes. You hugged her. You touched her. But you never forced her. If you wanted to, you could’ve, but you didn’t. You never did.”

“Do you know what you’re doing to yourself?” Odalys’ eyes locked onto his, a knowing gleam in them. “You’ve been brainwashing yourself, thinking you can keep pretending. But you’re not fooling anyone-not even yourself.”

Rafael took a step back, panic flashing across his face.” Who are you?” he screamed.

Odalys’ voice was calm, like a force of nature. “Do you know how your girlfriend died?”

Rafael froze, unable to respond. Odalys gestured to the old house ahead. “That’s where it all began.”

Chapter 226

Rafael’s gaze grew dazed, his eyes wide with a sort of naive, foolish clarity. The confusion in them deepened as he stared at her.

Odalys bent down to meet his gaze, her voice low but cutting. “Wasn’t it you who killed that family?”

She continued, her words hanging in the air like a thunderclap, “Do you remember how they died? Do their injuries remind you of the ones you carry?”

Rafael’s body stiffened at her words. The impact was like a bolt of lightning striking the very heart of his mind.

“Injuries?” Rafael murmured softly, as if trying to grasp the meaning of it.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he spun around and bolted toward the edge of the village, heading straight for the small woods. As he fled, the door of the house behind him creaked open.

The elderly man and his son stepped out, spotting Odalys and the others. They were about to approach, but stopped when Odalys gave a slight nod of her chin, signaling them to follow.

“What’s going on?” Orson asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Odalys ignored him, her eyes already focused on the fleeing Rafael. Despite his age, he moved quickly, his strides long and sure, disappearing from their sight in mere moments. “That man’s injuries… They look like blood that just won’t stop bleeding,” Percival’s voice resonated, his tone deep and steady.

His words made both Callum and Orson pause in shock. They turned to him instinctively, finding his expression thoughtful, almost contemplative.

“It looks like the poison I’ve been suppressing inside me… but it’s different somehow,” Percival added, his voice trailing off.

“Maybe this is what Odalys was talking about-the poison I’ve been suppressing suddenly stirring, growing more restless the closer I get to this place,” Percival said.

Orson, following Percival’s line of thought, began to piece things together. “So, the source of all of this… could be here?”

A cold shiver ran down Orson’s spine as he took in the quiet village. His unease grew.

“Whether it is or not, we’ll know soon enough. Odalys doesn’t act without reason,” Percival replied, his tone full of trust in her.

There was a subtle admiration in his voice, an almost protective quality that suggested to Orson that Odalys was someone he deeply respected.

Callum, equally eager, added, “Let’s see for ourselves.”

The group quickened their pace, following Odalys toward the woods. They came upon Rafael, who was kneeling in the dirt, his hands frantically digging at the ground.

“How could it not be here? I swear it was right here!” Rafael mumbled, his voice breaking.

He dug deeper, the dirt flying as he scraped at the earth, going nearly 2 feet down before stopping, panting, a look of confusion on his face. “I remember… It has to be here,” he muttered again, eyes wide and frantic.

Just as his words faded, he looked up and froze, seeing Odalys and the others standing nearby.

His body tensed, as if realizing something. He shot to his feet, glaring at Odalys, “Did you deceive me?”

Before he could say anything further, the sound of police sirens cut through the air, and Rafael’s face turned pale. He scrambled to get up and run, but it was too late. Police officers surged forward, surrounding him.

“Let go of me! You can’t arrest me!” Rafael screamed, thrashing against their grip, but his wrists were quickly cuffed.

The leading officer stepped forward, showing his badge.” Rafael, you’re under arrest for murder, arson, and kidnapping. We have the evidence. You’re going with us.” Rafael collapsed onto the ground, his body shaking as he stared at the officers, unable to comprehend. “This is impossible. Where’s your evidence?” he demanded, but his protests were ignored as the officers dragged him away. As they walked toward the police car, the officer exchanged a few quiet words with Percival. Then, with a respectful nod, he turned back to the task at hand.

