Chapter 451
Just as Hannah reached for her phone, she felt an icy pressure on her wrist. The old man had raised his foot and stepped on her hand, pushing her phone away with a swift kick. “What do you want?!” Hannah screamed in terror. Without answering, the old man pulled a knife from his robe and swiftly slashed it across her arm. Blood oozed from the wound, and only then did he nod in satisfaction. “The negative energy here is so dense. It needs a bit of color to match the atmosphere, don’t you think?” he said, his tone almost playful as he watched her blood seep out.
Hannah winced, her body jerking with pain. The old man, still standing, looked around the Bennett Villa.
“After leaving Crownridge for so long, I’ve finally found my energy field here,” he muttered to himself with a quiet satisfaction. He then kicked the sofa off her, his movements deliberate and almost casual.
Hannah felt the weight lift, and before she knew it, he had dragged her back into the living room, her body bouncing across the floor as he pulled her along.
Her previous arrogance and defiance had evaporated entirely, replaced by a deep, gnawing fear. The once lively Bennett Villa was now silent, empty, and suffocating. It was as if she were in a mausoleum-completely alone, with no one to help her. She had never imagined that someone would barge in here and assault her like this.
“What do you want from me?” she gasped, the pain from her wound making it difficult to speak. She was no fool; she was Hannah, after all. She had clawed her way to the top, and she knew that this old man was no harmless villager.
His words had made it clear: he was here for the Bennett family, and it seemed his presence here wasn’t accidental. If he had targeted Sophia and Odalys before, then now, with everything unfolding, he was clearly here to finish what he’d started.
She recalled his words about his son dying right in front of her home, and the chill that ran through her was almost unbearable. Her mind reeled with the implications.
“I heard you and Windsor divorced. I assume he won’t be back here for a while,” the old man continued, his voice light, as if he were talking about the weather. “And your sons have all moved out. I even saw that your youngest son has left. It seems like we’ll be living together from now on.”
He spoke so casually, almost as if it were inevitable, and then, without further thought, he reached for a coffee cup and began brewing himself a cup of coffee.
Hannah watched him, growing increasingly nervous. This wasn’t some rustic old man from a mountain village; he had the demeanor of someone who had enjoyed the luxuries of a wealthy life. The way he prepared his coffee with such care only confirmed her suspicions.
‘Who was this man? And what did he want?’ Hannah’s heart raced. Her instincts screamed that something terrible was about to happen, but the fear was suffocating. She bit her lip, trying to focus, trying to stay calm.
“Don’t worry,” the old man said, taking a slow sip of his coffee, his eyes glinting with something dark. “I won’t kill you.”
As Hannah tried to push herself up, the old man, with a casual flick of his wrist, threw his coffee cup directly at her. It hit her squarely in the face, shattering with a loud crash.
She screamed in pain as the hot liquid burned her skin, and before she could react, everything went black.
The old man stood up, taking a moment to survey the room, nodding in satisfaction. “The Bennett Villa truly is the most wicked place in all of Crownridge,” he muttered to himself. “A perfect match for me.”
At 3:30 in the morning, a luxury Cayenne sped down the highway, cutting through the darkness like a streak of light. Its headlights pierced the night, pushing forward with determination.
“We’ve arrived, Mr. Stewart,” Callum said, his voice tired but still respectful as he turned to the backseat.
Percival was sitting there, staring at Odalys, who had fallen asleep beside him.
With a gesture from Percival, Callum nodded in understanding.
He got out of the car, closing the door quietly behind him but not walking away. Instead, he stood by the vehicle, gazing off into the distance, his thoughts elsewhere.
As the car came to a halt, Odalys stirred, her brows furrowing as she slowly woke up.
“Are we here?” she asked groggily, blinking as she tried to adjust to the surroundings.
Odalys stretched and opened the door, stepping out of the car.
Callum, seeing her move, hurried to meet her but stopped short when he saw her walking in a different direction.
“Percival, come here,” Odalys suddenly called out.
