Betrayed, Yet Bound To The Billionaire by Grace Madeline (Chapters 251 to 260)

Chapter 251

“Yes,” Dorian replied immediately, his expression turning serious. He nodded repeatedly before turning to walk out. With a wave of his hand, he summoned the other bodyguards, and the group marched out in unison. Odalys quickly followed suit, while Percival took long strides toward the house. Noticing she was falling behind, he instinctively slowed his pace.

Once Odalys caught up, they entered the living room together. The servants had already set the table, nearly covering the entire dining room with a spread of home- cooked dishes-each one a favorite of Odalys’s, with many dishes she particularly loved.

“Dorian knows you’re a foodie, so he learned how to make a few dishes for you. You should try them,” Percival said, his voice low.

He casually unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, exposing a portion of his wrist.

Odalys washed her hands and, as she approached the table, saw all her favorite dishes laid out before her. Despite not feeling hungry earlier, her stomach grumbled loudly.

She glanced at the spread and couldn’t help but name each dish, noting a few unfamiliar ones as well.

When the soup was served, Percival took a bowl, filled it, and handed it to her, arranging her fork beside it.

“Have some soup first,” he suggested.

Odalys took a small sip. The rich, savory broth warmed her stomach, and her appetite seemed to wake up immediately.

“This bone soup made from medicinal herbs… it’s really good,” she murmured.

Percival, still holding the fork, began serving her more food. Odalys, without hesitation, picked out dishes she liked, only to realize they were all her favorites, leaving her struggling to decide what to eat first.

“Slow down. If you want more, we can have him make it again tomorrow,” Percival chuckled, his voice soft but filled with affection..

Though she ate quickly, Odalys’s movements remained graceful, and her delicate mannerisms made her look all the more charming to him. Percival couldn’t help but smile as he watched her.

He finished eating first, sitting back as he occasionally served her more food.

The servants stood nearby, exchanging glances and quietly smiling as they took pictures and videos to send to Evander.

Odalys, feeling full, finally paused.

“If I keep eating like this, I’m going to lose my waistline,” she joked.

Percival handed her a warm towel. As she wiped her hands, he laughed softly and said, “You’re so thin, there’s no need to worry about your waistline. Health is more important.” “You’re right,” Odalys smiled, feeling a bit like a child being pampered by him. But she didn’t call him out on it.

“It’s getting late, I’m going to head back to my room,” Percival said, his voice low and strained. He clenched his fist and forced his body to stay composed.

He knew that if he didn’t get to his room soon, his body wouldn’t hold up much longer.

A wave of nausea rolled in, and he barely suppressed the urge to vomit blood. With his expression darkened, he stood abruptly, his movements faltering, and nearly stumbled as he made his way upstairs.

Once inside his room, he slammed the door shut behind him.

He coughed out a mouthful of blood, his body trembling as he leaned on the desk for support. After a moment, he wiped his lips and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

The sight of his powerful, muscular body was a stark contrast to the faint blue veins popping from his skin. They seemed ready to burst, as if his body was rebelling against the poison.

His eyes closed, and a small, bitter laugh escaped his lips. It had been almost two weeks since he last felt the pain of the poison, and in his haze, he had almost forgotten how close he was to death.

Percival let out a hoarse laugh, his voice laced with a trace of bitterness.

Lifting a hand, he wiped the blood off his lips with a single motion, then turned the faucet on, letting the water cascade over him. But his body, refusing to obey him, slammed with a loud thud into the wall beside him.

It was then that his phone began to vibrate, the ringtone echoing in the tiled room.

Percival shut off the water, grabbed a towel, and casually wrapped it around his waist, tying it at the hip with practiced ease.

Heavy steps carried him out of the bathroom, where he bent down to pick up the phone lying on the floor.

The number flashing on the screen made his fingers tighten around the device. He hesitated for a moment before finally answering.

“Percival, where the hell have you been? How dare you ignore my calls?” a furious woman’s voice shrieked from the other end.

Percival’s large hand gripped the phone firmly, his knuckles whitening.

“What do you want?” he asked, his tone icy, detached.

His indifferent response only fueled the woman’s rage.

Her voice sharpened as she snapped, “What do I want? Is that the only time I can call you? Or have you deluded yourself into thinking you’re above me now? If you still recognize me as your mother, you’ll drag yourself to my apartment this instant.”

Percival let out another low laugh, but this time it carried a hollow, desolate edge.

“You’ve always despised the Stewart family. Why marry my father in the first place? Just because you’re my biological mother, I’ve tolerated your behavior. But this is the last time. From now on, don’t push your luck.” His voice was a steady warning, cold and deliberate.

The woman’s fury only deepened at his words, her tone turning razor-sharp.

“Is that how you talk to me? What, you think being close to death gives you a free pass to disrespect me?” she sneered.

“Then again, I suppose it’s fitting. The Stewart family has always been a wretched bunch, and none of you deserve a good end. But before you die, you’ll drag yourself here!” she demanded with venom.

Percival’s grip on the phone grew so tight his knuckles turned bloodless, trembling with restrained fury.

He closed his eyes slowly, suppressing the storm inside, and without another word, ended the call.

The phone clattered onto the table as he tossed it aside, his focus already shifting. He moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, his tall frame casting a shadow against the glass.

Percival knew. The poison in his veins had reached its breaking point. It wouldn’t be long before it tore through his skin, ravaging what little remained intact.

And with it, his end drew nearer, inch by inexorable inch.

“Callum,” he muttered under his breath.

Just as the name escaped his lips, Callum rushed into the room, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the state Percival was in.

“Mr. Stewart… I’m going to get Odalys,” Callum stammered, visibly shaken.

He had seen Percival go through these episodes before. Every time, it nearly cost him his life. Without the medicine from the Lark family, he would have been dead long ago. No ordinary person could endure such pain.

Childbirth was a walk in the park compared to the suffering Percival endured with his condition. It was far more

dangerous than anyone could imagine, and it recurred every week.

Callum had already feared that Percival wouldn’t survive this month, and now, with the poison rapidly progressing, it seemed as though there was no hope left.

Chapter 252

“Don’t look for her. The medicine she gave me… it’s probably reached its limit,” Percival said, pulling Callum’s arm back.

Callum stood trembling, unable to meet Percival’s eyes. His heart ached as he saw the man who once commanded everything, whose brilliance and power had bent the world to his will, now helpless in the face of his own illness.

It was too much for Callum to bear, and for a moment, he thought he might collapse right there.

“Remember my previous instructions,” Percival’s voice was hoarse. “If I die, take care of Grandpa. Seal off all

information. The moment they know I’m dead, they’ll come after his life.”

He paused, gathering strength to continue. “Grandpa’s old. He’s given everything for the Stewart family. He doesn’t deserve to die in shame.”

“And about Odalys… when I’m gone, erase any trace of her having married me. Make sure no one links her to the Stewart family. No matter what happens, if she needs it, the Stewart family must protect her, no questions asked.” His words felt like a death sentence.

He knew his body was breaking down. After so many years of abuse, it had reached its limits. Even the strongest bodies couldn’t withstand that kind of destruction forever.

“Mr. Stewart, don’t say that! Odalys… didn’t she say she could keep you from dying?” Callum’s voice cracked in panic. He wanted to support Percival, to do something, but there was nothing he could do.

In the face of death, helplessness swallowed them both. Desperation mixed with uncertainty as Callum struggled to understand how to fix this.

“She said she could keep me alive for another month,” Percival muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Well, half of that month is already gone. So, I have less than two weeks to live. And tonight, with the poison flaring up again, I think this is the night where fate seals my end.” Percival’s body was betraying him. “If I make it through tonight, I’ll be bedridden, unconscious, or worse, until the end.”