Rafael, still struggling, twisted in fear and desperation. His voice broke out in a furious shout, “Who are you? Who the hell are you?”

But before he could say more, his mouth was silenced, and he was dragged into the car.

Orson stood there, still rubbing his wrist in confusion. What now?” he asked, his voice laced with unease.

Odalys glanced at the spot where Rafael had been digging, then picked up a nearby hoe and began to dig herself. Percival, Callum, and Orson quickly joined her.

Moments later, they uncovered a blood-red soil, as though something had soaked into the earth itself, staining the ground with a horrifyingly vivid color.

“What is this? It smells… like blood,” Orson muttered, leaning in to sniff the air, his face contorted with disgust. The pungent, iron-rich smell hit him like a wall, and he quickly stepped back, recoiling.

Odalys dropped the hoe, gesturing to the elderly man who had followed them. “Come here. Look at this.”

The old man hurried over. His face drained of color when he saw the red earth beneath them. He whispered, his voice trembling, “This… this can’t be. How could it be like this?”

“This is a forbidden practice of our village,” the old man continued, his voice shaking with fear.

Orson and Callum exchanged a look of confusion, then watched as the old man collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed.

“What’s going on?” Callum asked, unable to keep the curiosity from his voice.

Odalys stood silently for a moment, her gaze complicated as she studied the blood-soaked earth. The smell of death and decay was overwhelming. She quickly turned away, covering her nose.

“This village… they live by fabric, weaving clothes for generations,” she began, her voice quiet but firm. “But the raw materials they use are a secret. That secret is what made their craft so highly regarded.”

“And once people became wealthy, they wanted to control the demand for these goods. So they turned to dyeing, mixing the raw materials with human blood. They added poisons, creating incredibly toxic substances, yet also deeply intoxicating.”

She paused, looking at the red earth with a grim expression. “They infused the fabrics with these poisons. The scent of the fabric would make people hallucinate, even hurt themselves. And if the poison wasn’t used on fabric…”

Odalys took a deep breath, her voice low and steady. “If it were buried in the ground, over time, the rain would carry the poison through the earth and into the water sources. Anyone near here would die without a doubt.”

Percival, ever the observer, was quiet for a moment. His gaze lingered on the earth beneath them, his brow furrowing in thought.

“Why here?” he finally asked, his voice quiet but edged with suspicion.

Odalys looked around at the silent woods, the isolation of the village settling in. “Because they wanted to control the people here. This place is remote, so even if people die, no one would come to investigate.”

“The people here are skilled. Their work is sold to the wealthiest across the country. If something went wrong, no one would think to trace it back to this village.”

Orson, however, focused on something more sinister. “You said this poison causes hallucinations, even self-harm?”

Odalys nodded, her expression darkening. “Not only that. Many people in the area have died of leukemia or suddenly developed cancer, and no one knows why. It might be linked to this… this poison.”

Percival narrowed his eyes as he looked at the bloodstained earth, his mind working.

“They targeted the rich. If someone suddenly falls ill, no one would think to check for poisoning. And cancer, leukemia-they’re diseases people expect. No one would suspect it was anything else.”

Chapter 227

“If it causes hallucinations or self-harm, the result of any investigation would probably conclude that the individual was simply overwhelmed by life’s pressures, leading to a breakdown in mental health, and eventually, suicide,” Odalys mused.

She nodded in agreement with Percival’s words.

Percival’s voice grew darker, “Exactly. So, nurturing this poison, whether to eliminate someone or bring ruin to their family and seize their wealth, would be alarmingly simple. It leaves no trace, and even the police would be powerless to trace it.”

The revelation sent a chill through the group.

The elderly man collapsed to the ground, his locked eyes on the dirt beneath him. After a long, tense pause, he choked out, “What a sin. How could this happen? My wife wasn’t feeling well, so she returned here to recover.”

