Chapter 341

“It was your own malicious actions that led to this backlash. Why are you trying to shift the blame?” Percival’s low voice broke the tense silence.

His voice startled Edie into momentary silence. She jerked her head up, locking eyes with his piercing gaze. Her lips trembled as fear spread across her face.

“You… You!” she stammered, her voice shaking. ” Percival, aren’t you dead? A ghost… A ghost!” Terrified, Edie’s body convulsed, and she instinctively shrank into the corner.

She watched in horror as Percival walked into the room.

Her gaze darted between his face, the shadow cast by his tall figure, and his reflection. She finally managed to say, “You’re not dead?”

“You tricked me! You never died! Was this your trap all along, using her to set me up?” Edie’s voice rose, disbelief and panic etched across her face.

In an instant, her thoughts cleared, and the fragmented pieces of the truth began to align in her mind.

“So it was you!” she screamed, her voice dripping with venom. “You ordered the Stewart family to throw me out, took back everything under my name, froze my accounts, and forbade me from stepping into the Stewart family estate! All of it was your doing!” Percival stood there, watching her cry out in anguish. “Yes,” Percival said coldly. The simple affirmation stunned Edie. “Why? I am your mother! How dare you do this to me? You ungrateful son!” she shouted. Despite the pain wracking her body, she struggled to her feet, lunging toward him. Odalys swiftly stepped forward and grabbed her by the neck. Before Edie could react, Odalys had her lifted off the ground by her neck. “You, you, let go of me.” Edie looked at her in terror. Her legs kicked frantically as she dangled, unable to breathe with her throat constricted. Fear consumed her as she teetered on the brink of suffocation. At that moment, Edie realized that despite her constant provocations, she was no match for Odalys. She knew Odalys could easily choke her to death. The sheer strength in her grip was enough to lift her single-handedly. It was terrifying. “Let, let go.” Edie continued to struggle.

Her eyes widened, darting towards Percival, seeking his help. But Percival merely looked at her coldly, his gaze as indifferent as if she were a stranger he despised.

“I, I, am, your mother.” Edie gasped painfully. She had barely finished her sentence when Odalys threw her back onto the bed.
Edie crashed back onto the hospital bed, her head slamming against the headboard. She clutched her face, curling into herself as pain radiated through her body, wrapping her in its relentless grip.

Percival questioned, “You are my mother? Then why would you reveal my illness to outsiders, hoping they would exploit it to scheme against me and the Stewart family?”

He continued, “If you’re my mother, why did you tamper with the old estate and cause Grandpa to fall and break his leg?
“If you’re my mother, then tell me. How did my father die? What happened to him?”

He added, “If you’re my mother, why did you funnel the Stewart family’s wealth into supporting your own family, using my father’s hard-earned money to aid your brother’s schemes, only for him to turn around and bite us in return?”

“You? A mother?” He scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Edie, do you even deserve that title?

“When you schemed against my father, harmed my grandfather, and even tried to kill me, did you still think of yourself as my mother? What kind of mother does that?”

He was neither naive nor overly compassionate. He simply preferred to act only when he had a firm understanding of the situation.

“So what if I wanted to kill you?” Edie sneered coldly. “I gave birth to you. Even if I killed you, you have no right to blame me. You carry my blood! Your life was given by me. It’s my choice to want you dead.”

As Percival listened, he had a sarcastic sneer. Odalys was stunned.

“No wonder you and Hannah are friends. You both take shamelessness to a whole new level.”

“Edie, do you even hear yourself? You’re pathetic. Acting like you’re above it all? Carrying Henry’s
child… Oh, wait. Didn’t you lose it?” With that, Odalys stepped forward.

Overwhelmed by an inexplicable fear, Edie instinctively tried to retreat but was yanked forward by Odalys.

“Orson,” Odalys called out.

Orson had rushed over as soon as they entered the hospital. While they were arguing, he could only stand outside and listen silently, not daring to utter a word.

When Odalys called for him, he immediately stepped inside.

“Here,” Orson said, raising his hand slightly with a small, wary smile, already bracing for the possibility that he might be her next target. He now understood that he should never offend a woman.

“Didn’t she miscarry? Pack up whatever came out and make sure she takes it with her,” Odalys said coldly.
Edie was stunned, unsure of what she was planning to do.

In the next second, Odalys grabbed Edie and dragged her out. “Didn’t you want to leave the hospital? Let me help you.”
“Let go of me!” Edie struggled constantly.

Once a high-society lady, revered and feared as Mrs. Stewart, she had been accustomed to people treating her with deference. No one
would dare to provoke her.

Now, she was being humiliated, her dignity stripped away by her daughter-in-law.

“Odalys, release me! How dare you treat me this way? I’ll have Percival leave you!” Edie shouted indignantly.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Odalys flung her aside.

“Leave me?” Odalys sneered, crossing her arms as she stared down at Edie. “Oh, I almost forgot.

Weren’t you planning to climb into Evander’s bed with Hannah while we were gone? Weren’t you plotting to have his child?”
She thought, “You thought by drugging Evander and getting pregnant with a Stewart family heir, you could take over the entire Stewart Group, didn’t you?”

Her words were shocking, and Edie was stunned.

Edie didn’t expect Odalys to know about the conversation she’d had with Hannah. That was supposed to be a secret between the two of them.

“Did you install a surveillance camera in my ward? You’ve violated my privacy. I’ll sue you!” Edie almost went crazy.
She hadn’t taken their words seriously at the time, but Odalys brought it up. She was mortified.

Especially since Evander was her father-in-law, if word of her conversation with Hannah were to get out, it would destroy her reputation entirely.

“Go ahead and sue me then.” Orson shrugged indifferently.

He touched his nose and said, “For the record, I installed the surveillance. Specifically to keep an eye on people like you. Otherwise, how else would we know you weren’t just cheating with your friend’s son, but also aiming for Mr. Evander Stewart?”

“You, you all…” Edie was shocked.

Orson had always been the quieter, more reserved one among Percival’s associates, someone who rarely engaged in verbal sparring.
But now, he was openly mocking her. At that moment, Edie was utterly dumbfounded.

“Get her in the car. We don’t have all day,” Odalys said.

Percival waved his hand, and the two bodyguards immediately stepped forward. They grabbed Edie’s arms, lifted her up, and followed
Odalys.

Chapter 342

Percival always kept a distance, and followed behind Odalys, as if he wanted to announce to the world that he was Odalys’s backer.

“You are really spoiling her.” Orson touched his nose and teased in a low voice.

He had seen men pamper their partners, but never to this extent.

It might seem like Percival hadn’t done much for Odalys, but in truth, he had done everything.

He never pressured her, always shielded her from harm, gave her the space to grow, and never imposed any restrictions on her.

No other man could do what Percival did.

“And what else should I do? If Edie were your mother, constantly scheming to destroy your family and ensuring you never had children after you finally married, what would you do?” Percival asked.

His words silenced Orson. He wanted to respond but ultimately remained silent.

If it were him, Edie would have been dead a hundred times over.

Percival had been far too lenient, bound by familial ties, allowing Edie to run rampant for so long. In any other prominent family, Edie would have met her end long ago.

“The curse she’s carrying will be punishment enough,” Orson said in a low voice.

The curse worm coursing through her body would drain her strength and health, making survival a living torment, especially since the counterpart to her curse worm had already been destroyed.

“She brought this upon herself.” Percival’s eyes held no warmth.

Orson fell silent after hearing this.

As the crowd in the hospital watched in shock, the bodyguards pushed Edie into the car, flanking her on both sides.
At first, Edie wasn’t panicked, but fear soon crept into her expression.