He spoke in a voice heavy with finality, but beneath it all, there was the sorrow of a man who wasn’t ready to leave the world behind.

Barely in his twenties, he had so much left undone. People to protect, things to achieve. He had dreamed of a life with Odalys, but now… it was impossible.

She was like the moon-beautiful, distant, and untouchable. He had no right to pull her into his world of pain.

His only hope now was to protect her by erasing all ties to the Stewart family once he was gone. To make it as though she had never existed in his life.

He had prepared everything for her, every possible escape. But he had never prepared for his own departure.

For him, once he was gone, nothing would matter.

“Percival!” Callum’s voice broke, hoarse with grief. He had never called him by his first name before; it felt like an acknowledgment that everything was falling apart. Hearing his cry, Percival’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. Orson will be here soon.”

Callum turned away, not wanting to face Percival any longer. He dashed downstairs, his mind racing.

When he reached the dining room, he found it empty, no sign of Odalys. Panic clawed at him as he bolted upstairs, hammering on Odalys’s door.

“Odalys? Are you there? Something’s happened,” he called, his voice trembling. But there was no answer. After a brief silence, he pushed the door open, heart racing.

The room was eerily empty. He stepped toward the bathroom, but the steam wasn’t thick, meaning Odalys hadn’t come back to shower. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

“Odalys… where are you?” His voice cracked, desperation overtaking him.

He scanned the room frantically before rushing downstairs. As he passed the servants carrying coffee upstairs, he grabbed one by the arm. “Did you see Mrs. Stewart?” Callum’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately grabbed his phone and pulled up the villa’s surveillance footage.

He saw Odalys walking upstairs right after Percival, taking something from her room, and leaving in a hurry.

“That bottle… it looks like it might contain some kind of medicine,” Orson’s voice came from behind him, startling him.

Turning, Callum saw Orson standing there, his expression grim. He paused the video and whispered, “Vvenomroot?” “Could be, but it’s too unclear to tell. Have you seen Percival?” Orson’s voice was soft, almost as if he was afraid of the answer.

Callum shook his head. “I haven’t seen him since… he was in his room when I came up here.” Orson’s face drained of color as he processed what Callum said. He gripped the railing with white knuckles.

“It seems… it seems he won’t make it through tonight,” Orson muttered, the weight of the truth settling in. Percival’ s body had endured too much. If the illness struck again, there would be no coming back.

Callum stared at the screen, his mind reeling. He couldn’t bring himself to knock on Percival’s door. It felt like a line had been crossed-one that neither of them could return from.

“Odalys left in such a rush… where did she go? Can we find her? You said she knows a lot about traditional medicine. Maybe she has a way to save him,” Callum said, nearly begging.

Orson looked at the footage, his gaze darkening. “If she wanted to save him, she wouldn’t have left. Don’t forget who Odalys is-she’s no fool. She knows exactly what’s going on. If she’s gone, then it’s clear she doesn’t intend to come back.

“Think about it, Callum. If she wanted to help, she wouldn’t have walked away. And now, we can’t even find her.” Callum’s fingers trembled as he pulled out his phone to dial Odalys’s number.

But then, the sound of a ringing phone from Odalys’s room stopped him in his tracks. He turned quickly and pushed the door open. Her phone was on the bed, charging. “Odalys didn’t take her phone,” Callum muttered, his hand tightening around his own phone. Without it, they had no way to reach her.

“I have to go find her,” Callum said, determined to act.

Orson grabbed his arm, holding him back. “We need to stabilize Percival’s condition first. If we can keep him calm, there might still be a chance.”

Callum paused, then nodded reluctantly.

Silence filled the air as both men grappled with the crushing reality.

Odalys had disappeared without a trace, and now…

They were powerless to change what was happening.

In the face of death, all they could do was watch as everything slowly crumbled.

Chapter 253

How bitterly ironic it was that this would happen to them. “Alright, I’ll listen to you,” Callum murmured, nodding slightly. As they stepped outside, a sudden crash of thunder split the air. The sky above was consumed by swirling black clouds, casting an eerie darkness over the entire Stewart Villa.

“What in the world is happening?” The bodyguards downstairs were equally startled.

Orson and Callum rushed toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching in disbelief as dark clouds seemed to envelop only the Stewart Villa, while lightning struck relentlessly outside, never touching the villa directly.

They exchanged glances, anxiety gripping them, before hurrying toward Percival’s room.

As they pushed open the door, a burst of force blasted them backward, sending them flying out of the room with a deafening slam.

Both of them screamed in pain as they were thrown across the hallway. The door slammed shut with another violent thud.

Orson and Callum stared in shock, their minds struggling to make sense of what just happened.

“Did we just get thrown out?” Orson muttered in disbelief. Callum, shaken but determined, rose to his feet and tried to enter again. But as he reached the door, the same invisible force struck him, sending him tumbling back out.

The door slammed shut once more, and now, no matter how hard he pushed, the door wouldn’t budge.

“There’s something inside… a force that’s pushing me out. I can’t get in, and I can’t even open the door!” Callum grunted, struggling against the door, but it wouldn’t move.

Orson, ever the calm one, suggested, “Let’s go outside and get a clearer view of what’s happening.”

The force inside the room was overwhelming, like an unyielding wall, and they knew it wasn’t a coincidence that lightning was flashing violently around the villa.

“Alright,” Callum said, giving a quick nod.

Together, they rushed downstairs, where the guards and servants stood, watching the sky above the Stewart Villa grow ever darker, thick clouds clinging to the very top of the mansion.

The lightning cracked above, striking with increasing intensity, as though the heavens themselves were targeting the villa.

Another massive thunderclap echoed through the air, lighting up the night. But there were no stars, no moon- only a thick, impenetrable darkness, as though the sky itself had shut out the world.

“Dorian?” Orson looked around, confused.

“Dorian? When Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Stewart returned, Mrs. Stewart spoke with Dorian, and he left with some of the guards,” one of the servants quickly reported.

Orson’s heart sank, a sense of dread pooling in his chest. A car suddenly appeared, speeding toward them. Evander, stepping out, looked up at the storm above, his body trembling slightly from the intensity of the moment.

“This dark cloud… it’s only covering the top of the Stewart Villa. Everything around it is normal. What’s going on?” His voice was strong but laced with an edge of concern.

After his call with Odalys had ended without a reply, a nagging sense of unease had taken hold of him. His instincts told him something was wrong, so he had rushed here as quickly as possible.

But nothing could have prepared him for the scene unfolding before him: the entire villa was shrouded in darkness, lightning crashing down with terrifying force.

“Just now…” Callum recounted everything that had happened.

Evander, after hearing it, remained unnervingly calm. He stood still, eyes scanning the villa as he murmured, “Odalys must have sent Dorian out on an errand. After dinner, she left in a hurry.”

“The storm, the lightning-it’s too sudden, too violent. It’s as though it’s aimed at the Stewart Villa.” Evander’s voice was low but certain.

Though he was older and had seen many strange things in his life, this moment still left him shaken. But experience had taught him to adapt quickly.

“Evander, what do we do? I can’t reach Odalys,” Callum asked urgently.

Evander closed his eyes, clasping his hands behind his back, and sighed deeply. “We wait.”

“Wait? Wait for who?” Callum asked, confused.

Orson, who had been quietly observing, suddenly spoke. This… this feels like something Odalys would do. She left in such a rush, and now there’s lightning striking around the villa. It’s as if she’s controlling it, or at least, it’s responding to her presence.

He had come to respect Odalys deeply. Though they hadn’t known each other for long, Orson had quickly realized she wasn’t someone who viewed life lightly.