“My daughter-in-law, and my grandson-they came back too. I was so busy with my own life, I hardly contacted them. All I knew was that after they returned, they seemed to be researching something out of boredom.”

“Is it related to this?” he asked frantically, his hands trembling.

Odalys had warned him days ago to reflect on his family’s deaths before their return to the village. Now, with his mind clear, he realized it all made sense.

“It’s not just your family. Those who stayed in the village all met untimely deaths-either by illness or self-harm, am I right?” Odalys continued. “After they died, their families returned, only to fall under Rafael’s control. Their tendons were severed, preventing them from contacting the outside world.”

The elderly man nodded, the truth dawning on him. Without Odalys’ reminder, he would never have connected the dots. “Go find the villagers,” Odalys instructed, her voice steady.” Ask them if they want revenge. If they do, let them recall who they’ve had business dealings with in the past twenty years. Which families were their primary partners?”

The old man’s eyes burned with fury.

“I’ll go now,” he said, turning to leave.

Percival stood motionless, watching the elderly man disappear into the distance.

After a long silence, he turned to Odalys, his voice low, “You suspect that the villagers cooperated with some wealthy merchants, and that these merchants became targets. Over time, they subtly poisoned the fabrics and clothes, causing misfortune, and eventually, the family’s fortune fell into the hands of the conspirators.”

Odalys nodded.

“It’s hard to build wealth from scratch or through honest work. If you can gain it easily, why not? It’s like your family,” she added, her tone shifting slightly. “After your father’s accident, it was only a matter of time before they turned their attention to you.”

Percival fell silent, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t respond. He knelt slowly, his eyes locked on the crimson soil beneath them. His hand clenched into a fist, visibly fighting to suppress the rising fury.

“Callum,” Percival finally spoke, his voice cold. “Keep watch. Once they’ve compiled the list, get it to the investigators right away. See if any families, like the Stewarts, have suffered strange tragedies.”

Callum, still in shock, nodded solemnly. “Understood.” “I’ll help too,” Orson offered, already moving to assist. But Odalys stopped him, catching his arm. “Wait. Take some of the soil back with you. Get it tested for its composition.”

Orson blinked in confusion. “Do you need me to cover it back up afterward?”

Odalys pulled out a talisman, tossing it into the soil. “No need,” she said curtly.

“Alright, I’ll handle it,” Orson replied, taking a box to collect some of the soil, with the old man’s son helping him.

Once the task was done, Odalys turned to Percival, her voice low but charged with a question. “Did you figure it out?” Percival stood next to her, eyes now scanning the depths of the woods. “I noticed something when we saw that giant snake in the show. You didn’t say everything before.”

His eyes narrowed. “The poison is unique because they killed the venomous snake, extracted its venom, and combined it with the other ingredients.”

Odalys stared at him, surprised by his sharp insight. “You figured that out?”

He didn’t need to stay here; just a few words from her, and he had pieced everything together, linking every detail with ease.

“A smaller snake, heavily injured, was treated by me. I found signs that its venom had been extracted,” Percival continued. “I suspect Rafael is using the life and death of this snake to threaten the larger serpent. After all, the snake is old and mystical.”

“The wicked energy in the clothes in your family’s water tank it’s strong. And the source of that wicked energy… It’s here.” Odalys pointed toward the old house, her voice cold.

Percival’s lips tightened, and after a long pause, he let out a soft laugh, tinged with bitterness. “So, your elaborate plan was to dig a pit for him to fall into, all while making him think you completely trusted him. But he slipped up.” Odalys smirked but said nothing, her eyes locked with his. They exchanged a knowing glance and began walking back toward the village. The elderly man had gathered the remaining villagers, and they were now listing their business dealings, marking the families that had been involved.

Callum stood by, diligently recording the names, while the investigation was already underway.