“What are you doing? Where are you taking me?

Let me go! Put me down!” Edie’s voice wavered, betraying her growing panic.

She had been too arrogant before, looking down on everyone. But now she found herself trembling.

From the curse’s effects to her miscarriage, Percival’s unexpected survival, and Odalys’s near-lethal grip, everything pointed to her impending downfall.

Edie had previously believed that the Stewart family would never abandon her, but now she realized she had overestimated herself.

The Stewart family, cold-blooded and ruthless, had no qualms about discarding her.

No one else could let their bodyguard treat their mother like this, but Percival didn’t even acknowledge her.

“Mr. Stewart ordered us to warn you. If you keep struggling and causing trouble, we are authorized to put a bullet in your head.” Ssuddenly, the bodyguard said coldly.

As he spoke, both guards produced handguns, pressing the barrels firmly against her sides.

Edie’s lips quivered as she stared in disbelief, her eyes darting between the guards in front of her and the guns pressed against her sides. She turned her head away.

Odalys strode forward and got into the passenger seat.

“Let’s go,” Odalys said.

The bodyguard drove away. Edie hadn’t recovered from the fear.

Half an hour later, the car stopped outside the police station.

“Why did you bring me to the police station? What are you going to do? I haven’t broken any laws!” Edie panicked.

Previously, the Stewart family would cover up for her no matter what she did.

She still didn’t know what she did wrong to deserve jail time. She would rather die than go to jail.

She would rather die than go to jail.

As soon as she finished her words, Odalys got out of the car.

“Let go of me.” Edie was also dragged down by the bodyguards.

At the police station, the Bennett members had just been released after being questioned.
However, their release did not mean they were cleared of any wrongdoing.

“You may leave for now, but until the investigation is complete, none of you are allowed to leave Crownridge. Be prepared to
cooperate with our investigation at all times. If we find out you’re trying to leave privately, we will arrest you immediately,” the officer stated.

Henry’s lips trembled, as though insulted by the words. Sophia’s expression was grim as she was shoved, stumbling and nearly falling.

“Long time no see.” Odalys strode forward.

She stood in front of the Bennetts. Hannah glared at Odalys with venomous eyes, as if she wanted to tear Odalys to pieces.
“Odalys, what do you want now? Haven’t you ruined us enough?” Hannah demanded in a harsh tone.

At that moment, she regretted not killing Odalys when she had the chance.

Odalys stood before her with an unruffled smile on her delicate face. She calmly surveyed the group, her arms folded across her chest as she took a step back.

“I’m here to bring you your daughter-in-law.

Odalys replied with a smile.

With a wave of her hand, the bodyguard shoved Edie forward.

She happened to bump into Henry’s arms. Henry groaned in pain from his injuries, nearly falling to the ground with her.
“You…” Henry pushed the woman off him, his eyes widening as he looked down at her.

Henry’s pupils constricted in disbelief at Edie’s state.

Odalys said, “What’s wrong? Isn’t she your woman? You two were on a date in the wild the other night, getting frisky in the car. Don’t tell me you’re denying it now.

“Oh, and she’s pregnant! I bet it’s your child, right?

I’m here to bring you your child today.”

The bodyguards immediately turned and returned from the car with a box. Then, they presented it to Henry.

“What child?” Henry was confused.

He stood there as the bodyguard placed the box in his hands. As he opened it, a pool of bright red blood greeted his eyes.

“What is this?” Henry recoiled at the pungent smell of blood and frowned in annoyance.

The bodyguard, unfazed, replied with politeness,” Mr. Bennett, this is the fetus that Edie miscarried.

We carefully packaged it for you to take back.

After all, this is your family’s bloodline. It shouldn’t be discarded, don’t you agree?”

The bodyguard’s words made Henry extremely embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s face was contorted with rage.

She knew Odalys was up to no good. She even dared to humiliate them outside the police station.

“Mrs. Bennett, you look unwell. You wouldn’t deny this daughter-in-law, would you? She did carry Henry’s child. Though she lost it now, it was genuine,” Odalys mocked.

“Besides, you two are old acquaintances! You must have been close friends, right? Thirty years later, she’s become your son’s girlfriend. Why does that upset you?” Odalys asked coldly with a mocking smile.

She was deliberately trying to provoke the Bennett family.

As for Edie, sending her to the Bennett family was the best outcome. This way, they could tear each other apart.

“You, you…” Hannah was so angry that she gasped and struggled to speak.

Sophia’s eyes turned wet as she listened to the exchange. She was stunned, unable to believe what she was hearing. This was completely unexpected.

She snapped, “Odalys, are you trying to provoke us? You deliberately framed us and wanted others to see us as a joke, so you deliberately made all of this happen, didn’t you?”

Chapter 343

“Only a troublemaker like you would enjoy stirring things up. I don’t have the time for your false accusations. I’ve delivered the person to you today,” Odalys said coldly.

“I hope the Bennett family can stay harmonious from now on and avoid using Love Spell to lure men as you did in the past,” she added with subtle meaning.

As soon as she finished speaking, Sophia’s face darkened.

She recalled how, on a variety show, she had given Finnian a Love Spell, and now his fans still held a grudge against her.
“Odalys, stop! Come back here!” Sophia shouted angrily.

She rushed forward but saw Odalys nonchalantly open the car door and climb in.

The door slammed shut, nearly hitting Sophia in the process.

Sophia stood there, frustrated and unwilling to back down. She stomped her feet and glared at the car. “Odalys, I won’t let this go.”

Sitting in the passenger seat, Odalys watched as the dark misfortune aura continued to emanate from Sophia.

But as Sophia approached, it seemed as though that energy was being restrained.
Odalys narrowed her eyes coldly, watching Sophia intently.

At that moment, everything became clear to her. Odalys and Sophia were opposites. She could suppress Sophia’s misfortune, but when Sophia’ s negativity became too overwhelming, it would inevitably affect those around her.

It seemed the Bennett family adopted her because they saw her as a lucky person. Even though Odalys was abandoned later, she had lived in the Bennett family for many years as a child, and her presence had left a mark everywhere.

When Sophia was brought back, it was Odalys’s aura that suppressed Sophia’s misfortune, allowing the Bennett family to continue thriving. That was why they treated Sophia so well.

In the eyes of a wealthy family, profit was always the primary goal.

“I see.” Odalys chuckled softly.

This explanation made sense.

However, she still couldn’t fully understand Sophia’s true intentions. She wondered if Sophia wanted to ruin them, or if there was a deeper motive.

Thinking of this, Odalys looked away and said to the bodyguard, “Take me back.”

“Understood,” the bodyguard replied, pressing the accelerator. The luxury car sped off, kicking exhaust fumes that hit Sophia in the face.

up Choking on the fumes, Sophia took a few steps back, tears welling up in her eyes. She bit her lip in frustration and turned around. She saw Hannah, still injured, charging at Edie.

“Edie, you bitch, I’m going to kill you! Why did you seduce my son? You knew he was my son. Why did you ruin him?” Hannah cried out in anger. Never had she felt so humiliated.

The thought of her best friend taking advantage of her absence to sleep with her most favored son infuriated her. Her rage was unbearable. “Seduced? Hannah, maybe you should ask Henry how much your family benefited when he decided to strip down and make a deal with me,” Edie retorted.

She added, “All these years, your family has prospered, acquiring so many resources. Do you not know where those connections came from? They were funneled from my family, the Stewart family.

“He slept with me once, and I gave him a major resource. What did your family lose? Without me, your Bennett family would’ve collapsed long ago.”

She continued, “Where did Sophia’s resources come from? Was it because of his social drinking? No, it was because I forcefully secured them from the Stewart family. Otherwise, why has no one dared to go after your family in all these years?”