Percival moved swiftly to her side, noticing her urgent pace as she headed toward the old tree in front of the Stewart Villa.
When she reached the tree, she stopped, said a few words, and then opened her canvas bag, pulling out a small handful of dirt.
“Help me place this here,” she instructed, handing the dirt to Percival.
Without question, Percival took the dirt from her, walked over to the tree, and gently placed it near the roots, even arranging a flower nearby to cover it.
Once done, he stepped back.
Odalys reached into her bag once more and pulled out a talisman. She threw it over the dirt, and in an instant, the talisman ignited, turning into a torch before quickly disintegrating into ashes.
“It’s done. I’m going back to sleep now,” Odalys said, turning to leave.
She didn’t need to look back to know Percival was following her. As they walked toward the villa, she murmured, “Before you leave every day, stand under this tree for a moment. Just stand there for a bit.”
“Understood,” Percival responded immediately, his voice steady.
Odalys glanced at him, a hint of curiosity in her expression. “Aren’t you curious as to why I’m asking you to do this? Aren’t you worried I’m playing some trick on you?”
Percival shrugged and gave her an earnest look.”
I trust you. I know you wouldn’t deceive me.”
Odalys paused, a bit taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to trust her so completely, without question.
By the way, she added, “After you’ve loosened up Callum’s team, that old man from the mountain village will probably have escaped by now. You should tell your people to stop monitoring him.”
Percival’s interest piqued. “Do you know where he went?”
Odalys gave a light snap of her fingers and walked ahead with casual ease, saying, “The Bennett family. Didn’t I tell you? The Bennett Villa has the heaviest negative energy in all of Crownridge.
“Right now, it’s only the Bennett Villa and the Simpson Villa that are so steeped in it.”
“His son died there that night, and I knew right then he’d targeted the Bennett family. With his son’s death, he plans to take over the Bennett Villa’s territory.”
“This man is an expert at reading energy fields, and I’m sure he’s an old acquaintance of Windsor. But he’s been preparing for this moment all along.”
Odalys continued, her tone light as she walked, seemingly carefree. “The other night, when Rafael died outside Film Capital, I knew he would make a move. After Callum’s men let him slip away, he’d go straight to the Bennett Villa. It was inevitable.”
“And that’s why I wanted the Bennett family to tear each other apart. Once they’re all too broken to return, that’s when he’ll slip in.”
She spoke with such ease, as though everything had already been orchestrated and was unfolding exactly as she had planned.
Everything, it seemed, was under her control. She may have appeared simple, but to those who truly knew her, she was already several steps ahead.
Chapter 452
She didn’t speak, but that didn’t mean she was unaware of everything, nor did it mean she was doing nothing.
“What do you want me to do?” Percival asked, surprised. He looked at Odalys with admiration, even a hint of reverence. He had never
encountered a woman like her before-one who seemed to shine from every angle.
“Just come by and check on it every day,” Odalys replied casually.
She lifted her foot to ascend the stairs, but then paused as if an idea had suddenly struck her. After a moment of silence, Odalys decided to sit down on the steps. Percival, seeing this, made no move to act superior, turning around and sitting beside her.
Together, they gazed at the front yard of the Stewart Villa.
Odalys said, “Yesterday, Orson and I took advantage of the Bennett family’s situation and caused some trouble for Edie. I saw her consciousness, and what I found was odd- there was no trace of your father in her mind.”
“I mean, she and your father were married and lived together, so why is there no trace of him in her memories?” Odalys continued, her tone thoughtful.
“All I saw was her starting to distance herself from you after your father’s death and aligning herself with the Simpson family. This leads me to think that perhaps someone erased her memories. But if she had her memories wiped, yet still speaks of her past, it suggests she doesn’t think those memories are disgraceful. So, why erase them? On the other hand, it could mean she’s not really Edie. Without her previous memories, perhaps she’s someone else entirely.” Though this revelation shocked her, Odalys knew she needed to share it with Percival, who had to know the truth.