It wasn’t long before the elderly man slowly stood up, his voice hesitant. “Ms. Stone, do you think this will still be useful now?”

Odalys glanced at him, her expression unreadable, her silence more telling than any words.

The man felt a chill creeping over him and instinctively took a step back. “Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice shaky.

Just then, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist. His eyes widened as his tendon, which had been carefully repaired, suddenly tightened and snapped with a loud crack.

A scream escaped him as he clutched his wrist, the pen he had been holding dropping to the ground.

The middle-aged man rushed forward, trying to support the elderly man, but suddenly, a sharp pain struck his chest. He coughed up blood, staining his clothes as he collapsed, his energy drained, his body aged in an instant.

“What’s happening? I thought I was healed…” the man whispered, his voice weak.

Odalys stood there, hands clasped behind her back, watching them both with a detached gaze.

“You were healed,” she said coolly, “but you touched something you shouldn’t have.”

Her words hung in the air, and the elderly man and his son exchanged stunned glances, their eyes widened in terror.

“You really did tell me the truth before, which made me believe you were genuinely the victims. But it wasn’t until yesterday, when you gave me those nuts, that I started to rethink my doubts.”

Chapter 228

“When the incident happened earlier, Rafael pointed directly at your house for a moment. That was when you should have been threatening him from the shadows. And when I set up the formation at his place that day, you made your move as well.”

“If Francis hadn’t mentioned it to me, telling me that the stone wasn’t where I’d left it, I probably wouldn’t have suspected you at all,” Odalys spoke coldly, her voice sharp. So, they finally started telling the truth, but it was mixed with half-truths and lies.

“When I came to the village, I caught the scent of your house, which was similar to the smell of the clothes in the Stewart family’s pond. That means that piece of clothing belonged to your grandson.”

“Your grandson is dead, and you altered his clothes before sending them to Percival’s father,” Odalys said, her words striking the old man like a hammer.

The old man shuddered as his body trembled, staring at her as if he could bore a hole through her with his gaze.

“If you hadn’t meddled with things you shouldn’t have, maybe none of this would have happened, and I wouldn’t have suspected you,” Odalys added.

“Your things, they completely counteract the medicine I gave you. So just now, the illness I healed in you came back twice as strong.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the old man growled, stubborn to the end.

Odalys didn’t respond to him but turned to Callum. “Grab the shovel. We’re going to dig up his family’s tomb.”

“Understood,” Callum said, turning immediately to get a shovel.

Hearing the words “dig up the tomb,” the old man was taken aback. He scrambled to his feet, but his hand, still weakened from earlier, trembled uselessly as he tried to point at her.

“You dare…” he spat, glaring at Odalys.

Odalys took a step forward, standing face to face with him. Her eyes flashed with cold fury as she locked her gaze with his. “You dared to use your dead family’s clothes to harm others. What makes you think I’d be afraid to do anything?”

“I’ve warned you about karma. Did you think I was joking? Let me show you what true retribution looks like today.” Odalys’s voice was laced with venom.

With that, she turned and walked out. The old man, stumbling in his desperation, tried to stop her, but with several men by her side, they swiftly located the tomb. Before he could stop them, they had already begun to dig. “Stop! No!” the old man cried, rushing forward, only to watch in horror as Odalys threw a talisman into the grave, causing a burst of flames. The tomb exploded, shattering the coffin, and everything inside turned to dust.

The old man’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted from disbelief. He couldn’t fathom how Odalys could be so ruthless.

“Now that the tomb is destroyed, the wicked energy in the Stewart family’s pond will dissipate. All the things they buried to lay the groundwork for your father’s plans are now useless,” Odalys murmured.

Percival, standing behind her, felt something shift within him.

As the explosion rocked the ground, he felt a strange lightness, as though something oppressive had been lifted. It was an odd sensation, but undeniably freeing.

“Damn, so this man killed his wife, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Then he tried to use his grandson’s wicked energy to harm the Stewart family, didn’t he?” Orson finally pieced it together.