“Your Bennett family is nothing! You’ve scraped everything from me!” Edie said sharply, standing firm despite the pain.
Her words left Hannah speechless.

She stood frozen, stunned by what she had just heard.

Hannah refused to believe that the Bennett family’s prosperity depended on her. The Bennett family business was thriving, and there were so many people eager to collaborate with Henry.

Her son was so talented. Hannah believed he wouldn’t sleep with Edie to gain resources.

“How is that possible?” Atlas was also stunned. The day had been chaotic, from reporters barging into their house to the police
questioning them. Now, even after they had just finished at the police station, they were struck by this revelation.

“Henry, say something!” Atlas urged, running to his brother’s side.

Seeing Henry holding the blood-soaked box, his eyes turned bloodshot. Then he suddenly lifted his head.

Henry snapped, “Are you done causing trouble?

If it weren’t for you, the Bennett family wouldn’t have ended up like this. You tried to frame Odalys, force her into a marriage, and now that she’s married and turned the tables, you’re still here questioning me?”

He continued, “If it weren’t for me, would the Bennett family have survived all these years? Dad ran off to expand the business overseas. Has he even contacted us since? When things went wrong, did he come back to help?”

“Now you still think the investments I brought are shameful? Fine, if you think I’m useless, then from now on, whether the Bennett family survives or collapses, I won’t care anymore.” Henry said, slamming the box on the floor.

The blood inside splashed out, staining the ground red.

Everyone was stunned, watching as Henry turned coldly and walked away. After a few steps, he turned back and grabbed Edie by the wrist, leading her away.

“You! Henry, I’m your mother! How can you do this to me?” Hannah shouted, almost choking on her rage.

She didn’t expect Henry to leave. With him gone, the backbone of the Bennett family was lost.

Hannah watched as her son, holding Edie’s hand, left without looking back. She collapsed onto the ground with shock.

“How could this happen? Henry wasn’t like this before! It must be Edie’s fault,” Hannah muttered. She suddenly grabbed Sophia and pushed her, saying, “Sophia, get your brother back! Don’t let him leave with Edie or the Bennett family will be finished!”
However, Sophia didn’t move.

“Sophia,” Hannah said, disbelief etched on her face.

She saw a flicker of mockery in Sophia’s eyes. Sophia turned away, avoiding her touch, then took large strides forward, calling out in a coy voice, “Dad!”

The single word, “Dad,” stunned everyone. They turned around, only to see a figure in the distance, dressed in a sharp suit, exuding an aura of masculinity. He was holding a suitcase, standing at a distance.
Hannah froze, recognizing the familiar figure in the distance.

It was her husband, who had been abroad and hadn’t returned yet. He rarely contacted her, never answering calls or replying to messages. Yet, he had come back.

“Windsor.” Hannah excitedly got up.

But before she could reach him, Sophia had already run up to him and thrown herself into his arms.

“Dad, I missed you so much,” Sophia said, wrapping her arms around Windsor’s waist and burying her face in his chest.

Windsor held her tightly, letting her act coquettishly in his embrace. He gently stroked her hair, speaking in a doting voice. “I missed you too.”

“Dad!”
♡

Chapter 344

Sophia looked up from Windsor’s embrace, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him fiercely on the cheek with a loud “smack.”

With a loud “smack,” she planted a firm kiss on his cheek.

Hannah, still supported by Atlas due to her injured leg, stood frozen as she watched her long-absent husband being hugged by Sophia.

The two of them were so intimately close. They resembled long-separated lovers.

“You…you! Windsor, how could you even go after her!” Hannah nearly fainted from rage.

She could never have imagined that the once-glorious Bennett family would end up like this.

The family had such a tangled mess of relationships. Her husband had returned only to abandon the family and protect Sophia.

Hannah, who had always been there for the Bennett family, now felt utterly ridiculous. No one took her seriously.

Windsor said coldly, “You know she is our daughter, yet you still pushed her to the brink. Hannah, years ago, you defied my parents to climb into my bed. I have tolerated you for far too long.”

He added, “While I was away, you tormented my daughter. It seems you’re not happy being Mrs. Bennett. If that is the case, we can get a divorce.”

Windsor’s figure, though lean, carried an imposing aura even more pronounced now at fifty than in his younger years.
He shielded Sophia protectively, gently kissed her hair, and comforted her, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Sophia. Daddy is here.”
“You want to divorce me? Windsor, you-” Hannah was too enraged to speak.

But Windsor only cast her a cold glance before leading Sophia to the car. He helped her in, ignoring the stunned expressions of the Bennett family members, and drove off without hesitation.

“This…?” Hannah stood in shock.

Atlas stood there, equally dumbfounded.

Memories of overheard sounds outside Sophia’s room replayed in his mind, and a growing sense of unease crept over him, though he didn’t dare think too deeply about it.

“Mom, let’s go home first,” Atlas said.
Only Caspian stood rooted to the spot. He remained silent, quietly observing the scene unfold.

“Caspian, come help me get Mom home,” Atlas said irritably.

He had no idea what was going on or how things had escalated to this point.

The Bennett family had always been harmonious; an argument like this had never happened before.

“Mom, it seems Sophia and Dad have been in touch for a while. Judging by his behavior, I think he’s here to protect Sophia,” Caspian said carefully.

He wanted nothing to do with the Bennett family’s affairs. Self-preservation was his only concern.

Hannah snapped, “That bitch! Her reality show appearances are ruining the Bennett family name, and now she even seduced Windsor!”

“If I had known this would happen, I would never have listened to that person and adopted Sophia!”
Hannah seethed, her chest tight with fury.

As Atlas helped her to the roadside to hail a cab, Caspian did not follow.

“Caspian, aren’t you coming?” Atlas asked after getting into the car, noticing Caspian hadn’t followed.

Caspian lit a cigarette and took a long drag, standing there.

“You guys go ahead. I need some fresh air.” Caspian shook his head.

He held a cigarette between his fingertips, lightly tapped off the ash, and took a long drag, holding the smoke deep in his lungs until he could hold it no longer and was forced to exhale.

Watching the taxi drive away, Caspian took out his phone and saw that Odalys still hadn’t replied.

He strode forward, hailed a taxi, and left.

Not far away, under a tree.

A black Maybach was parked there. The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Odalys, who turned her head to watch the scene unfold with a cold smile.

“You predicted Windsor would return today?”

Percival’s husky voice broke the silence.

Earlier, after Odalys left the Bennett Villa by car, she hadn’t actually left. Instead, she got out, walked across the street, and entered Percival’s car, directing him to park on the opposite side, where they stayed to watch the drama unfold.

She said, “Caspian sent me a message to tip me off.

“But as I was leaving the Bennett Villa earlier, I noticed the aura around Sophia. Ever since she had relations with that fake magician, I’ve been able to see changes in her body.”

Odalys added, “She’s emanating a particular energy, but it’s tethered to the Bennett family. I suspect she has a relationship with someone within the family, binding her fortune to theirs.”

Odalys rubbed her fingertips together and let out a low chuckle.

“You mean Sophia and Windsor?” Percival frowned.

He hadn’t expected this kind of relationship between them. Though wealthy families were known for their complexities, such a relationship was rare.

Odalys replied, “That seems to be the case. I’d wager Windsor was Sophia’s first man. Windsor left the capital three years ago, meaning she offered herself to him when she came of age.”

“I used to think she was flirting with the three Bennett brothers. Now I see I was overthinking.

She never cared for them. They were just pawns,” Odalys said mockingly.

If Hannah discovered that Sophia had climbed into her husband’s bed, it would drive her mad.