“I once suspected she wasn’t who she claimed to be, but after investigating everyone who had contact with her, I found no sign of anything unusual. Aside from returning to the Simpson family, she didn’t stay anywhere for long. All the people she associated with were regular high- society wives or business figures. I monitored these people, but nothing strange came up.” Percival explained, his voice steady.
Odalys raised an eyebrow in surprise. She hadn’t realized that Percival had already entertained the possibility that Edie was a fake. Perhaps he had long suspected something was off.
Odalys said, “Regardless of the reason, it’s true that there are no memories of your father in her mind. After I performed the ritual with you, she seems to want to distance herself from the Stewart family altogether.”
Odalys continued. “She’s been with the Stewart family for so long without thinking of leaving, but after the scandal with Henry, she’s been playing a dangerous game, retreating to the Bennett family. Even if she came after the Bennett family, she wouldn’t have discarded the Stewart family so easily unless she was trying to provoke you. It’s as if she sensed something was wrong and wanted to run.”
Odalys paused for a moment, visibly conflicted. ” But I can’t prove anything; it’s just a gut feeling. She seems to want to distance herself from the Stewart family, perhaps because she fears something will be uncovered. It could be related to her lack of memories about your father.” The complexities of the human heart were hard to decipher, and this was one mystery that Odalys couldn’t fully unravel yet.
Percival explained, trying to piece everything together. “You disrupted her plans. She had previously plotted to curse Grandpa, leading to his leg injury. You found the astrological signs buried under the tree and even uncovered the dead man’s clothes in the pool. It was a well- guarded secret, but when things went missing, she began to suspect.
“We didn’t confront her about it, but that pushed her into a corner, making her act recklessly. A person who has done something wrong will always be afraid. When you established Magic Entertainment and grew close to Grandpa, she had nowhere to turn. And after Dorian’s situation, I suspect she might have been behind it. That’s why I had my men monitor her-so she would know she was being watched.”
Odalys was taken aback.
“You purposely let her know she was being monitored? To make her nervous and force her to reveal herself?” she asked in disbelief.
Percival nodded subtly, leaning back on the stairs, his strong arm bracing him as he relaxed into the position. He looked up at the moon, the soft light casting shadows over the Stewart Villa’ s front yard.
At this moment, he seemed to genuinely enjoy sitting in quiet company with Odalys, conversing peacefully without the tension of business or strategy hanging over them.
“Before, when no one was watching her, she lived a comfortable life, thinking she had control over the Stewart family. If we hadn’t pushed her into a corner, why would she have rushed to marry Henry?” Percival mused aloud.
He chuckled softly, a deep, almost amused sound. “When she joined the Bennett family, she essentially cut ties with the Stewart family, and that’s when the Simpson family could no longer sit idly by. Otherwise, why would Quinton and Windsor have rushed back to the country?”
Every move Percival made was meticulously planned.
“He never did anything without purpose, and every action was designed to leave no room for opposition.
If he chose not to act, there was still a way out for his adversary. But once he made a move, the other side had no choice but to lose.
This was the mindset of a master strategist- one who pulled the strings, making decisions that would eventually lead to total control.
“You’re incredible,” Odalys said, her eyes glowing with admiration. At that moment, it felt as if she had found a kindred spirit in Percival-someone who saw things the same way she did.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Percival responded, returning the compliment with a smile.
Odalys tucked her legs under her, resting her head on her knees as she gazed at him. Her small hand cradled her face, and they shared a quiet moment, exchanging smiles.
“It seems like you’re waiting for the Simpson family to lose their composure. No wonder Edie and Henry’s whirlwind marriage caught everyone off guard, and yet the Simpson family hasn’t made a move. She doesn’t even have the right to return to them anymore.”
Odalys said, her lips curling into a knowing smile.
“Turns out this whole situation was orchestrated by you to force her hand, severing the Simpson family’s hold over the Stewart family,” Odalys added, clearly pleased with herself.
Percival smiled faintly. “Exactly.”
He shifted his gaze back to the tree nearby, where Odalys had asked him to place the dirt earlier. His eyes lingered for a moment longer, as though he were searching for something in the shadows.