She had managed Percival’s illness-how could she suddenly leave without doing something? If she had truly left, why hadn’t she taken her phone? If she was the type to abandon someone in need, then why had Percival trusted her so much?

The pieces were starting to fall into place.

“Could it be Odalys…” Callum stuttered in realization.

Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, a sudden flash of golden light exploded in the sky, and with a resounding crash, the storm clouds surrounding the villa seemed to shatter.

The air grew still, and the world returned to an eerie calm. Servants and bodyguards, who had been frantically trying to record the event on their phones, looked down in surprise as their screens went black.

“My phone’s broken,” one of them muttered.

“Mine too,” said another, shaking his head. Callum and Orson turned their heads in disbelief, only to see Odalys walking back toward them, her long black hair flowing in the wind, her steps hurried, yet composed.

“Odalys?” Callum gasped, barely able to believe his eyes. She was empty-handed now. The bottle that she had been carrying was gone, but her expression was grim, her pace unbroken. Behind her trailed Dorian and several others, their clothes torn and singed, like they’d been through hell. “Odalys!” Callum rushed forward, eager to reach her, but Odalys didn’t stop. She walked right past them and into the Stewart Villa, her face as dark as a storm cloud.

Orson grabbed Callum’s arm to stop him.

“Don’t follow her,” Orson warned quietly, shaking his head. Evander, watching the scene unfold, remained still, his gaze focused on Odalys as she moved swiftly, unnoticed by the others who were too distracted by their phones.

“Wait,” Evander murmured again.

It was a single word, but it settled over Callum like a calming weight. He paused, then, in an uncharacteristic moment of self-awareness, slapped himself hard across the face.

“What was I doing? So frantic, so impatient. I should have trusted Odalys. She wouldn’t have left Percival to fend for himself.” He slapped himself again, more forcefully this time.

His panic had clouded his judgment. He had been so focused on finding Odalys, so fearful of Percival’s fate, that he had failed to see the bigger picture.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Odalys had been the one with the answers all along.

Chapter 254

It seemed that Evander wasn’t the only one growing anxious.

“Enough. Stop causing a scene. Let’s assess the situation first,” Orson muttered, his nerves clearly frayed.

The air was thick with tension, and something about the atmosphere felt off. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this might be related to Percival’s condition.

“By the way, Evander, what brought you here so suddenly?” Orson asked, curious despite his unease.

Evander stood tall, his expression serious as he furrowed his brow.

“At first, Odalys sent me a message saying she wanted to talk over WhatsApp. But when I messaged her, she didn’t reply. Was her asking to talk on WhatsApp just a ruse?” His voice grew sharper as realization dawned. “She didn’t respond, and I assumed something was wrong, so I rushed here.”

Orson fell silent. He watched Evander carefully, then glanced toward Odalys, who was making her way back. Odalys suspected that there were some shady figures around the Stewart Villa,” he said in a low voice. “I had looked into it with Percival, and aside from his mother, we couldn’t find any other traces. It’s clear someone has been deliberately covering their tracks.

“Do you think Odalys was worried about being monitored, that’s why she didn’t reply to you?” Orson asked.

Evander didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the direction of his car.

“Callum, check the car. See if there’s a tracker on it,” he instructed, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of tension.

Orson’s words had triggered something in Evander’s mind. Odalys wouldn’t have intentionally ignored him unless something serious was going on.

She must have known that by bringing him here, she would draw him into whatever danger was lurking.

“Got it.” Callum’s face tightened, and he quickly moved toward the car.

A few moments later, he slid under the vehicle and froze. There’s something here,” he said, his voice grim. He pointed to a small red blinking light underneath the car.

“Damn it, there really is something!” Orson swore, his face a picture of disbelief.

Evander stood there, his figure imposing and resolute. He shook his head slowly. “Don’t remove it. Leave it. I want to see who’s bold enough to put a tracker on my car.”

“It seems Odalys knew this would happen,” Evander muttered. “She must have suspected something and wanted me here for a reason.”

Callum nodded, his expression dark, as they all turned their attention back to the Stewart Villa.

The night had grown unnervingly dark, with the streets barely illuminated by the dim glow of the street lamps. It felt like the very air was heavy with anticipation.

Just then, the sound of a fast-approaching car broke the silence. The bodyguards tried to stop it, but as they saw the license plate, they instinctively stepped aside. With a screech of tires, a black Rolls Royce came to a halt. The door swung open, and a woman in a long dress, her hair pinned up in an intricate style, stepped out. She exuded an aura of aristocratic elegance, her every move as poised as it was deliberate.

A subtle floral fragrance lingered in the air as she approached, her lips painted in a deep shade of red, her eyes sharp and piercing.

“What are you doing here?” Evander’s voice instantly dropped in temperature, his face hardening.

Orson and Callum exchanged glances, their unease mounting. The woman was wearing high heels, striding towards them with purposeful steps until she stood directly before Evander.

“Evander, this is the Stewart Villa,” she said, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m here to see my son. Are you really going to stop me?”

Evander’s eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening as he took in her haughty demeanor.

The pieces of the puzzle suddenly clicked into place.

Odalys had deliberately stoked his worry, knowing he’d rush here tonight, and tonight of all nights, Percival was in danger. And who else could stand in Edie’s way if not him?

He stood firm, blocking her path. The air around him seemed to thicken with his unyielding presence. For a moment, Edie seemed to falter, taken aback by the force of his stance. She took a half step back, but then, with a sneer, she tried to push forward again.

“What if I don’t let you through?” Evander’s words were a cold challenge, his eyes flashing with barely contained fury. Edie stopped in her tracks, her lips curling into a defiant smirk. But before she could speak, Evander raised a hand, signaling Callum and Orson.

“Take her down,” he said, his voice firm.

“You dare?” Edie scoffed, her eyes flashing with contempt. She stepped forward as if to charge into the Stewart Villa, but before she could take more than a couple of steps, Orson and Callum were on her, holding her shoulders firmly. Edie struggled, but suddenly, a gleam of steel flashed in her hand-she had drawn a dagger. Without warning, she slashed at Callum’s throat. He recoiled, narrowly avoiding the strike, taking a half step back in alarm.

“I’ll make sure none of you stop me!” she hissed, the blade pressing dangerously against her own neck. “If I don’t see my son, I’ll slit my throat right here, right in front of all of you. Let’s see if you can live with yourselves after killing a widow.”

The blood-red gleam of the knife reflected the cold, distant light.

Her defiant gaze swept across them, daring them to act. Her words, though dramatic, held a terrifying truth. They couldn’t let her die-she was Percival’s mother. Edie knew this and dared use this as leverage.

But Evander wasn’t fazed. “Percival’s barely hanging on, and you’re still causing trouble?” His voice cracked like thunder as his hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles white. Edie didn’t flinch. She continued her relentless march towards the Villa, walking as though she owned the world. The audacity of her movements seemed to mock them. Evander took a step forward, closing the gap between them. In a flash, he grabbed a brick from the ground and swung it at her head.

The sound of the impact was deafening. Edie stumbled, her hand flying to her forehead as blood began to seep from the wound. She stared, wide-eyed, as the warm liquid dripped down her face.

“Blood?” she gasped. “I’m bleeding? You… you dared to hit me?”

Her grip on the dagger wavered, trembling as she looked at him in shock and disbelief.

Evander lowered his gaze to the brick in his hand, his voice low and mocking. “What’s the big deal? Just a little blood? Are you going to die over that?”

He raised an eyebrow as he met her furious glare. “You think I’m scared of you just because you’re holding a knife to your own throat?”