But the Bennett family’s dynamics really were a mess.

“Earlier, Hannah said she shouldn’t have listened to someone’s advice to adopt Sophia. It seems she’s starting to question that decision. It won’t be long before she turns on whoever was behind it,” Percival analyzed.

He added, “We just need to be patient, and we’ll soon discover who’s manipulating the Bennetts into abandoning you and adopting Sophia.”

Odalys nodded. She hadn’t expected that she and Percival would be on the same wavelength.

Percival said, “In that case, this person might be the one who performed transformation surgery on Sophia in the past. They placed Sophia in the Bennett family to push you out.

“Through Sophia, they’ve been controlling the Bennett family, leveraging the connection with Edie.”

It seemed they had laid out a perfect trap, trying to devour the Stewart family and even more wealthy families step by step.

“Yes,” Odalys replied in a low voice.

Her mind was flooded with scattered thoughts, making it hard to focus. She needed to calm down and piece everything together, ensuring nothing was overlooked.

“Give me your hand,” Odalys suddenly said.

Percival froze, his eyes fixed on the small hand she offered. It was delicate and seemingly emanated an alluring fragrance.

He lifted his broad hand, slowly reaching toward hers.

Seeing this, Odalys grasped his large hand firmly, her fingertips pressing against his wrist.

Odalys said softly, “Your poison will soon become uncontrollable again. The last treatment I gave you didn’t completely cure it.
Each time I detoxify you, the poison seeps further into your lungs.

“This poison is too potent. It’s been dormant in your body for far too long. Fully cleansing it will be extremely difficult.

Chapter 345

Percival’s gaze deepened, and his thin lips moved slightly.

Then his broad hand closed, firmly holding her delicate fingertips as he said, “Life and death are determined by fate. If it cannot be cured, I’ll still accept it.”

“You’ve already helped suppress the poison many times, extending my life for so long. I’m deeply grateful. If it’s beyond your power, there’s no need to blame yourself,” Percival added.

Odalys looked at his large hand tightly clasping hers. She didn’t pull away, letting him hold it.

“Has there been any movement from the old man we brought back from the village?” Odalys asked suddenly.

After returning Brandon to Crownridge, she hadn’t seen him again.

“No, he’s been very quiet. He hasn’t made any demands or shown any intention to contact the outside world. My people have been watching him closely, but they also find his behavior somewhat unusual,” Percival replied.

Odalys fell silent at his words.

“Let’s go see him,” she said softly. The quieter someone was, the bigger the move they were planning.

“Do you want to rest for a while? You haven’t had a proper break since this morning,” Percival said, his voice tinged with concern.

He had never seen a woman work so tirelessly.

This morning, Odalys had gone to the company, stormed into the Monolith Hotel with several artists, and taken control of the entire venue, avenging Dorian in the process.

Afterward, she returned to deal with matters, fiercely confronting members of the Bennett family.

After dinner at the Stewart Villa, she even read his fortune. The amount of energy she had spent would exhaust even a man, yet she continued on.

She then followed him to the hospital, dealt with Edie, and went to the police station to confront the Bennett family. Now, here they were, and she still hadn’t taken a moment to rest.

“It’s fine. Let’s meet him first. Now that Windsor has returned to Crownridge, I’m sure your uncle will return soon too. Otherwise, all our efforts at the hotel would’ve been for nothing,” Odalys said with a cold laugh. She thrived on challenges.

Seeing her resolve, Percival tightened his grip on her hand. “Callum, head to the villa in the suburbs,” he ordered in a low voice.

Callum, seated in the driver’s seat, nodded quickly. “Yes.”

The suburban villa was a three-story building.

Though luxurious from the outside, it was guarded by security, and the eerie silence inside gave an unsettling impression. While it appeared empty, guards were stationed covertly.

The Maybach slowly pulled up in front of the villa. A bodyguard rushed over to open the car door for Percival.

After stepping out, Percival opened the door for Odalys. Turning to the bodyguard, he said, “You’ve all worked hard recently. Notify everyone that you have the night off.”

“Have Callum give you 600 thousand dollars as a bonus,” Percival said firmly.

The bodyguard’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Mr. Stewart!”

“Go on then.” Percival nodded slightly.

The bodyguard quickly gathered everyone.

Callum handed over 600 thousand dollars and said, “This month, your bonus has an additional 150 thousand dollars.

“This 600 thousand dollars is from Mr. and Mrs. Stewart for a night snack. Treat yourselves to something good!”

The guards eagerly accepted the money he handed them.

The Stewart family was known for their generosity, which ensured loyalty. With such benefits, there were never any traitors among their staff. Moreover, any issues they encountered were always resolved by the Stewart family.

As a result, generations of servants and bodyguards remained devoted to serving the Stewart family.

“Understood,” the bodyguards said enthusiastically, leaving the villa with their rewards.

The villa quickly emptied. Callum remained outside, pulling out a handgun and leaning against a post, staying alert.

Dismissing the bodyguards ensured their conversation that night would remain confidential.

“I’ll keep watch outside,’ Callum said, turning to Percival.

Percival nodded and led Odalys into the villa.

The automatic door opened with facial recognition, revealing pitch darkness inside.

With a snap of Percival’s fingers, the lights instantly came on, illuminating the entire villa.

The interior was sparsely decorated, with a simplicity that exuded a sense of oppression.

“In this kind of environment, he can still remain composed. That’s impressive,” Odalys remarked quietly.

Percival led Odalys down a quiet corridor toward the basement. Their footsteps echoed on the staircase as they reached an iron door. Percival opened it and stepped inside.

The room contained only a simple bed. On it lay an older man, asleep.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, he jolted upright. When his eyes landed on Percival’s chiseled face, his expression shifted dramatically.

“Mr. Stewart?” Brandon stammered.

His gaze then moved to Odalys, who stood behind Percival. The smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a flicker of fear in his eyes.

“Mister, long time no see,” Odalys greeted calmly.

She pulled out a chair nearby, sat down, and crossed her legs casually. Her indifferent gaze locked on the man. Though she appeared relaxed, an invisible pressure seemed to weigh heavily in the room.

“Ms. Stone, what brings you here?” Brandon asked, his voice trembling.

Odalys stared at him with a touch of mockery in her smile.

She leaned forward slightly, meeting his gaze, her voice low and measured. “Of course, I’m here to see you. Your son’s health has been deteriorating.

“I purged the poison from his body before, but it seems he couldn’t survive.”

Odalys remarked, “You tried to change his fate, hoping to escape the troubles of city life and leverage the Stewart family’s fortune to bring prosperity to your descendants. But in the end, your wife, daughter-in-law, and grandson all died by your hand.

“And now, you’re about to lose your son as well.

His life seemed to matter to you before, but deep down, it was all an act, wasn’t it?”

Her tone was calm, but her words sent chills down Brandon’s spine.

He had already experienced Odalys’s abilities back in the village. She had an uncanny knack for foreseeing events as if she could predict the future.

“Besides, you weren’t the only survivor from that village. That lecherous bachelor who lived next door to you. Do you think he knows nothing?”

Odalys added, her tone enticing yet menacing.

Brandon remained silent. He pretended to be calm, but his trembling fingers betrayed him, despite his efforts to suppress his emotions.

“Windsor is back to Crownridge.” Percival stood behind Odalys; his magnetic voice suddenly rang out.
That single sentence made Brandon’s head snap up, his previous calmness shattering instantly.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” Brandon said, his voice trembling.

Chapter 346

Brandon turned his back to them, pulling the blanket over himself to hide his emotions.

“I’ll show you something,” Odalys said.