“I’m going back to my room now,” Odalys said, rising to her feet.
She made her way toward the Stewart Villa, the night growing deeper and quieter. The house was still, the servants asleep, and Evander was likely already resting.
As Odalys hurried upstairs, Percival remained behind. As he began to rise, he felt a strange sensation-a flicker of something. Turning around, he thought he saw a figure standing beneath the tree, but by the time he looked more closely, the figure was gone.
He furrowed his brows, wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him.
“Must be the exhaustion,” Percival muttered to himself, rubbing his temples. “I’ve been through a lot tonight.”
His thoughts lingered on the image of his father -his love for coffee, the way his spirit had been trapped in the junction of energy after his death.
Percival felt a pang of sorrow in his chest. Once everything was settled, he would take Odalys and bring his father home.
Chapter 453
Percival thought he must bring his father home. With that thought, Percival felt an unshakable resolve, as though a new sense of purpose had awoken within him. It was as though, for the first time in a long while, he could see a glimmer of hope. Now, more than ever, he wanted to live- really live-and bring his father back.
After returning to his room, Percival lay in bed, the weight of everything pressing on his mind. Meanwhile, Odalys had just finished her shower and was standing by the large windows, pulling the curtains open. She was drying her hair, her gaze drifting toward the old tree outside.
In that moment, a faint, ghostly figure appeared beneath the tree. He was sitting quietly, his eyes directed toward Odalys. Though the man was translucent, neither fully there nor completely gone, their gazes locked. After a brief moment, the figure vanished, like a mirage.
“Don’t worry,” Odalys whispered, her voice soft, yet firm. “You and the Stewart family’s ancestors saved both Percival and me, and protected Callum. I won’t leave you behind. I’ll truly free you from that place.”
She hadn’t expected the spirits of the Stewart family to be so powerful. When someone dies, their soul should dissipate, but the Stewart family’s ancestors-despite their physical tablets residing at the Stewart Villa-seemed to still have a presence.
The very fact that others had replicated their tablets and offered them worship hadn’t gone unnoticed by them. These spirits, deeply connected to Percival, had even ensured the protection of his astrological signs.
Had it not been for them, Odalys feared the pressure on her astrological signs would have taken a heavy toll on her body. Even if she hadn’t jumped, her life would have quickly deteriorated. But now, with Percival’s father unknowingly guarding her, both she and Percival were being protected.
She hadn’t told Percival about this. She suspected, however, that he could sense it too. He was an adult, and sometimes, the heart knows what words cannot express.
And when Odalys had asked Percival to place the soil beneath the tree, it had a deeper meaning. As long as Percival’s father’s spirit longed to come home, the soil would act as a tether. With Percival visiting daily, it was only a matter of time before his father’s consciousness would awaken. Once awakened, the spirit would desire to return home.
“And if that desire was strong enough, it would find its way back.
With that thought in mind, Odalys pulled the curtains shut and returned to bed, her mind still swirling with plans and revelations.
As she settled into bed, Odalys noticed her phone was flooded with messages.
[Odalys, where have you been? No replies, are you okay?]
[Odalys, are you sleeping?]
[Odalys, where are you? Are you safe?]
[We just finished shooting. Everything’s good, what about you?]
Freya, Selah, Stellan, and Francis had been taking turns checking on her, clearly concerned for her well-being. Each one had even called her, but she hadn’t been able to answer since she was at the junction of energy-a place with no signal.
Odalys felt a warmth in her chest as she scrolled through the flurry of messages and missed calls. It feels nice to be cared for, she thought, a smile tugging at her lips.
She quickly sent a voice message in the group chat, and within seconds, Freya picked up the call.
“Odalys, you’re finally back! You scared me! I thought something had happened to you,” Freya’s voice came through, filled with worry. “Are you okay? What happened?”
Selah and Freya’s voices were anxious, and Odalys could hear them walking.
“I’m fine. Just had to take care of some things. There was no signal, so I didn’t see the messages,” Odalys quickly reassured them.