He chuckled, a cold, biting sound. “They’re worried about you. They’re worried you might die. But me? I couldn’t care less if you slit your throat right here. If that’s what it takes to stop this charade, go ahead. You’ll have your little tragedy,’ but don’t think for a second that anyone here will mourn.

His words were venomous, his gaze unwavering as he watched her hold her bleeding forehead. The sight of her shock was almost pitiful under the cold moonlight.

“How about you take your own life, then?” he sneered. Percival will be dead by the end of tonight. Why don’t you join him? You’d be doing us all a favor.”

Orson stood a few paces away, his breath held in suspense as he watched the scene unfold. He had expected Odalys to be the one who could handle this situation, but it was clear now that only Evander could truly control this chaos. “You’re…” Edie’s voice trembled, her anger bubbling over, but she was visibly shaken. “I respected you as an elder. I never thought you’d wish me dead!”

But it was too late for regrets.

Chapter 255

Evander stood there, his eyes sharp with contempt, as Edie, dagger in hand, lunged at him. He let out a cold laugh.

“Think anyone’s going to stop you? Look around. Who’s blocking your way? If you want to do it, then hurry up. Don’t waste my time,” he taunted.

As Edie thrust the knife forward, Orson moved to intervene, but Evander remained unfazed. He swung the brick with ease, and just as Edie dodged, he swiftly kicked her foot, causing her to stumble.

“Ah!” Edie cried out in surprise, and in an instant, her body crashed to the ground. The bodyguards surrounded her, but none dared to help her up.

“You…” Edie seethed, staring in disbelief at Evander. “I’m Percival’s mother, and you dare lay a hand on me?”

She had been used to doing as she pleased within the Stewart family, with Evander always silent, never standing in her way.

But tonight, he had struck her. The audacity! This wasn’t the rich, refined Evander she had come to know. No, tonight, he was acting like a thug.

With great effort, Edie pushed herself off the ground. Orson, seeing her struggle, quickly stepped forward to offer assistance. “Ms. Simpson, do you need help with that wound?” he asked, using the formal title.

The words stung. No one in the Stewart family had called her by her name since her husband’s death; it seemed she was no longer part of their world.

Even Percival refused to meet with her. Edie slapped his hand away and kicked off her high heels, storming barefoot toward the Stewart Villa.

Inside the Stewart Villa, second floor, Odalys entered Percival’s room, her face dark, as the room was suffused with wicked energy so thick it seemed to suffocate the air. With a swift motion of her hand, she sent the vile energy flying out of the window.

The bulletproof glass shattered, and the wicked energy dissipated into the night.

Odalys stepped forward and saw Percival sitting on the edge of the bed, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white, veins bulging from his arms. His eyes were bloodshot, consumed by the agony he was enduring.

“Let’s go,” Percival rasped, his voice hoarse with pain. Odalys didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she reached into her pocket, retrieving the snake’s heart she had harvested from the island.

The heart glowed with a faint golden light, as if it radiated its own ethereal aura.

“Percival,” she called softly, her voice tender, and Percival’s bloodshot eyes met hers.

As their gazes locked, she gently pressed the heart to his forehead. He froze, feeling her delicate touch against his burning skin.

Percival coughed a few times, but before he could pull away, Odalys’s hand gripped his arm, holding him firm, while the other pressed against his waist. Then, with surprising strength, she lifted him and tossed him onto the bed.

The impact was soft but powerful. Percival’s towering frame bounced slightly, and Odalys stood above him, her hair flowing wildly around her face.

With a practiced motion, she placed her fingers on his forehead and traced a line down the bridge of his nose, across his throat, and finally to his chest.

She pressed firmly against his chest, and with a violent slap, the venomroot from her palm fused with his skin, forcing its deadly power into his bloodstream.

As soon as it entered, Percival’s throat tightened, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

The blood pooled on the floor, staining the carpet as Percival fell forward, gasping for air.

Odalys stood there, watching him cough until his blood turned a darker shade.

She quickly grabbed a bathrobe from a nearby chair and draped it over him, her movements swift and deliberate.

“How do you feel?” Odalys asked, bending down to help him sit up.

Percival blinked, confused. As he looked at his body, he

realized there were no signs of injury, no marks, no ruptured skin-only the blood he had just expelled. It was as though the poison had been purged from his system.

“What just happened?” Percival asked, his voice hoarse, still reeling from the shock.

Odalys took a deep breath, relieved. She touched his forehead to check his temperature, then felt his pulse to ensure his body was stable. Satisfied, she sat beside him on the bed.

“I told you earlier,” she began softly. “The wicked energy from the Stewart family is gone. It’s all now gathering in the Bennett family. When you went to Bennett Villa, you were affected by it, and the poison you were already fighting began to react. The wicked energy sped up the process, nearly killing you.”

She paused, reflecting on how she had sensed something was wrong after their meal.

As soon as she had a moment, she had prepared the venomroot and other herbs, drawing upon Percival’s energy to create a channel for the lightning.

By calling the storm’s energy and focusing it on the snake’s heart, she had forced the venomroot into his body at just the right moment, pushing the poison out.

“The blood you coughed up-it’s the poison being forced out,” Odalys continued, her voice tinged with frustration. You probably thought you were done for, didn’t you? Ready to sacrifice yourself? If I hadn’t come in when I did, you would have let go, wouldn’t you?”

Percival was silent, guilt weighing heavily on him. He had been prepared to die, to give up and end it all. The realization made him feel small, vulnerable.

“Don’t even think about it, Percival,” Odalys said sharply, her eyes narrowing. “You’re not dying on my watch. Not without my permission.”

Her eyes burned with a fierce intensity as she glared at him. Her next words were soft but deadly serious.

“The venomroot I injected into you will make you feel sick over the next few days. It’ll make your body feel like it’s boiling, but you must endure. The lightning that struck that wood-the lightning will purify you, cleanse every impurity in your blood, and restructure your cells.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small carved block of wood, shaped and engraved with a single character: Percival. The symbol was vibrant, almost alive, as though it pulsed with an otherworldly energy.

“Take this with you,” she said, handing him the small wooden charm. “It’s made from lightning-struck wood. This kind of wood is rare, and it holds power. Keep it with you at all times.”

Percival took the charm, feeling its weight in his hand, and glanced at the intricate character carved on its surface.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice still rasping but full of quiet emotion.

He grasped the charm tightly in his palm, the warmth of it grounding him in that moment.

It felt as if the symbol itself was embedded in his soul.

Chapter 256

“It’s okay. Trouble was knocking at your door. Before it happened, I lured your grandpa over here,” Odalys said, lifting her gaze toward the floor-to-ceiling window and gesturing for Percival to look as well.

Percival rose from his seat, casually tying the robe draped over his shoulders as he approached the window.

In the courtyard of Stewart Villa, Edie appeared, clutching her forehead as blood streamed down her face. Two bodyguards held her firmly and then dragged her away. “I didn’t expect your grandpa to act so decisively. He grabbed a brick, hit her over the head, and then had her dragged off,” Odalys said indifferently.

Percival lingered by the window for a moment before shifting his gaze back to her. “You knew she’d come?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.

With her arms crossed over her chest, Odalys stood by the window, staring into the distance. Faintly, Edie’s gut- wrenching screams could still be heard.

The next second, Evander strode forward, pulling something out and shoving it into Edie’s mouth.

Her screams were abruptly swallowed by the night as the bodyguards dragged her off, leaving a pool of blood on the ground.

“If she didn’t come, how else would she gather information about you?” Odalys said, her voice calm. “Every doctor has predicted you won’t survive another month. It’s been over two weeks now, and whether you’re alive or dead is very valuable information.

“I figured if Mr. Stewart showed up, she’d follow. That’s why I staged all this. The moment Mr. Stewart refused to let her upstairs, it confirmed the rumor that you’re on your deathbed.”