Reluctantly, Brandon peeked out from under the blanket as she pulled out her phone. She played a video showing today’s events at the Bennett family estate. When the footage ended, the scene abruptly shifted.

The screen switched to the scene outside the police station just now. Henry had a falling out with Hannah, while Windsor returned to the country and hugged Sophia.

“Those wretched fools,” Brandon muttered, sitting up in agitation.

His face froze the moment he finished speaking. Incredulous, he looked at Odalys and Percival, who returned his gaze with cold smiles.

Brandon’s lips moved, but he said nothing.

Odalys said coolly, “The son you keep by your side is nothing more than a tool for your schemes. You act like you care about him, but it’ s all a ploy to mislead others. His life doesn’t matter to you.”

She continued, “But it’s fine. I came here to tell you that I’m taking him to the Bennett family. I’m sure Windsor will be thrilled to see him.”

Brandon’s composure shattered. He jumped up, panic flashing in his eyes.

But Odalys walked away. Percival followed close behind, leaving Brandon in stunned silence.

“Odalys, come back!” he yelled, rushing toward her. Before he could reach her, Percival kicked him squarely in the chest. The force sent Brandon flying, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

He choked back a mouthful of blood, groaning as he struggled to stand.

“Your family spent centuries tailoring clothes for the elite of the capital, building a legacy. And now, that legacy is ruined in your hands,” Percival said coldly.

“Did you really think that leeching off the Stewart family’s fortune would elevate your status? You’ ve been nothing more than a scapegoat.

“Do you think that your family will prosper after this? You should take a look at your current situation, and the fate of your descendants. This is the reality.”

“If you’re so valuable, why hasn’t anyone tried to rescue you since I captured you? What have you been protecting in this village all these years?”

“Do you really think that by scheming against the Stewart family, you can gain people’s trust? But you never knew those in power didn’t care whose corpses they stepped on to get there.

“Dead men have no opportunities,” he added.

Percival’s piercing remarks struck Brandon’s deepest fears. He slumped to the ground, overwhelmed by doubt and despair, questioning everything he had believed in.

“You really thought that by covering up for those people and letting them replace all the wealthy families, you would also be able to rise to the top after they succeed?” Percival continued.

Brandon’s breath hitched, his mind unraveling under the weight of Percival’s words.

“You’re bluffing,” he suddenly said, his voice trembling.

Odalys, already halfway out the door, stopped and turned.

She looked at him like he was an idiot. “Why would we need to bluff you? You’re just a discarded pawn. What possible value could you have?”

“If you were so critical to their plans, we wouldn’t already know this much. And when your son meets Windsor, things will get interesting,” she said with a smirk, grabbing Percival’s arm and striding out.

Brandon panicked, his face contorting with desperation. “Come back! I’ll tell you everything!” he shouted.
Percival didn’t stop. “Too late,” he said coldly.

“Please! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you whatever you want to know!” Brandon pleaded, but his cries were drowned out as the door slammed shut behind them.

“Mr. Stewart, how did it go? Did he talk?” Callum asked, stepping forward briskly.

Percival remained silent.

Odalys said calmly, “I placed a talisman in the room earlier. We just scared him to the point of panic. He’s most likely to make a mistake in that state of fear and confusion. Keep an eye on the surveillance footage.”

Callum quickly stepped forward and turned on the surveillance feed.

The screen displayed Brandon still in the basement, shouting desperately at the iron door. When he realized Percival and Odalys had left, he collapsed to the floor in despair.

“Windsor is back? His son fell out with the Bennett family? That adopted girl and Windsor… No, they can’t be together,” Brandon muttered, his voice trembling.

Suddenly, he stopped and noticed a key lying on the ground. He picked it up, hesitated for a moment, and then used it to unlock the door. To his surprise, the lock clicked open, and the key fell to the floor.

He pushed the door open in a hurry and rushed out.

Even as Percival and the others stood outside, he seemed oblivious to their presence. He ran past them, jumped into a Mercedes, and drove off.

Callum became anxious as he watched Brandon drive away.

He asked, “Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Stewart, are we really letting him escape like that?”

Odalys watched the car speeding away and said, “Letting him run is exactly what we want. All we need to do is follow him.”

Callum frowned in confusion. “But he ran right past us like we were invisible. How is that possible?”

Something wasn’t right about Brandon’s demeanor.

Odalys explained, “That’s the effect of the talisman placed. It’s also why your boss pulled back all the bodyguards. We needed to make it convincing enough for him to run away.”

The farther Brandon ran, the better it would be for them.
Callum fell silent, processing her words.

“Let’s go. Follow him,” Percival ordered, tossing Callum the car keys.

Callum quickly got into the car and followed. Thanks to the tracker installed on the Mercedes, they could easily trace its route as it sped toward the city.

After weaving through the city streets, Brandon’s car took a sudden turn and headed in a different direction. Callum pressed the gas pedal to keep up. Under normal circumstances, Brandon would have noticed the tail.

However, his vision seemed completely blocked. He couldn’t see them at all.

“Mrs. Stewart, this is amazing! What kind of talisman is this? Why does it seem like he can’t see us?” Callum asked in surprise.

Odalys propped her chin on her hand, watching the car ahead. “Why? Do you want one too? I could make you one,” she teased.

Callum was startled. He was horrified by the thought of acting foolishly, oblivious to everyone around him while they saw right through his charade. That would be too embarrassing.

“No way! I don’t think I need it for now. This feeling is a bit like… running naked…” Callum said honestly.

While following the car, he realized Brandon was driving directly toward the villa.

Lee had dug up ten bodies in this very villa before, but they had never been able to find the murderer. And Brandon went straight there.

“Isn’t this the villa where Francis was almost dissected and had his organs harvested? I heard the police dug up ten bodies here.” Callum was confused.

Chapter 347

“What is that old man doing here?” Callum muttered, thoroughly puzzled.

“We’ll see soon enough,” Odalys replied with a cold smile.

Inside the car, Percival sat silently. His gaze seemed to pierce through the night as if he could see everything clearly.

“It seems this villa incident is connected to him,” Percival said in a calm, deep voice.

He remained composed, analyzing the situation independently rather than being swayed by others’ emotions.

“Connected to him? Isn’t he just a tailor specializing in custom-made clothing? This is a crime scene,” Callum said, his voice low.

As soon as he finished, he froze. He quickly hit the brakes, glanced back at Percival, then turned to Odalys.

“Could he actually be involved in all this?” Callum’ s voice trembled as he spoke.

He was stunned. Brandon had been living in isolation in a mountain village for years, and seemed every bit a victim.

“Do you think we locked him in the basement for no reason?” Odalys asked quietly.

“After learning Windsor returned to the country and the Bennett family fell into chaos, he decided to take a gamble,” Percival continued, his tone steady as he built on Odalys’s explanation.

Callum adjusted his glasses nervously and straightened up, staring at the villa.

“So, should we go in and take a look?” he asked hesitantly.

Before anyone could answer, two plainclothes police officers emerged from the shadows and approached their car. One of them knocked on the window.

The officer said politely, “Ms. Stone, Mr. Hersey assigned us to guard this place. He mentioned you anticipated someone would try to sneak in and asked us to wait here.”

“Now that someone’s entered, should we move in and make an arrest?” the officer asked respectfully.

Having witnessed Odalys’s sharp intellect firsthand during a previous case, they regarded her with deep admiration.

Odalys replied softly, “Not yet. Let’s see what he does inside first. When he leaves, follow him and see if he heads to the Bennett family.”

The officers nodded without question, knowing Lee had instructed them to follow her lead. ” Understood,” they said, retreating into the shadows.

Odalys and Percival stepped out of the car and quietly approached the villa. They hid in the darkness, observing as Brandon hurried inside. He looked around anxiously.