It was strange. She used to have no friends, but now it felt so nice to be missed, to know people cared.
“Odalys,” Stellan’s voice suddenly interrupted, ” Around midnight, my mom got a message saying Hannah called her, asking for help at the Bennett Villa. My mom just yelled at her and blocked her number.”
Odalys was caught off guard. “Hannah called your mom? I thought she and your mom didn’t get along-didn’t they have some beef because their names were the same?”
Stellan laughed as he typed furiously, his voice still a little breathless. “Yeah, but my mom doesn’t mix with the high-society crowd. She’s more of a self-made businesswoman, so there’s no real interaction with Hannah. I didn’t expect Hannah to ask my mom for help, though.”
“My mom also told me to remind you not to go down the Bennett family’s path. She’s suspicious there’s some internal strife brewing in their ranks,” Stellan continued, his voice now more serious.
Odalys immediately opened her WhatsApp.
Sure enough, she saw a message from Sienna sent two hours ago. It seemed that Sienna, seeing Odalys hadn’t replied, had asked Stellan to pass on a message, perhaps hoping to reach her through him.
But as she glanced at her phone, she noticed a new message from Percival.
His was the only one sent in the middle of the night, and it was just a short, blunt message. “Hannah called you for help? I told her to go die and blocked her number.”
Odalys blinked, stunned. She hadn’t expected Percival to be so harsh, let alone tell someone to “go die.” Her mind was racing.
She had just dozed off in the car, and so much had happened while she was asleep.
She quickly checked her blacklist, confirming that Percival had indeed blocked Hannah. A laugh escaped her as she realized the gravity of what Percival had just said. That’s one way to cut ties, she thought, amused.
“She’s something else, isn’t she?” Freya chimed in, clearly offended on Odalys’ behalf. “One minute, she’s begging for help, the next she’s kicking you aside. The Bennett family really is disgusting.”
Selah, busy applying a face mask, passed a sheet mask to Freya, who didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy venting about Hannah’s audacity.
Meanwhile, Francis had been quiet. He had just gotten out of the shower and was now standing in the living room, holding a bottle of beer, when he spoke up.
“Odalys, a snake crawled into my room. What should I do?”
“A snake?” Odalys replied, startled.
“What kind of snake?” Stellan, Freya, and Selah asked in unison, their voices all edged with panic.
The group immediately rushed into the living room of their suite in the Film Capital Hotel, where they had been staying during the shoot.
The door flew open as they barged in.
Francis, slightly flustered, turned around, gesturing awkwardly to the sofa. There, coiled around the armrest, was a snake, its head raised, curiously staring at the group.
“Where’s it?”
Freya was thoughtful enough to convert the voice message into a video, allowing Odalys to clearly see what was going on here.
Francis silently extended his hand, pointing to the snake coiled on the sofa. If you didn’t look closely, you might mistake it for a belt. It lay there, its head emerging and hovering in mid-air, curiously watching the group of people flooding in.
“Odalys, is this the one?” Francis asked, his voice dripping with embarrassment.
Chapter 454
He quickly adjusted his bathrobe, holding his phone in one hand as he pointed it in the direction of the snake.
Was it the same one that had followed Odalys before? He wasn’t sure, but it seemed dangerous -possibly a venomous one. They couldn’t afford to take any chances. If it struck, things could get complicated.
Before Odalys could say anything, the snake suddenly coiled up and swung its tail with a sharp whip-smack into a nearby lamp. In the blink of an eye, it shot up to the ceiling, sticking to the wall like a shadow.
Before anyone could react, the snake flew toward them.
“Ah, shit!”
“Goddamn!”
They all screamed in unison, terrified. The snake slithered around Francis’s neck, then flew to Freya’s collarbone, bounced onto Stellan, and burrowed into his towel. With a swift twist of its body, it slithered out and made its way to Selah’s face, sitting there as if it owned her.
The group was so startled that they fell to the ground. Selah’s vision blurred, and she nearly fainted from the shock.
The snake, apparently satisfied with the chaos, darted towards the window and leaped out, arrogantly disappearing into the night.