No wonder Odalys and Percival had insisted on returning here.

“But why did his son get poisoned? Why were his tendons severed?” Callum was still confused.

If they were the ones behind all this, then what about these other things?

“His son got poisoned simply from long-term exposure to those toxic dyes,” Odalys explained coldly. “As for his tendons, Rafael is the one who severed them.”

“They’re both pawns for someone else,” she continued, her gaze narrowing. “But when it comes to the Stewart family, he certainly had his own motives. The power and influence of the Stewart family tempted him, so he let his personal desires bleed into his dealings with them.”

“The clothes his grandson wore after death, soaked in the family’s wicked energy-once his plans succeeded, their descendants would be blessed with the Stewart family’s fortune.

“This is the so-called ‘stolen fortune. They were attempting to steal the Stewart family’s luck, and once that happened, their descendants would rise to power,” Odalys added.

Callum still didn’t fully understand.

“But that doesn’t mean he should kill his own family, right?” he asked, baffled.

Percival shot him a sharp look, as if he couldn’t believe the question. Callum felt a chill down his spine and instinctively drew in a breath.

“Killing his own family ensures that the hatred and resentment are stronger. The greater the resentment, the easier it is to harm others while benefiting oneself,” Percival explained succinctly.

Odalys gave him an approving glance. “Exactly. The heavier the resentment, the easier it is to use that power to destroy others while boosting your own family.”

“Too bad he didn’t know how to use it properly. Rafael and he must be at odds-two families destroying each other. In the end, they both lose everything,” she added, shaking her head lightly.

The old man’s lips moved, but no words came out.

“So, the ones who hurt the Stewart family were them?” Orson’s handsome face twisted with rage.

Odalys glanced back at the destroyed tomb, her footsteps steady as she turned to leave. “They were just pawns in someone else’s game. And the ones using them also had their own agenda, slipping in some personal gain while carrying out their tasks.”

Percival followed her closely, and as he did, the unsettling pressure in his chest finally vanished.

“Odalys,” Percival called softly.

She didn’t turn to him but answered, “What is it?”

“Earlier, when we were near here, I felt the poison churning inside me. But now, that sensation has completely gone. Why is that?” he asked.

She didn’t even glance at him but explained as she walked,” The poison in you is similar to what we dug up just now, but yours has been altered.”

“You sensed something familiar, so your body reacted. I sealed it with the talisman, which suppressed it,” Odalys explained, her tone neutral.

As they walked, a gust of wind suddenly swept by.

Out of nowhere, a giant snake slithered toward them at breakneck speed. Percival’s tall frame quickly stepped in front of Odalys, shielding her from the oncoming creature. “I’m leaving,” Odalys said, glancing back over her shoulder at the massive serpent.

The snake paused in its tracks, staring at her for a moment, as if understanding her words.

“I’ll make sure to avenge you,” Odalys promised softly.

The snake, after hearing her, suddenly lunged toward Percival. His eyes narrowed, and just as its head was about to strike, he clenched his fist, ready for the impact.

The snake stopped abruptly, turned its head, and slithered off into the woods, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

“It was warning me. Seems like it has a soft spot for you,” Percival said with a quiet laugh.

The snake’s actions had been a clear warning, and though it hadn’t spoken, its intentions were obvious.

“Don’t try anything with me,” Odalys teased. “Otherwise, it’ll be coming after you next.”

As they walked back, the bodyguards had arrived.

The village was under their control. The old man and his son were bound and stuffed into a car, while the others were kept under watch to prevent any leaks to the outside world.

Chapter 229

Before discovering the anomaly in this person, they had gone too far in manipulating Rafael-making him pay a heavy price just to lull him into a false sense of security. “Did you find anything on your uncle while investigating him?” Odalys asked.