He muttered, “How can this be? It’s all gone. Everything’s gone!”

Brandon paced the villa with surprising familiarity. He froze when he noticed a shattered mirror on the floor, staring at it in stunned silence.

“Why is it broken?” he whispered, standing motionless for a few seconds before abruptly turning and leaving. He got into his car and drove away without looking back.

Odalys said coldly, “He knows this villa too well. That means he knew the man who tried to curse me here before. They were connected.
“
Moreover, the two were about the same age, which meant they were probably accomplices.

When Odalys arrived at the mountain village before, she smelled a familiar scent and finally set her sights on Brandon.
This old man had many secrets.

Percival said, “You mentioned that the old man was performing this ritual to exploit Sophia against you, but when you broke his magic, it resulted in his immediate death.”

He continued, “The backlash caused Sophia’s appearance to revert to its original form. In a desperate attempt to maintain her appearance, she cast a Love Spell on Finnian to borrow his fortune.”

Odalys nodded slightly. “Exactly. That man knew about Sophia’s true nature, but I dealt with him before he could act further. It seems this old man was his partner.”

Her tone was light but confident as if everything unfolding had been part of her plan all along. Nothing seemed to surprise her.

“He hid in the mountain village, likely not only to avoid suspicion but also to profit from the chaos. He didn’t expect me to disrupt their plans, causing things to go awry. Now, he can’t get in touch with the one who died,” Odalys said, turning to meet Percival’s gaze.

“He’ll go to the Bennett family,” Percival replied, picking up on her words. He knew this kind of person. His goals were always very clear.

“Let’s go see the drama unfold,” Odalys said softly, heading for the door.

As she moved, Percival instinctively reached out to steady her, his broad hand lightly touching her.

“It’s fine. I’m not that tired,” Odalys said.

She had expended a lot of energy, and Percival was concerned. After all, she was a woman, and if she pushed herself too hard, it could lead to physical harm.

“If you can’t handle it, we’ll head home. Since he’s been released, there’s no way he can escape,” Percival said.

He was always a man who planned meticulously, with everything under his control, including this old man.

“I know, but I want to watch. The Bennett family has wronged me so badly. I can’t let this slide. The more chaotic they are, the better it makes me feel. And I’m no innocent flower,” Odalys said with a hint of bitterness.

“The more miserable the Bennett family is, the happier I am! I will make them suffer!” Odalys said coldly.

She was someone who always repaid wrongs, and no one could stop her.

“Alright,” Percival responded, though his eyes held a glimmer of concern for her.

She had said nothing, but through their connection, he glimpsed the previous timeline together, witnessing the sorrow of her life.
She was forced to jump off a building by the Bennett family, only to be mocked by them even after her death. Anyone would harbor hatred after such an injustice.

As they spoke, they walked outside. Once in the car, Callum immediately stepped on the gas, following Brandon’s location.

At 11 pm, the Bennett Villa was brightly lit and full of activity.

Windsor and Sophia had returned to the villa. Upon seeing the disarray in the living room, a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect that in my three years abroad, the Bennett family would fall apart like this,” Windsor muttered.

“Henry couldn’t even manage the company, and now the family is in disarray. If I hadn’t come back, would the Bennett family even exist anymore?” His anger flared as he paced.

Sophia followed quietly behind him. She smiled faintly at the sight of his fury.

Sophia said, “Dad, don’t be too hard on Henry. He did his best, but no one can handle everything, right? We can’t expect him to perform tasks beyond his capability. Don’t you agree?”

She added, “Besides, you’re the backbone of the Bennett family. With you gone, it’s only natural for things to fall apart. This family is yours to command. Without you, chaos is expected.”

“No one is as capable as you, Dad,” Sophia said, hugging Windsor from behind.

Windsor stiffened, his mood lifted at her flattery.

“You’re the one who understands me best! Looks like all these years of care weren’t in vain,” Windsor replied, turning to embrace her.

He leaned down to kiss her forehead, and as they locked eyes, the desire between them was almost palpable.

But at that moment, the sound of footsteps reached their ears. Atlas entered, supporting Hannah, and upon seeing the two of them in a passionate embrace in the living room.

Hannah let out a shrill scream. “Windsor, you bastard!”

Chapter 348

She tried to rush forward in pain, but her legs, still injured from being struck by a chandelier, couldn’t support her. After just a few steps, her body crashed heavily to the ground with a loud ” thud.”

Hannah cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face as she looked up, disbelieving. She brushed aside her disheveled hair and stared at the two embracing figures before her.

One was her husband, the other was her beloved adopted daughter. Their actions went far beyond a normal father-daughter relationship. Hannah was a woman, after all, and she knew what was happening. But until now, she had never noticed anything inappropriate between Sophia and Windsor. Now, it all felt wrong. Windsor shouted, his fury rising, “Hannah, have you had enough of this? What did you do to the Bennett family while I was abroad?

“You’ve ruined the Bennett Group! Now it’s bankrupt and deep in debt! And look at this place. It’s a mess! If I hadn’t come back, the Bennett family would fall apart!”

He added coldly, “And you still have the nerve to criticize me? The entire Bennett family belongs to me! You were just the woman who climbed into my bed when I was drunk!

“My parents generously welcomed you into our family, granting you the Bennett name. Yet you slept with me without my consent, became pregnant with my child, and used that to manipulate me into marriage!”

Hannah’s expression darkened. She hadn’t expected Windsor to humiliate her like this in front of their children.

Hannah was shocked. She struggled to sit up from the floor and said, “Windsor, what nonsense are you talking about? If you didn’t want it, could I have forced myself on you?

“It was you who tempted me with alcohol and made me lose control, then used it to force me into marrying you. Why are you turning this around?” Hannah said, her voice filled with coldness and heartbreak.

Sophia stood there, watching the two argue, feeling a strange satisfaction in the chaos unfolding.

“Mom, stop it! Dad was just worried about you,” Sophia said, stepping forward to help Hannah up. As Hannah was about to stand, Sophia deliberately unbalanced herself and forcefully pushed Hannah forward. Hannah stumbled and crashed into Windsor’s arms.
Hannah cried out in panic.

She collided into Windsor’s embrace and, to her shock, caught a familiar scent. It was the same Hannah’s expression froze as she noticed the lipstick mark on Windsor’s neck, the same shade that Sophia was wearing now.

“Windsor, did you sleep with Sophia?” Hannah screamed, her voice breaking with anguish.

Windsor, caught in the act, shoved Hannah forcefully onto the couch and disdainfully dusted off his clothes.

“You’re crazy. Sophia is our adopted daughter. Stop slandering us. If you really want out, we’ll get a divorce tomorrow,” Windsor said coldly. With a dismissive gesture, he turned and walked upstairs.

Atlas stood frozen, watching his parents argue. For the first time, he felt lost.

His family had never been like this before. He remembered how his parents had once been loving. He pondered if their family’s downfall was because of Sophia.

He turned to look at Sophia, only to see a smug smile on her face.

But when Sophia noticed his gaze, she quickly wiped it away and turned to him with a pitiful expression, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Atlas, it’s not my fault. I didn’t seduce Dad,” Sophia said, her voice trembling with feigned emotion as tears streamed down her face.

Just as she spoke, a loud crash echoed through the room. A car slammed into the Bennett Villa gates, knocking over a potted plant, which flew into the hall.

“Who’s that?” Atlas jumped in surprise.

He quickly turned around and saw a familiar figure come out of the car.

“You’re the old man from the village where we filmed the variety show? What are you doing in my house?” Atlas asked warily.