“Wait… did it just sit on my face?” Selah was still frozen in disbelief, her hand instinctively touching her face as if trying to make sure it wasn’t a nightmare.
Freya also touched her collarbone, still in shock. Stellan, on the other hand, covered his lower body, not sure whether to laugh or scream. The snake had crawled right into his towel, only to slither out again. Even now, his legs were still shaking from the horror of it all.
“Is it really that messed up? Is this some kind of twisted game?” he muttered under his breath.
Odalys couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s just bored, really. It’s seen you all before and figured it would come mess with you. It’s not malicious.”
They weren’t sure if she was being serious, but it was clear from the gleam in her eye that she found this whole situation hilarious.
“This isn’t messing around. It’s terrifying!” Selah still couldn’t get over the fact that it had been so close to her.
Freya’s mind went back to the last time they encountered the snake, when it had practically sat on her face. The memory sent a shiver down her spine.
“Why hasn’t it left yet?” Francis, still feeling the lingering fear, rubbed his neck where the snake had been.
The group of them all collapsed onto the carpet, while Stellan stepped forward to close the window.
“It came to Film Capital to find you. It probably sensed danger. Did anything happen while you were filming today? Snakes are sensitive creatures.”
“They’re not only sensitive, but they can also communicate. It means you no harm. We had an encounter with a giant python back in the mountain village, so it won’t attack you.”
“But if nothing’s wrong, it wouldn’t show up. The fact that it can enter your room suggests something has happened,” Odalys said after a long silence.
She knew far too well about things with spiritual sensitivity.
“Animals, as a rule, tend to avoid humans and don’t like getting too close-it’s a form of self- preservation. But if a snake actively enters your room, it could mean danger is looming.”
“We didn’t encounter anything unusual. We went to the hospital with you earlier today. After that, we just went straight to rehearsing. Stellan and Francis had fight scenes, and though they both got some minor injuries, there wasn’t anything unexpected.”
“Just now, Selah and I had a scene together, and it went smoothly without any surprises,” Freya said.”
The others were trying to recall anything out of the ordinary, and eventually shook their heads. “Really, nothing unusual. Everything went smoothly. Didn’t the Major give us some luck? Things have been going well for us,” Francis said.
The group sat on the floor in a dazed heap, too rattled to get up.
It was as if they were all old friends who didn’t care about appearances anymore, just collapsing wherever felt most comfortable.
Only Stellan, ever the practical one, grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around himself to prevent any further embarrassment from his towel not staying secure.
“Turn the lights on, will you? Freya, Selah, take off your face masks. Let me see your foreheads,” Odalys said, her voice suddenly filled with urgency.
She quickly sat up from her bed, all traces of sleepiness gone. The mood in the room had shifted from casual to tense in an instant.
“Got it,” Francis said, quickly jumping to his feet. Since it was his room, he switched on all the lights and ran his fingers through his freshly washed hair.
The two girls removed their face masks, and they all huddled together in front of the camera.
They muted their phones so that Freya could hold it while they all gathered around, their faces framed by the screen.
Odalys narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing their faces, but then her brows furrowed.
“What’s with the darkened foreheads? Did anything happen today?” she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
There was a long, uncomfortable silence.
“No, nothing unusual,” they all said, shaking their heads. But then, Francis hesitated. He pulled out his phone, his face turning serious. After a moment, he held up a message for them to see.
“This… does this count as something happening?” he asked, his voice unusually quiet.
The message read: ‘I need your organs. If you don’t agree, you’ll die.’
“It’s from my ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend,” Francis explained. “They set me up before, tried to get my organs for her boyfriend. You helped me expose them, and the police arrested them. But now… I think this is from him. He’s threatening me, telling me to comply. I didn’t take it seriously at first, but after seeing the snake, I don’t know anymore.”
The group fell into stunned silence. It wasn’t just a prank-it was a real threat.
Odalys’s face grew more serious. “The general sent to the afterlife… he passed his luck onto you four. Your destinies are now intertwined. If one of you faces danger, the rest will also be affected.”