“By the way,” she added, lowering her voice, “she’s your mother. Watching your grandpa beat her like that, aren’t you concerned?”

Odalys studied him closely, waiting to see if Percival would soften because of Edie’s identity.

“If she had anything to do with my father’s death,” Percival said in a low, steady voice, “then my grandpa’s hit was far too merciful.”

Odalys froze, caught off guard by his response.

Before she could fully recover, Percival turned to her, his expression serious. “She’s arrogant, conceited, and reckless. You don’t need to stoop to her level.”

“I won’t allow her to bother you again. If she ever tries to trouble or bully you, you have my permission to take whatever measures you need to protect yourself,” he said firmly.

For the first time, Odalys felt someone stand up for her. “Any measures?” she asked after a brief pause. “What if I lose my temper and kill her on the spot?”

Their eyes locked. Percival’s deep, magnetic voice broke the silence. “That’s fine.”

Odalys didn’t respond, sinking into quiet contemplation. As they spoke, the door suddenly burst open.

Evander barged in, followed closely by Orson and Callum. They hurried inside, only to stop dead in their tracks when they saw Odalys and Percival standing side by side by the window, speaking in hushed tones.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Everyone stared in shock, the tension and worry draining from their faces.

Callum, caught off guard, bumped into Evander, and the two stumbled, nearly falling over.

Orson reacted quickly, grabbing both of them by their collars to steady them.

“Mr. Stewart, you’re all right?” Callum’s voice was filled with disbelief.

Callum had witnessed Percival’s poisoning firsthand, seeing him in a state that was worlds apart from what he saw now.

If he hadn’t been there himself, Callum would never have believed it.

Hearing Callum’s voice, Percival slowly turned around,

Evander strode up to him, gripping his shoulders and looking him up and down. “Good. As long as you’re okay,” Evander said, his voice choking with emotion.

Though Percival still looked pale, there was no sign of imminent death.

The room reeked of blood, a stark reminder to Evander of how close Percival had been to brushing shoulders with death just moments ago.

“Alright, you all chat. I’ll head back to my room,” Odalys said, tactfully excusing herself.

As Odalys turned to leave, Evander stepped forward, blocking her way. He gave a slight bow.

“Odalys, I really want to thank you for tonight. If it weren’t for you, I have no idea what would’ve happened,” Evander said sincerely, his tone brimming with gratitude.

Callum had already filled Evander in on everything that had transpired downstairs.

Now, seeing Percival standing here alive and well, Evander was certain it was all thanks to Odalys.

“No need. I accepted your rubies earlier, so this is just me doing my part,” Odalys replied in a low voice.

The rubies they had given her were more than enough to cover the cost of saving Percival’s life.

For Odalys, taking payment for a job and delivering results was simply a matter of principle.

“Rubies? Oh, that’s a great idea!” Evander exclaimed suddenly. He smacked his forehead as if struck by inspiration and turned to Dorian.

“Dorian, get someone to retrieve them. They’re under my pillow. Bring me 199 rubies,” he instructed with a sweeping gesture.

“Why not 200 rubies, Mr. Stewart?” Callum blurted out instinctively.

Evander, known for his generosity, had clearly chosen the number intentionally.

“Shh, I have my plan.” Evander snapped, silencing Callum with a sharp reprimand.

Odalys opened her mouth, intending to refuse the gesture, but before she could utter a word, Dorian had already rushed off.

Her protest was left unspoken, and she sighed, swallowing her words.

“By the way, what was with the thunderstorm over the Stewart Villa earlier? And why did Dorian and the other guards return with their clothes in tatters? What’s going on?” Evander asked, his curiosity piqued.

His focus had shifted entirely away from Percival and onto Odalys.

There was an undeniable intrigue about her, and the strangeness of recent events only made her seem more enigmatic.

Odalys offered a concise explanation. “It’s simple. After I returned from the Bennett Villa, I noticed Percival’s energy was unstable. I had a strong feeling he would suffer a relapse tonight. So, I instructed Dorian and his team to seal off every road around the Stewart Villa.

“I gave them talismans to place at key intersections, effectively locking down the villa. Then, I located the best spot to help Percival purge the toxins in his body. Using thunderstruck wood, I summoned lightning to strike. “When the lightning struck, it targeted the villa’s key entry points, concentrating all the negative energy in his bedroom. The lightning acted as a barrier, stabilizing Percival’s spirit, while the venomroot I previously prepared catalyzed his treatment.

“I infused the venomroot with lightning aura, channeling it into his body. It dispersed the negative energy and helped regenerate his cells.”

A heavy silence followed her explanation.

While her words made the process sound straightforward, everyone understood it was anything but.

“However,” Odalys continued, stretching her arms nonchalantly, “the poison in his body hasn’t been fully neutralized. It’s merely been suppressed for now. What happens next depends on how effectively the lightning aura integrates with his system.”

“Negative energy? Where did that come from?” Orson raised his hand timidly, breaking the silence.

Odalys glanced at Percival briefly before replying, “His prolonged illness has left his body weaker than most. I’m talking about a deficiency in positive energy.

“This makes him more susceptible to being overwhelmed by negative energy, especially when he’s on the verge of a relapse. He is so weak that the negative energy takes over, plunging him into a coma.”

“Some people mistake it for a curse, but the truth is much simpler. His frail condition makes it impossible for him to wake up normally.” Odalys concluded.

Chapter 257

“Percival is in a fragile state. If negative energy clings to him, the poison will act faster. If it weren’t for the thunderstruck wood protecting him, he probably wouldn’t have made it through the night.” Odalys stated plainly. It was the truth.

11

Evander’s eyes were bloodshot as he clutched Odalys’ hands tightly, his gray hair shimmering under the light. Without you, Percival would be gone. You’re heaven-sent to save the Stewart family.

“Percival marrying you is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to him.”

“Thank God. Yes, I’ll go buy some flowers and pray right away,” Evander said as he hurriedly turned and walked off.

He moved quickly, making a phone call as he went. “Send a car. I’m heading to the largest funeral home.”

“Yes, now, immediately!” Evander barked into the phone, rushing downstairs in a flurry.

Inside the room, Orson and Callum exchanged a glance. Percival, aside from his pale complexion, didn’t seem to be in any immediate danger.

“In that case, we’ll go accompany Mr. Stewart. You should rest,” Orson suggested.

“Yes, I’ll go help too,” Callum added, turning to leave.

Servants entered to clean the blood from the floor, lighting scented candles to mask the metallic smell. They worked swiftly, as though this was routine for them.

“Thank you for saving my life tonight,” Percival said seriously, looking at Odalys.

Odalys waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t be so formal. I’m not used to it.”

She turned to leave but stopped, glancing back at the small wooden block in Percival’s hand. In a low voice, she said, That’s a talisman drawn with my blood and magic dust.”

“It’s waterproof. You can wear it on you,” she added, closing the door behind her as she left.

Percival opened his palm, gently rubbing the small wooden piece. It still seemed to carry Odalys’ presence.

Walking to his desk, he opened a drawer, removed the string from an old talisman, threaded it through the hole in the wood, and tied it around his wrist.

Just then, his phone vibrated. Seeing the bodyguard’s number, he quickly answered, his voice low. “Hello, what is it?”

“Mr. Stewart, we’ve dragged Ms. Simpson to her car. What should we do now?” The bodyguard sounded hesitant, unsure of whether to leave her there unattended.

After a pause, Percival replied, “Leave her be.”

“Understood,” the bodyguard replied. He and his men turned and walked briskly back toward the Stewart Villa. Edie, bitten and unconscious, had been left in her car. In a daze, old memories surfaced in her mind, and she struggled against them.