Although he was not the sharpest, he wasn’t stupid. Seeing Brandon appear in their home filled him with an ominous feeling.

“Windsor,” Brandon strode forward, calling out to Windsor, who was about to ascend the stairs. Before Windsor could respond, another figure moved faster than him.

“Windsor,” Rafael stormed in.

Brandon was pushed aside, and as he regained his balance, he saw that Rafael had arrived as well.

This was the very same man who had been watching him in the village. Yet, he was here at the Bennett Villa.

“What are you doing here?” Windsor’s displeasure was apparent. He stood still, his hand tightening around his car keys before slowly descending the stairs.

“Dad, do you know them?” Sophia asked, her voice laced with surprise.

She looked at them in disbelief, then back at Windsor.

When Sophia saw Rafael, a chill ran down her spine. She recalled how he had been constantly spying on her, even stealing her underwear, with clear signs of his touch still on her clothes. “Dad? You’re his daughter?” Rafael heard her refer to Windsor as “Dad,” and a flicker of surprise passed in his eyes.

Windsor stepped forward. His gaze turned colder as he faced Brandon and Rafael.

“Didn’t I tell you? I said, if there’s nothing important, don’t come back.” Windsor’s voice was cold.

Brandon and Rafael exchanged a glance and were about to speak, but Windsor interrupted. ” Let’s talk outside.”

As he turned to leave, Sophia quickly ran up to him and grabbed his arm. “Dad, do you know them? Do you know what this man did? He almost assaulted me.”

Rafael didn’t seem offended by her words. Instead, his gaze greedily wandered over her, his hands rubbing together in a way that made Sophia’s skin crawl.

“Go back to your room,” Windsor ordered. Without waiting for her to protest, he roughly pried her hand off and made for the door.

Brandon and Rafael followed Windsor closely, while Sophia stood frozen, her hand gripping the air where his arm had been. After a moment, she quietly followed them outside.

Outside the Bennett Villa, the moonlight was dim, casting long shadows on the ground.

Windsor stopped outside, turned, and fixed the two elderly men with a fierce glare. “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you? If there’s nothing important, don’t come back.”

“The villa’s been tampered with,” Brandon suddenly said.

Windsor frowned. He then heard Rafael add, “It’s one thing that the villa was tampered with, but that woman… She’s your adopted daughter, right? If she is…”

“What do you mean by that?” Windsor’s brows furrowed deeper.

Rafael rubbed his hands together nervously. “I told you before, you shouldn’t have touched her. Seems like you did, and that’s why the Bennett family’s luck has run dry.”

Rafael added, “From what I know, the Bennett family is bankrupt, and today, your people were taken to the police station. Now, your family’s reputation is in tatters across the capital. This is not the end you should have met.”

He continued, “As long as the Bennett family is tied to the Stewart family, it should be able to tap into their luck. But after your daughter was married off, you failed to absorb any luck. Rather, your fortune has drained away.”

“Did you sleep with her?” Rafael suddenly asked seriously.

Windsor stood there, saying nothing in response.

♡

Chapter 349

Rafael said, “I told you, she’s meant to stabilize the house’s energy. Her luck can only be used for that. If you slept with her, your fates are now connected. The Bennett family’s luck will drain out.”

“Think of it like a balloon that was perfectly fine, but then someone pricked a hole in it. Her energy can flow through the hole into your body, disrupting the Bennett family’s luck,” he continued.

Brandon stood there silently.

“What should we do?” Windsor asked in a panic. He had never taken these things seriously before, but now he wasn’t sure whether to believe Rafael’s words.

It was the first time he’d heard that sleeping with someone could cause luck to be lost.

“The villa is connected to her luck. The energy field of the villa has been disturbed. I just saw the sacred mirror shattered, and the villa’s orientation is messed up,” Rafael said.

“The villa is messed up, her body was ruined by you! The luck that had been stabilizing the Bennett family is gone now,” Brandon muttered softly.

At that moment, his heart sank. Windsor’s heart sank along with him.

“When did you ruin her body? Were you her first man?” Rafael asked, his voice cold.

Windsor clenched his fists, clearly uncomfortable with his personal matters being probed. He had acted recklessly, it seemed.

“It was three years ago, the night before I left the country! She was still a virgin at that time,” Windsor said, his throat tightening.

At that moment, he was troubled and unsettled. The calm confidence he had once possessed was now completely gone.

“You were her first, so her luck was broken by you. Your luck was also disrupted by hers. The two of you have been fighting for energy, and of course, the Bennett family’s fortune is in chaos now,” Rafael continued.

“It looks like everything we’ve worked for has been for nothing,” he added, gnashing his teeth. He never imagined this would be the outcome.

“You came back because of this?” Windsor asked after a long silence, finally fixing his gaze on them.

He couldn’t help but notice how disheveled they looked, with a foul odor radiating from them. They seemed like they hadn’t bathed in a long time, and the strong stench made Windsor instinctively take a step back.

Neither Brandon nor Rafael seemed to notice Windsor’s discomfort.

“Something happened in the village. Your adopted daughter, when she came to the Bennett family to record the variety show…” Brandon started to explain.

Just as he spoke, he suddenly gasped, his throat tightening as if something was choking him. He struggled, feeling the suffocating sensation grow stronger, as though he could hardly breathe.

It felt like his neck was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and thousands of ants seemed to be biting into his skin.

Brandon groaned, his struggles intensifying.

Rafael instinctively stepped back.

Then, he also screamed, feeling something sharp poke into the tip of his toe. Looking down, he realized it was a broken beer bottle shard piercing through his shoe, gouging his foot.

He lifted his foot in pain, blood oozing from the wound.

As Rafael was about to turn, he felt something else coming at him, piercing through his skin. His body tensed, and suddenly his skin burst open.

Rafael shouted in disbelief, rolling up his sleeves.

He saw his skin stretched open, blood pouring from the pores, and as he lifted his pants, he found blood seeping from every inch of his body.

“Help me!” Brandon cried in terror.

He pulled up his pants, horrified to see the ants crawling under his skin, gnawing at him, and burrowing deeper into his flesh.
He collapsed on the ground, writhing in agony.

“How could this happen?” Windsor said, his expression a mix of confusion and shock.

He had just returned to the country, and many things were still unclear. Now, seeing these two men suffering, he was terrified, instinctively taking a step back.

“911? I need to call an ambulance,” Windsor said, reaching for his phone in a panic.

But before he could speak further, a hand grabbed his wrist from behind and twisted it sharply. He grunted in pain as his phone fell to the ground.

Windsor quickly turned around to see Percival’s tall figure standing behind him.

“Who, who are you?” Windsor was shocked.

Meeting Percival’s cold, piercing gaze, Windsor could almost feel the icy pressure crushing him. He stood there, suffocating under the intensity of Percival’s aura.

“So, the suburban villa is your doing? The magic array there, is that your work too? The ten people who died, were they also your doing?” a voice interrupted.

Odalys strode in, her small hands clasped behind her back as she faced the scene. Brandon and Rafael trembled when they saw her.

The sight of her brought back shadows of the past, but even they, as foolish as they were, knew what was happening. They had been locked up for so long, and now that they had a chance to escape.

In a hurry, they all came to the Bennett family.

However, seeing them now meant that Percival and Odalys must have overheard everything they had just said. Both men looked nervous.

“Feeling uncomfortable?” Odalys looked down on Brandon, her voice cold.

When Brandon met her eyes, a terrifying fear surged through him, overwhelming him like a flood, drowning him completely.

“Do you know why this is happening to you? It’s because your fate is tied to your son’s. When you chose to come to the Bennett family, your son was already dead!” Odalys continued, her voice unyielding.