Percival acted with his usual decisiveness. His sudden appearance here could only mean one thing-he must have uncovered something significant about this person. Even if he hadn’t spoken it out loud, Odalys had already guessed. She’d been watching, waiting for the right moment.

“Yes, I suspected before, but when you found that piece of clothing in the pool at the house, I knew for certain that he was involved,” Percival said.

He opened the car door for Odalys, who slid into the seat. He covered her legs with a light blanket before sitting down himself.

The air conditioning hummed softly, making the temperature just right.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a hazy glow on Percival, his face almost obscured by the shifting shadows.

“But I didn’t expect the dye to be made from human blood mixed with poison,” Percival muttered coldly. “To kill someone and then act innocent… It’s truly detestable. To take the life of his own grandson, his relatives, all for some abstract ‘fortune’… and he doesn’t even feel remorse. It’s like his mind’s been twisted.”

“Anyone capable of plotting such a deadly scheme to seize others’ wealth, even to the point of taking lives and setting up such a complex game-there’s nothing they wouldn’t do,” Odalys sneered. “The most vicious thing of all is the human heart.”

The car fell into silence, the weight of their words hanging. between them.

Moments later, Orson and Callum arrived after taking care of some matters.

They climbed into the car, and Callum immediately turned to Percival, speaking in a low voice, “Mr. Stewart, we’ve gathered some information, though there’s still more to uncover.”

“One-fifth of the people on the list have been identified. These are heirs or potential successors in some families. They are seriously ill-100% mortality rate, Callum reported grimly. “These people all had descendants, but now their families are dying off. Their estates are being donated, and the funds are eventually funneled overseas.”

Money flowing out of the country was, without a doubt, a form of money laundering.

“Keep investigating,” Percival instructed in a low, controlled tone.

Callum nodded. “Yes.”

Orson, clutching a small box in his hands, seemed visibly anxious, his fingers trembling. The box contained a deadly poison-something capable of causing cancer.

“Don’t worry. I sealed it off. It won’t harm anyone,” Odalys glanced at him and reassured.

Orson quickly straightened, looking more serious. “Who’s worried? I’m just excited. We’ve got new findings coming soon.”

“Oh, so you’re thinking about women now?” Odalys teased with a mischievous grin.

Orson’s ears flushed red, and he quickly turned his head, clearing his throat. “Ahem, nonsense. I’m still young. No rush.”

“I’m focused on my career-revolution, the country’s prosperity, and all that,” Orson declared solemnly, as though donning an invisible red scarf.

Odalys nearly burst out laughing.

“Mr. Stewart, the two men, along with Rafael, have been sedated and sent back to Crownridge by private plane.

Everything that happened today is under strict confidentiality. No one will know,” Callum reported.

Percival listened, his brow furrowing.

“Once the reality show airs, people will try to come here to vacation or travel. Notify the tourism department and find a way to block the roads. No outsiders should be allowed in for now,” Percival said with authority.

Callum immediately agreed.

“By the way, don’t you find it strange that the sponsors of this reality show specifically chose this village for us to participate in? Is it just a coincidence?” Odalys asked, puzzled.

The car fell silent at her question.

Percival opened the drawer next to him, pulled out a file, and handed it to her.

“When you arrived for the reality show, I had people look into the sponsors. They had received a tip that this village was mysterious and remote, a real challenge,” Percival explained. “And they were given a sum of money, which led them to choose this location.”

He paused for a moment before continuing. “I traced the origin of that money. It came from abroad, and the account holder is a foreigner who’s never been to China.”

As Odalys flipped through the documents, she skimmed through the information and quickly understood.

“Someone’s testing the waters, trying to use the reality show’s fame to bring attention to this village. They want to see if it draws any attention and to check the safety of their base,” Odalys murmured. “But after the show aired, no one paid attention to this place.”

Percival nodded, his thoughts mirroring hers. “Exactly.”

Odalys fell silent again as she accepted some pastries from Percival and began to eat, her eyes flicking back to her phone.