She vaguely saw a figure approaching her, slow and deliberate.

“Who… who are you?” Edie murmured, struggling to move.

Still in her gown, Edie found it hard to move freely. She forced herself to her feet, her forehead crusted with dried blood, her face twisted and frightening.

She pried open the car door, gripping it for support as she stepped out.

Kicking off her high heels, Edie stood barefoot on the ground, taking slow steps forward.

“Who? Look closer,” Odalys said, tilting her head to one side.

Standing there, she smiled at Edie. As Edie got closer and finally saw her face, her eyes widened in shock, her pupils contracting.

“You… you’re Percival’s wife?” Edie stammered, not expecting to see Odalys here.

Odalys strode forward, grabbing Edie by the shoulder and shoving her back forcefully. Edie groaned in pain as she slammed into the car with a heavy thud.

Odalys stood tall, looking down at Edie’s pained expression. She reached out, lifted Edie’s chin with her fingers, and forced her to meet her gaze.

“That’s right. It’s me,” Odalys said with a low chuckle.

She gripped Edie’s chin tightly, her sharp nails digging into the delicate skin, leaving faint marks. Edie let out a muffled groan and grabbed Odalys’ wrist in an attempt to free herself.

But before she could resist further, Odalys seized her fingers and twisted them back forcefully.

“Ah!” Edie screamed in pain, cold sweat breaking out all over her body.

She glared at Odalys, shouting, “Do you even know who I am? I’m Percival’s mother!”

“Let me go this instant!” Edie demanded, trying to leverage her position.

Odalys laughed, a cold and dismissive sound, as she glanced at Edie with disdain. “You? You think just because you’re Percival’s mother, that entitles you to my respect?”

“You…” Edie stammered, unnerved by the cruel glint in Odalys’ eyes.

For a moment, she froze, overwhelmed by a primal fear. She wants to kill me? I’m her husband’s mother! This is the first time we’ve met, and not only is she not showing me any respect, but she’s also planning to kill me?’ she wondered.

Without warning, Odalys’ hand moved to Edie’s throat, her grip unrelenting as she lifted her off the ground.

“You’re close with Hannah, aren’t you?” Odalys murmured, her voice cold and menacing. “You encouraged her to abandon me when I was born, didn’t you? All those years she abused me was that your doing, too?”

Edie’s expression shifted to one of confusion as she opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out.

Odalys tightened her grip, her fingers pressing harder. Just as Edie’s breaths grew faint and her vision blurred, Odalys suddenly released her, flinging her to the side.

With a dull thud, Edie crashed into the side of the Rolls- Royce, letting out a pained grunt.

Odalys brushed her hands off as if ridding herself of something vile and then turned toward Edie, landing a hard kick to her leg. Edie whimpered and tried to scramble to her feet, her hand reaching out to claw at Odalys’ face. Before she could make contact, Odalys caught her wrist and twisted it away effortlessly.

“I don’t even know Hannah. What nonsense are you spouting?” Edie snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and fear.

Odalys shoved Edie’s hand aside and turned her back to her, walking toward the Stewart Villa without a second glance. Edie, even if you are Percival’s mother, so what?” she called over her shoulder.

“To me, you’re nothing.” With a derisive laugh, Odalys strode away, leaving Edie clutching her throat and trembling.

‘How terrifying…’ Edie thought, watching Odalys’ retreating figure with a growing sense of dread.

She had planned to intimidate Odalys, only to be humiliated and nearly strangled to death in return. ‘She’s a demon. A complete monster.’

“Unbelievable! What a bumpkin, no manners whatsoever!” Edie muttered through gritted teeth, her voice tinged with both fury and fear.

Odalys didn’t even pause or look back, her steps calm and composed.

Edie slumped back into her car and shakily dialed a number on her phone. Not long after, an ambulance arrived, and the paramedics helped her inside and whisked her off to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Odalys climbed the stairs back to the villa, her stride steady.

As she reached the landing, she spotted Percival standing there, fresh from a shower. His damp hair glistened under the lights, droplets of water sliding down his neck. He stood at the top of the stairs, gazing down at her with an unreadable expression.

Odalys arched an eyebrow.

Chapter 258

This was the Stewart family’s turf. Odalys had just gone out and confronted Edie, and Percival must have known. Odalys lowered her head and remained silent for a moment.

She spoke calmly, “Your mother and Hannah go way back. I just caught a glimpse through the floor-to-ceiling window, and I could sense there was some connection between us. I could see her hatred for me.

“That means the person who secretly pushed the Bennett family to abuse and beat me, and ultimately abandon me, was your mother, Edie.

“I’m their biological daughter. I had always wondered why the Bennett family abandoned me, even tortured me, and then cast me aside.

“Just now, when I saw your mother, I realized the reason. I understood why the woman you married ended up being me. It was all orchestrated by your mother behind the scenes.

“So, in this life, your life and death are in my hands. If I want you dead, you won’t live.” Odalys’ voice remained calm as if she were speaking about something ordinary.

Percival fell silent, then slowly stood and walked toward her.

He stopped in front of her, stood there for a long time, and then said in a deep voice, “I’ve already said this. As long as she oppresses you or goes after you, you can handle it however you want.

“I just got off the phone, and they mentioned your mother might have known Hannah from the past.

“My people have already looked into it. The year you were abandoned, my mother had a falling out with the Bennett family and cut off all contact with them. So, I never knew she had that connection with them.”

“I’m sorry that she incited the Bennett family to abuse you.” Percival’s voice was hoarse.

After he finished the call, he was eager to find her, but she was already gone. He was frantic, but as soon as he got downstairs, he happened to run into her returning.

When Percival heard Odalys’ self-mocking words just now, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

In a low voice, he said, “You don’t need to apologize for what you’ve done, and you certainly don’t need to think that I’ll take the other side because of it. I’m always on your side. It was like that before, it is like that now, and it will always be.”

He reached out, intending to pat her head, but his hand, stopped halfway through the air. After a brief silence, he slowly withdrew his hand.

“Hey, I thought you might think I’m cruel.” Odalys suddenly felt a lot lighter.

Odalys didn’t like being at odds with others. She was direct and decisive, never holding grudges. If she had an enemy, she had to settle it face to face.

When Odalys saw Edie earlier, she had already wanted to go down and teach her a lesson.

“By the way, the bodyguards sent word. Brandon wants to see you.” Percival quickly shifted the conversation to something else.

He moved aside to give her room to pass, and Odalys headed upstairs, with Percival following behind her.

“He wants to see me because he wants to figure out exactly what we know and what could work in his favor. As long as he denies everything and thinks we can’t do

anything about it…” Odalys said.

Percival murmured, “That’s why I had my people bypass him and go straight after Rafael. Maybe we can hear something different from him.”

“I think so,” Odalys replied quietly.

Their plan was to leave Brandon and Keylor in the dark, not to press them, nor interrogate them. After spending enough time in a dark basement, their mental state would begin to crack.

Eventually, Brandon and Keylor would beg them to ask questions.

Odalys was a master at psychological warfare.

“It’s getting late. You should rest,” Percival said when he noticed that Odalys seemed a little tired.

Odalys stood outside her bedroom door, pushing it open, when something seemed to come to her mind.

She peeked over at Percival and said, “By the way, tell Mr. Stewart to come home early.”

“Got it,” Percival replied in a low voice.

After Odalys closed the door behind her, Percival took out his phone and called Evander, passing on Odalys’ message to have him home early.

“Understood. I’ll be home soon,” Evander said.

After ending the call, Percival lifted his foot and headed toward the bedroom.

Once Odalys returned to her room, she went into the bathroom for a quick shower. After drying her hair, she lay down. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, her phone vibrated.