“So yes, this definitely counts,” she said grimly.” You’re all connected by fate now.”
She quickly grabbed her ring and checked it, but there was no immediate change. She was still uneasy.
“What do we do now?” Selah asked, her voice trembling. “Call the cops? But even if they find the message, they’ll probably just think it’s a prank.”
Stellan, ever the pragmatic one, glanced at the number and dialed it.
“The number you’ve dialed is no longer in service. Please check and try again.”
The group exchanged shocked looks. They tried dialing again, but the number was no longer valid.
It was clear now: whoever sent the message had shut off their number after sending it. This wasn’t just a threat-it was a serious warning.
“What now?” Stellan asked, glancing around. “I’ll have my bodyguards take care of it. No one’s coming to Film Capital to kidnap Francis, not on my watch.”
He might have been the heir to the Drake Group, but this was getting dangerously real.
“Do you still have the talisman I gave you?” Odalys asked suddenly.
Francis nodded. “It’s in my phone case.”
“You should wear it on you. Sometimes you can’t bring your phone to set, or it might get lost. The talisman’s safety is more important.” Odalys reminded him sternly.
Francis quickly opened his phone case and pulled out the talisman. But when he looked at it, his eyes widened in horror.
“The talisman… it’s burned to ashes!” he gasped, unable to believe his eyes. “It was perfectly fine this morning before filming!”
Everyone froze, a sense of dread filling the room. Something was seriously wrong.
Chapter 455
Francis sat down heavily on the floor, his heart pounding. His eyes dropped to his chest beneath the bathrobe, and his mind replayed the terrifying images of being drugged and strapped to a table, ready for surgery.
“Is this it? Is my fate sealed? Am I really going to lose my organs?” Francis swallowed hard, disbelief and fear tightening in his throat.
Odalys leaned thoughtfully against the wall, observing him closely. She could see the panic rising in his eyes.
“Odalys, can the talisman be replaced? Should I give mine to Francis? Let him use it for now?” Selah asked in a soft voice, her concern clear.
Freya and Stellan both pulled out their talismans. Unlike Francis’s, which had been burned to ashes, the other three were intact. It seemed that the darkening of their foreheads was tied to Francis’s misfortune.
Francis had thought that once he sent his ex- girlfriend and manager to jail, everything would be over. But now, her fiancé was still after him, and it made him feel… uncomfortable.
“Why are they so obsessed with my organs? Out of everyone in the world, why me?” he thought bitterly.
“No, don’t do that,” Odalys interrupted, her voice calm but firm. “The talismans I gave you are connected to your astrological signs. If you give your talisman to him, you’ll all be drawn into this mess too.”
The others froze, their hands still hovering in mid -air, hesitant.
Francis’s gaze was steady as he pushed their talismans back toward them. “From now on, stay away from me. Even if something happens to me, you’ll have a better chance of staying safe if you keep your distance.”
He was serious. He didn’t want any of them to get caught up in his troubles.
The others exchanged a glance. “Our fates are all linked now. You can’t just tell us to stay away from you like that,” Stellan said, his voice soft but resolute. “We’re not the type to abandon a friend when trouble strikes.”
Freya and Selah nodded in agreement.
“Fine, you two avoid him,” Stellan continued.” Tonight, I’m staying with him.”
Since meeting Odalys, Stellan had felt more alive, more human.
Before, as a celebrity, he was always hiding behind a mask, playing a part. But now, with these people, he felt like he could finally let his guard down.
Selah and Freya exchanged another glance, and without a word, they got up and walked toward the door.
They came back moments later, each carrying pillows and blankets. They tossed them onto the carpet.
“For tonight, we’re all staying here,” Freya said firmly, her voice carrying a fierce determination. ” Let’s see who dares come after him now.”
With a flourish, she threw two fruit knives onto the floor, the metal clinking sharply. She smirked. “Whoever comes near him-one knife each. Let’s see who can handle that.”