It was already dusk. She’d been busy all day, only glancing at her phone briefly when she arrived at the village. Now, WhatsApp was flooded with messages.

Group B’s members were all talking in the group chat. They’d tagged her, noticed she hadn’t replied, and quickly switched to private messages. Then, they called her one by one.

The phone rang nonstop.

Freya: [Odalys, where are you? Did something happen?]

Selah: [Odalys, if you’re there, say something.]

Francis: [Calling Odalys, please respond.]

Stellan: [Odalys, if you’re there, reply.]

Reading through their frantic messages, Odalys couldn’t help but laugh. She tapped on the group voice call, and they picked up immediately. Within moments, everyone was online, their voices overlapping in concern.

“Odalys, where did you go? We were so scared. We thought you’d been kidnapped.”

“I’m fine. Just handling a few things. Just finished,” Odalys answered.

Francis immediately chimed in, his voice anxious. “Odalys, I need a talisman. Draw me one, the kind that costs money.”

Freya, seemingly munching on something, casually asked, Did you go on a date?”

The line went dead silent. No one dared speak, knowing the name she’d mentioned earlier.

Odalys raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Want to join me?”

There was a collective “Oh” from the other side, clearly teasing.

Percival glanced at her, noticing she didn’t deny it. His deep eyes darkened for a moment, and a slight smirk tugged at his lips, but he remained silent.

“Stellan, how’s your father?” Odalys asked.

Stellan’s voice came through quickly. “He just came out of surgery. He’s not out of danger yet, but without your talisman, I’m sure he wouldn’t have made it to the hospital.” “He’ll be fine,” Odalys reassured him.

“Thanks for the talisman. And by the way, why haven’t you accepted the payment I sent? We agreed-you give me the talisman, I give you the money,” Stellan added.

Odalys had almost forgotten. She opened the WhatsApp payment link and accepted the 1.5 million dollars.

“About the talisman… Can I tell my mom about it? After everything that happened, I feel obligated to warn her. She can’t keep being reckless or someone will die,” Stellan said earnestly.

Chapter 230

She had wanted to say something all day but had held it in. She was also worried that speaking too much might bring trouble to Odalys, so she decided to ask for her opinion first.

“You can say it,” Odalys replied.

After chatting for a while on the phone, they ended the call.

Callum, driving, waited until she was done before he cleared his throat. “Odalys, the bodyguards just sent a message,” he said.

“They’re asking if you were pretending to trust that old man all along, especially when you said you’d avenge him before leaving. Were you trying to trick him into revealing himself?” Odalys couldn’t help but curl the corner of her mouth.

“Tell them this,” she said coldly. “Today, I just gave him a little taste-blew up his grandson’s grave. If he continues to act out or tries to mislead us again, next time, his entire bloodline won’t survive.”

She had no intention of wasting more time on these people. “Understood,” Callum replied softly.

When she had gone straight to that grave and detonated it, everyone was stunned.

Her decisiveness and sharpness hit them like a flash of light, illuminating their hearts. It was rare to see a woman so resolute. Most women would be crying and blindly tolerating, but not Odalys.

“So, now that the grave’s blown up, the wicked energy from the clothes in the pool is gone-does that mean my family’s safe now?” Percival asked softly.

Odalys took out the herbs she had picked at the cliffside earlier and spread them out in front of her.

“Well, at least you’re feeling lighter, aren’t you?” she asked, her voice soft.

Percival nodded slightly. “Yes, indeed.”

“Your grandfather must feel it even more. After destroying it, the wicked energy from the Stewart family should dissipate. Your uncle probably knew exactly where your family liked to order your clothes from.”

“That’s how he used that old man. The old man hates the rich and was clearly eyeing the Stewart family’s fortune.” Odalys paused, looking out the window as night fell and darkness took over the road.

The SUV sped down the street, yet couldn’t escape the cover of the night.