She glanced at her phone, which had been charging on the side, and, seeing it was fully charged, immediately unplugged it.

“Selah, what’s going on?” Odalys asked, her voice weary.

She wasn’t exhausted from the day’s events, but she had used magic tonight, and it drained her energy so much that she couldn’t bring herself to move.

“Odalys, did you see the news? It’s all over trending. They’re saying Mr. Stewart is dead?” Selah asked, holding her breath, speaking cautiously.

After all, the other day, when they were in the car, they had heard Odalys call out to Percival. The whole situation had stuck in their minds.

When Selah saw the trending news that Percival was dead, she immediately called Odalys.

“What? Who’s dead?” Odalys asked, her head aching, struggling to fully process the news.

‘Mr. Stewart is dead? Is it talking about Percival?’ Odalys thought.

“It’s the current head of the Stewart family, Percival. I heard he died about half an hour ago?” Selah said.

“Some people are saying that unusual things were seen over the Stewart Villa tonight, lightning flashing and dark clouds covering the sky. They say it’s a sign of Percival’s death,” Selah continued cautiously.

Selah and Francis had discussed it and decided to make the call. Francis was sitting across from her, nervously listening to their conversation.

“I’ll go check it out,” Odalys said before hanging up. Odalys picked up her phone and opened Twitter, seeing headlines like: [The Stewart family head, Percival, has passed], [Unusual phenomena above Stewart Villa at midnight], [The Stewart family’s future uncertain], [What happens to the elite family?], and [Shock! Percival, unmarried, has passed away.]

Staring at these headlines, Odalys fell silent and thought she must be seeing someone wrong. She had never seen such absurd news before.

Odalys sat up against the headboard, holding her phone, and after a while, stood up and walked next door.

She knocked on Percival’s door, which opened to reveal him holding his own phone, seemingly browsing the news. Odalys quickly extended her phone’s screen to him.

“There’s news saying you’re dead,” Odalys said, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing.

‘What will he think when he sees the news about his own death?’ she wondered.

Percival replied, “It’s something I expected. My mother suddenly showing up tonight was likely her testing whether I was really that ill. Didn’t the Bennett family already know I would die within a month?

“At first, I suspected there was a mole in the family, but later, I realized my mother was the most suspicious.

“She came tonight, not to check on me, but to confirm my condition. Plus, my grandpa, Orson, and the others all looked so anxious all evening. Later, they went to the funeral home to buy flowers.

Chapter 259

Percival began. “The paparazzi have been keeping a close eye on the Stewart family for a while now. When they rushed to the funeral home to buy flowers, it pretty much confirmed the rumors that I was dead.

“It’s no surprise that this has blown up on social media. My mother will definitely spread the news, hoping to cause chaos in the Stewart family.

“So, it’s only natural for this to make headlines,” he added as if he were talking about something completely unrelated to him, his tone flat and detached.

Odalys fell silent, unable to understand why Percival seemed so calm about the news. It appeared as though it didn’t affect him in the slightest.

“Does she really want you dead that badly?” Odalys asked, her feelings a jumbled mess.

She had thought that the Bennett family situation was bad enough, but Percival’s mother seemed even worse.

Earlier, Odalys had been abused, beaten, and ultimately abandoned. Although they later killed her, it was all because they had been manipulated. But Percival’s mother, on the other hand, seemed to want him dead at any given moment.

Percival spoke again, his voice cold. “She doesn’t care about the Stewart family at all. She even considers marrying my father a disgrace. She won’t think twice about me. She sees me as a stain on her life.

“If it weren’t for my grandfather, she probably would’ve strangled me when I was a child. I have no feelings for her, not even familial ones. I’ve barely seen her, less than I’ve interacted with you.”

Odalys was quiet, unsure of how to comfort him in that moment.

“We’re alike. Both of us were abandoned by our mothers, and in my case, she even tried to kill me. You feel nothing for Hannah, and I feel the same way about Edie,” Percival continued.

Odalys stood there, wanting to say something, but found herself at a loss for words.

“How do you plan to handle this?” she asked, pointing to the trending topic on her phone.

The entire internet was ablaze with the news, and it seemed like the whole of Crownridge might have trouble sleeping tonight, especially the people with ties to the Stewart family, those who had a stake in their power.

Even some who had previously kept a close watch on the family were now making their moves.

Percival replied, “I’m not going to do anything about it. Since the situation’s already hit the spotlight, let it ferment.

“I want to see what happens if I really end up dead, and the Stewart family is left with just my grandfather. Will people choose to side with him out of respect for the family’s past power, or will they turn on both him and the family?”

‘This way, I’ll see who’s really loyal, he wondered.

“That makes sense,” Odalys said, nodding in understanding. “No wonder this topic has stayed on the trending list without being dealt with. You want to use public opinion to clear out the parasites in the Stewart family.”

She thought to herself, ‘No wonder he’s the one pulling the strings. He can really use public opinion to his advantage. Percival seemed to be much quicker than anyone else at handling things, always choosing the path that worked best for him.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Percival said calmly.

He wasn’t trying to hide anything from her. In fact, he didn’t feel the need to.

“Alright, I’ll go get some sleep,” Odalys said, rubbing her temples, feeling a headache coming on. She was beyond exhausted.

Percival watched her as she turned to leave, then took a step to follow her.

“Can I ask you one more thing?” he asked in a low voice.

Odalys turned around, a puzzled look on her face.

“You don’t seem to care much for money, but you really like rubies. Why is that?” Percival asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Earlier, when Odalys received the ruby, her face lit up with excitement. Percival found it hard to understand.

Odalys had thought he was about to ask something important, but instead, he wanted to know about this.

“My mentor likes rubies and wants them to accompany him when he passes away, and the rubies that I earned using my magic,” Odalys explained.

Perhaps for others, planning something before actually dying might seem a bit absurd.

But Odalys understood it completely and accepted it without hesitation, seeing it as part of her goal.

“Understood,” Percival said in a low voice.

Odalys yawned, then turned and walked toward her room. Once inside, she quickly fell asleep.

However, Percival couldn’t sleep. Her words kept echoing in his mind as he picked up his phone and dialed Callum. “Mr. Stewart, is something wrong?” Callum asked beside the truck before the funeral home, signaling the owner to load the flowers onto it.

Outside, some people were lingering from a distance, and Callum even spotted a few paparazzi snapping pictures. “Tomorrow, once the bank opens, go and pick up 80,000 rubies,” Percival said, his voice steady.

Callum slid into the driver’s seat and closed the door, worried someone outside might hear him. When he slammed the door shut, he thought he had misheard. “80,000? What do you need them for?” Callum asked, confused.

He scratched his head, the confusion in his eyes almost spilling over.

He had followed Percival for years and seen all sorts of before. things, but Callum had never heard Percival want rubies

For Callum, ladies usually would like rubies.

“Just get them and bring them back,” Percival ordered.

Callum lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, then muttered, Mr. Stewart, did you see the trending topic? Do you want to handle it?”

“No need to handle it. Buy some fake accounts to push the trending topic further,” Percival replied calmly.

Callum fell silent, thinking, ‘This trending topic already has so much attention. Does he really need me to buy fake accounts? The whole world is watching it. Every post about Percival’s death or the Stewart family’s end has billions of views.

“Got it,” Callum responded quietly.

After hanging up, Callum kept scratching his head, smoking angrily as the thoughts spun in his mind.

His phone vibrated. The WhatsApp messages had already piled up into the thousands, all asking about Percival’s condition. Everyone wanted to know what had happened to the Stewart family.

Some paparazzi even offered him hundreds of thousands of dollars just to find out whether Percival was actually dead.