She added, “I warned you before. If you dared to do anything reckless, you’d face the consequences!

“I also told you, if you tried to deceive me, you would pay the price. But you only wanted to get close to the Bennett family, hoping to ally with Windsor.”

“You forgot that your son was still seriously ill. The moment you took that step, it meant the end of your bloodline,” she said coldly.

Brandon stood frozen, his mind blank. He felt as though he had just been struck by a bomb.

“No, no, it’s impossible,” Brandon stammered, still in disbelief.

He then remembered the warning Odalys had given him back in the village. She had told him to stay loyal, that if he dared to lie, it would backfire.

At the time, Brandon had dismissed her as a young, inexperienced woman, believing she couldn’t have such power. Over time, he stopped taking her seriously, never expecting her to appear now.

“Is that so? When you fled, I made sure to bring him with me,” Odalys said, her voice chilling. As soon as she finished speaking, a group of bodyguards appeared, dragging a figure toward them. The figure was thrown to the ground. When Brandon saw the person’s face, he collapsed to the ground in shock.

“My son… my son!” Brandon screamed, scrambling toward the body.

His son’s body was stiff, covered in wounds, and they were eerily similar to the ones Brandon had.

“How could this happen?” Brandon murmured in disbelief.

He had only escaped, gone to the villa, and then sought out Windsor. Now, his son was dead in front of him.

“Because of your selfishness, not only did you cause harm to others, but you’ve abandoned your son. This is pure selfishness!” Odalys sneered coldly. “Now, you’re free of all constraints, but you’ve lost your son. And now, you’re just a seventy-year-old man with nothing left.”

Chapter 350

Brandon collapsed to the ground, staring at her with a dazed expression.

“You killed my son!” Brandon shouted, leaping to his feet and lunging at her.

Before he could touch Odalys, Callum kicked him away.

Brandon fell heavily to the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood.

“You killed him. Your past evils have already brought suffering upon your loved ones, yet you still refuse to repent.” Odalys sneered.

These people were selfish, quick to shift blame onto others, and never took responsibility for their actions.

Odalys said, “You killed your wife, your daughter- in-law, your grandson, and tonight, you killed your own son. All for your so-called desire to use someone else’s fortune to prosper your family.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. “But now, you’ve lost all your descendants.”

Her words pierced through him like needles, each one driving deeper.

Brandon collapsed into a seat, completely stunned. “It couldn’t have been me. I’d never hurt them,” he mumbled.

Percival strode forward to stand beside Odalys, looking down at Brandon.

“You were willing to sacrifice your own son for the Bennett family. Seems like Windsor’s life was more important to you than your own son’s,” Percival said sharply.

Hearing this, Brandon suddenly looked up.

He stared at Windsor, his face full of desperation, before scrambling to his feet and rushing toward him.

“Windsor, you have to save my son. We made a deal before, didn’t we? My family’s blood was mixed with yours before. Use your blood to save him,” Brandon pleaded frantically.

Windsor shook off his hand.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, you crazy old man! Who let you into my family?” he snapped.

From the conversation earlier, Windsor could tell that these two young people were far more powerful than he had realized. He began to sense that his secrets were at risk of being exposed.

Having just returned to the country, he couldn’t risk causing trouble. His only option was to extricate himself from the situation and wait for a better time to pursue other leads.

Thinking of this, Windsor became determined and kicked Brandon away.

“Odalys! How can you speak to Dad like that?” Sophia’s voice came from the shadows.

Sophia stepped forward, running up with an aggrieved expression, glaring at Odalys.

Windsor immediately froze. He looked closely at Odalys’s delicate face, and memories from half a year ago flooded his mind. It was the photo that Hannah had sent him.

The person in the photo looked exactly like Odalys.

At that time, he hadn’t paid much attention to this daughter. He had taken one look and then forgotten about it. Now, looking at her, he felt an odd sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but couldn’t place where. “You are Odalys?” Windsor asked, squinting his eyes and putting on airs.

Odalys felt ironic that Windsor didn’t even recognize his own daughter. And now that he knew her identity, he was trying to put on airs. Seeing her cold, piercing gaze, Windsor’s face darkened.

He raised a hand, signaling for her to go away.” You’re my daughter. What are you doing out here at night with a man? Go home.

Don’t leave the house without my permission,” he ordered coldly. Odalys’s smile deepened as she looked at Windsor, almost as if seeing a fool. She slowly stepped forward, heading straight toward him.

Odalys said, “Mr. Bennett, are you so used to people flattering you that you’ve lost sight of your capabilities? Did you think a few years of hiding abroad constituted advanced studies?

“You even slept with your adopted daughter. You are such trash. Do you really think you are worthy of being my father?”

She scoffed, her eyes filled with contempt. “Your bloodline disgusts me. Do you think you’re intimidating? Trying to suppress me? Look at yourself in the mirror and see how pathetic you are.”

With each sentence, Windsor’s face darkened further, his expression twisting in rage. He never imagined Odalys would dare to speak to him like this.

“You!” he snarled, raising his hand to strike her. Yet Odalys didn’t even flinch. She stared at him coldly as if daring him to follow through, fully confident he wouldn’t dare.

As Windsor swung his hand down, it was caught mid-air.

Percival wrenched Windsor’s wrist, sending a jolt of pain through him.

Percival hadn’t broken it, but he had dislocated it. Windsor staggered back, clutching his arm, but Percival grabbed him by the throat.

“Mr. Bennett, do you know the consequences of disrespecting my wife?” Percival’s voice was low and menacing. “Should I send you to hell?”

The threat was palpable, and Percival’s fingers pressed harder, as though ready to snap Windsor’s neck.

Windsor’s terror was evident in his wide eyes. Suddenly, Percival released him, throwing him backward with ease.

Then, Percival took out his handkerchief and wiped his fingertips indifferently, as if his hands were dirty after touching him.

“You! You’re Percival?” As dimwitted as Windsor was, he was stunned to hear the man call Odalys “wife.”

He stared at Percival, a mixture of disbelief and fear on his face. Finally, he stammered, “But you’ re supposed to be dead.

How…? You weren’t given more than a month to live.”

Windsor was utterly shocked. The intelligence he received was never wrong.

He had only returned to the country after confirming Percival was dead. Yet, here he was, alive and standing right in front of him.
“If I weren’t alive, how else would I lure you back?” Percival replied with a cold smile.

Sophia stared at Percival’s tall figure, collapsing to the ground in shock as she saw him merge with the memory of the figure who had picked up Odalys after the variety show recording.

He was the one who booked the private jet and sent everyone from the program team back to Crownridge, but he didn’t include her, Atlas, or Finnian.

“So you’re Percival?” Sophia couldn’t care less about anything else.

Her eyes brimming with tears, she scrambled to her feet and strode over to stand before Percival, her expression that of a deeply wronged child.

Her eyes brimmed with emotions she didn’t bother hiding.

“Percival, I’ve finally met you! Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment?” Her voice quivered with emotion.

She continued, “I was supposed to be the one to marry you. But my sister stole that chance from me! She got on your family’s good side while I wasn’t looking!

“I’ve been trying to contact you, but I couldn’t find you! I never thought we would end up like this.”

Her tone grew desperate. “We were supposed to get married a month ago. I wanted to bring you good fortune, to take your place and bear all your pain, even to die for you if I had to.”

Sophia’s gaze lingered on Percival’s imposing figure, her desire and greed plain to see.

She craved the power, the wealth, the man who embodied both.

If Sophia had known Percival wouldn’t die, she would never have pushed Odalys into marrying him. Now, regret consumed her.
Percival was so handsome and so rich. In her eyes, no one else in the world could compare to him.

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