“So, he also wanted a share of the pie. Of course, his whole family is doomed. Helping others with their schemes and knowing their secrets never ends well for them. But he was just being used again.” Odalys’s voice was calm but sharp. Percival fell silent for a moment, then spoke, “So, the poison on his son was meant to control him?”

“It could be, or it couldn’t. He was already involved, so he got infected, but he’s been kept alive through medication. I just used his son to earn his trust.”

“He thought he could use me to cure his son, then latch onto you for protection. No matter who benefited, he thought he’d stay safe. He was so confident he could fool us, thinking we were young and wouldn’t find the clues after so much time.”

Odalys chatted with him casually, as if gossiping, without any weight on her shoulders.

Just then, Percival’s phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen and saw it was a call from home. He immediately answered.

“Grandfather?” Percival called out in a low voice.

Evander’s urgent voice came through, “Have you seen Odalys? Did you bring her back?”

“I saw her. She’s in the car,” Percival replied.

Upon hearing Odalys was in the car, Evander quickly switched to speakerphone. “Odalys, I just woke up from a nap and feel great. My body’s suddenly so much better.

Also, I had someone dredge up the clothes from the pool, and it’s broken into pieces now.”

He sounded frantic, not sure what to do with the shredded remains.

“Should I leave it as is, or what?” Evander asked, his voice tense.

Just waking up to find the pool had exploded was enough to give everyone a fright.

The Stewart family had strict rules forbidding outsiders from entering their estate-nothing dangerous was ever supposed to happen here. Yet, there had been an explosion. The bodyguards were shaken, fearing they had failed in their duties.

But after a thorough search, no traces of explosives or any other combustible materials were found. All they could do was stand there, baffled, as they replayed the sight of water erupting right before their eyes.

“Leave it. I’ll handle it when I get back,” Odalys replied, clearly in control of the situation.

It was obvious Percival had already updated him on the day’s events, and Evander felt much more at ease just hearing Odalys’s voice.

“Good. I heard you blew up that old man’s grandson’s grave. Is this related to the Stewart family?” Evander asked, his sharp mind catching on quickly.

He could feel the odd sense of lightness in the house. It was as though something had been lifted from above him, leaving the place feeling much fresher. A strange sensation, one that was hard to explain, but he felt something had changed.

“The clothes belonged to the old man’s dead grandson. That’s why the wicked energy was tied to him. Now that I’ve destroyed his grave, that energy will disappear with him. As for the pool incident, you don’t have to cover it up. Let people talk about it. The more chaotic it gets, the better. Let everyone feel uneasy and suspicious. Anyone with something to hide will be on edge.”

Evander chuckled at her words, clearly amused. “Look at you, little girl, speaking just like Percival. Must be that boy’s influence. Well, since that’s the case, I won’t bother you two. Come back soon. I’ll have something ready to eat by the time you get here.”

With that, he hung up.

Odalys handed the phone back to Percival and stared at the herbs, deep in thought.

Percival sat quietly, the dim light inside the car casting a soft glow on her. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then stopped as she put all the herbs away. “Orson,” Odalys called out, turning to the front passenger seat.

Orson, who had been quietly listening, jumped a little when she called his name.

“Yes, Odalys, I’m here!” he stammered, raising his hand like a nervous schoolboy caught doing something wrong. Callum chuckled softly, glancing at him with amusement.

Orson shot him a glare, but Callum just smiled and kept driving.

“Can we get Dangelo’s medical records now? I’d like to see them,” Odalys said.

Orson hadn’t expected this request, but quickly made a phone call. Within moments, the medical records and details were sent to his phone.

He transferred the information to an iPad and handed it to Odalys.

She took the iPad and began reading, her eyes scanning the screen with sharp focus.

お金金

SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714 or Buy Me Coffee

COMMENT

Subscribe

♡ Prev 🔙⏮️ | 👉⏩Next