“This is crazy,” Callum muttered, leaning back in his seat. After finishing his cigarette, he saw a massive group of reporters swarming toward the funeral home, all pretending to buy flowers.

They kept stealing glances at Callum.

This was the first time the funeral home owner had ever seen so many people come in the middle of the night to buy flowers, and they were all buying in bulk.

Earlier, the shop’s entire stock of flowers had been sold out, and even the neighboring store had run out. The buyer was purchasing enough to fill a truck. The owner even doubted his eyes.

“I’m sorry, but all the flowers were bought by this customer. We’re out of stock,” the owner said with a bitter smile.

The owner regretted it now. He wanted to make money, but he was too helpless. His new stock was too limited.

“Why is ‘The Stewart Family’ engraved on the wrapping paper?” someone asked, testing the waters.

Everyone’s eyes lit up like they had found something important.

A few bolder guys immediately pulled out their phones to take pictures of the wrapping paper, even snapping selfies to prove they were really buying flowers there.

“Hey, you can’t take photos of these! They shouldn’t be exposed!” the owner shouted in frustration, marching toward the group.

Chapter 260

The bodyguards moved forward, pushing the crowd aside. After loading up the last of the cargo onto the truck, Callum flicked the cigarette butt from his fingers and drove off, quickly disappearing into the distance.

The truck Callum was driving prominently displayed the Stewart Group logo.

Their actions clearly signaled to everyone that this was a Stewart family truck. The driver was Percival’s assistant, and the bodyguards were also from the Stewart family. They wore suits, and with sleeve garters on their arms, all emblazoned with the Stewart family logo.

These details were enough to leave the reporters stunned. They eagerly snapped photos with their cameras and phones, chasing after the truck in an attempt to interview someone. Callum, however, pressed the gas pedal to the floor.

“Honestly… such reckless idiots,” Callum muttered with a sense of helplessness.

Not only were the paparazzi tailing his truck, but there were also plenty of them lining the streets. For the first time, Callum truly felt what it was like to be pursued by thousands.

“Are you being watched?” Orson called in.

Callum immediately switched the call to video mode. Upon seeing the throng of people trailing Callum, Orson swore loudly, “Damn,” and hung up the phone.

*****

Morning light poured in through the window.

It was rare for Odalys to sleep in. She lay on her side in bed, watching the sunlight filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. After a long pause, she reached for her phone and saw numerous missed calls.

“Freya, what’s going on?” Odalys returned the call.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Freya’s voice, quieter than usual, responded. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Odalys said, confused.

She quickly got out of bed, clearly puzzled by Freya’s words.

“I saw the trending topic,” Freya continued softly. “Odalys, the Stewart family situation is a bit complicated. Don’t trust everything the media is saying.”

Odalys sat down, resting her face against her knees, and let out a laugh.

“Freya, when did you become so cautious?” she teased, making her way toward the bathroom. “Want to come by my studio later?”

“Really? Where? Send me the location,” Freya responded, suddenly animated, almost eager to meet.

“Sure,” Odalys replied quietly.

After getting ready, Odalys opened her wardrobe and picked out a pair of camouflage cargo pants, pairing them with a white T-shirt. She slipped into her black combat boots and walked down the stairs with a sharp, confident stride.

“Mrs. Stewart, you’re awake?” Dorian was downstairs, tidying up.

Hearing the footsteps, he looked up, and as soon as he saw Odalys descending the stairs, he hurried to meet her. “Where’s Percival?” Odalys asked, looking around the living room in confusion.

Dorian’s smile widened, and he couldn’t hide his amusement. To him, it seemed like Percival and Odalys were inseparable, practically glued at the hip.

“Mr. Stewart had to leave early at six this morning for something. He specifically told us to make sure you ate breakfast before going out. He’s worried you might skip it and it’ll affect your health,” Dorian explained, the gleam in his eyes impossible to miss.

Odalys fell silent.

She had been about to grab the car keys and leave right then.

“Alright, I’ll have a little something,” Odalys said, setting the car keys aside.

The servant immediately brought in a lavish breakfast, filling the entire table. After finishing her meal, Odalys grabbed the car keys and headed out, driving toward the company.

Suddenly, the car ahead slammed on its brakes. Startled, Odalys quickly swerved the wheel to avoid a collision. Odalys rolled down the car window, faintly hearing the conversation from the car next to hers. She wasn’t fond of gossip about Star readings, but since they were talking about the Stewart family, she instinctively turned her head to listen.

“Did you hear? Mr. Stewart’s mother was apparently hit on the head. She was rushed to the hospital by ambulance last night,” one of the voices said.

“That’s nonsense. How could that be? She must have been so heartbroken over her son’s death that she fell down the stairs and hit her head,” another voice responded.

“Paparazzi caught her being pulled out of the Stewart Villa by ambulance in the middle of the night. Looks like Mr. Stewart must have really passed away,” someone else added.

“I wonder what the Bennett family is up to. I’ve heard whispers that the Bennett family’s daughter married Mr. Stewart. Now, the only ones tied to the Stewart family are the Bennett Group, right?”

“Are you saying the Bennett family is going to make a comeback?”

“That’s what I think. The Bennett Group was on the brink of collapse. With Mr. Stewart gone, all that wealth is obviously going to go to his wife.”

“His wife? Sophia, right? I heard she was in a hotel with Finnian recently. And she’s been involved with all those men on that variety show.”

“Exactly. After all, with Mr. Stewart likely dead, he must have been too weak. She couldn’t help but feel lonely.”

As they discussed these, other drivers quickly got out of their cars, lit cigarettes, and stood nearby, occasionally chiming in with their gossip.

Most of them were businesspeople. They pretended to be interested in the gossip but were really trying to gather useful information for their own benefit.

Odalys couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Last night, Edie had been struck on the head by a brick thrown by Evander. Odalys never imagined the situation would be twisted into something so glamorous.

After the car in front of her pulled away, Odalys slammed her foot down on the gas pedal.

She drove to Cloushine Zone One, an area in the east of the city, more isolated and quiet than the rest. The area was mostly made up of residential villas, and she had rented the first shop there.

The sign for Magic Entertainment was proudly displayed, gleaming brightly.

On either side of the shop were flower arrangements. From a distance, Odalys spotted Selah and Francis, dressed casually, holding confetti cannons. As soon as they saw Odalys get out of the car, they quickly walked over to greet her.

“Odalys, don’t you think this is a bit too low-key? I thought this was a company, but it’s just a store?” Selah asked nervously.

Francis took off his sunglasses, his expression much lighter than before. Perhaps with the danger now behind him and no more contractual restraints, he had been able to sleep better and felt more energized.

“Yeah, it’s just for Star readings. No need to be so big,” Odalys said with a smile.

Running a Star readings business and opening a shop was a luxury. She had considered just setting up a stall, but for long-term growth, she decided a store would be the better choice.

“So what should we do now?” Selah asked.

Just as she spoke, a Ferrari sped toward them, its engine roaring. Freya, wearing shorts and a loose top, holding a bouquet of flowers, jumped out of the car.

“I ordered some decorations. They’ll be delivered soon. Odalys, congratulations on your store opening,” Freya said, panting.

She walked up to Odalys and handed her the flowers,

watching as Odalys held out the confetti cannon.

“Go ahead, let’s set off the confetti cannon,” Odalys whispered.

Bang! In front of Magic Entertainment, the previously quiet street suddenly erupted into noise. Many passersby instinctively turned their heads to look.

[Magic Entertainment is now open. Enjoy free Star readings three times every day. Come on down!] Odalys posted on Twitter, attaching a photo she had taken when she got out of the car.

“I’m in,” Selah said, seeing the post.

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