“Hell no, keep that knife away from me!” Selah joked, laughing nervously.
Francis sat there in stunned silence, his heart heavy.
He looked at the three of them, his eyes filled with emotion.
His life abroad as an international model had always been tough-he’d worked hard to get where he was, constantly looked down upon.
But now, back in his home country, he had found true friendship, true care, and they were willing to risk their lives for him.
“Where’s Odalys? Why did she hang up?” Freya asked, frowning as she glanced at her phone.
She checked her screen and saw that Odalys had ended the video call ten minutes ago.
The group exchanged uncertain glances. Stellan stood up and grabbed his blankets and pillows, then locked the door behind him.
“My bodyguards are outside. Four of them are standing guard, and three more are downstairs. If anyone approaches, they’ll knock and warn us. I don’t think we have anything to worry about,” Stellan reassured them, though his tone was tinged with concern.
Though he seemed confident, there was a hint of anxiety behind his words. But he couldn’t afford to let fear seep into their minds. They needed to stay strong.
“Thanks…” Francis said, his voice dry and hoarse. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly protected.
He thought back to the last time he’d been attacked-when his ex-manager and ex-girlfriend had barged into his villa, planning to harvest his organs.
He had been desperate and hopeless, sure that he was about to die. But in that moment, when Odalys and the others had appeared, it felt like they were sent to save him. They had been his angels in the dark.
“Don’t mention it. Go to sleep; we’ve got a shoot tomorrow afternoon,” Stellan said, his usual ease returning as he made a “please rest” gesture toward Freya and Selah, who were already getting into bed.
The two men sprawled out on the carpet.
The lights were still on, but none of them felt like sleeping. Thoughts of Odalys’s words-their foreheads darkened by ill fortune-kept echoing in their minds. Sleep seemed impossible.
The room was unnervingly quiet, the silence broken only by the occasional sound of someone swallowing nervously. They all lay still, almost afraid to move, as though any movement might invite disaster.
Then, without warning, a loud clang shattered the silence.
They all jumped, instinctively scrambling toward the window. From there, they could see chaos unfolding below. The sound of fire alarms filled the air.
The shrill alarm continued to echo through the hotel. Suddenly, they heard someone banging on the door. “Hurry, there’s a fire! Get out, now!”
The hotel was on fire. Guests were rushing out of their rooms, many only in their underwear or wrapped in bed sheets. Some were barefoot, while others were still in their pajamas.
Most of the people in the hotel were actors, crew members, or producers.
No one cared about their appearance anymore- all that mattered was escaping with their lives. Below, the fire raged, and the hotel staff and security were doing their best to put it out.
The smoke thickened, and then their bodyguards burst into the room.
“What happened? Why did the fire start so suddenly?” Stellan asked, his expression filled with confusion.
The bodyguards exchanged serious glances.” We checked it out. The fire’s spreading faster than expected. Something’s off about how it started,” one of them said, his voice tense. “We need to leave now. If we don’t, it’ll be too late.” Francis knew they couldn’t wait any longer. The fire could block their escape routes, or worse, cause an explosion. They had to get out.
“We go now. If this is really because of me, hiding in the room won’t help,” he said, his voice low but resolute.
Stellan nodded, grabbing his things. “We’re leaving. But you need to stay with us. No running off on your own.”
They quickly rushed into the bathroom, soaking towels to cover their noses and mouths. They threw blankets around their shoulders and rushed out, desperate to get away from the smoke.
As they exited, a hotel staff member stopped them and urgently waved them toward the back exit.
“Hurry, the main exit is blocked. We need to use the back door, take the stairwell down, or we won’t make it!” the staff member shouted,
The fire was spreading too fast, and time was running out.
Chapter 456
The staff member hurriedly tried to guide them toward the stairwell, but after just a few steps, Freya suddenly grabbed hold of Francis. “What’s going on?” Stellan froze, confused. He stopped instinctively, and Selah, who was walking briskly behind, bumped into his back, letting out a quiet grunt. She looked up and saw Freya had halted.
“Why aren’t we moving? Are you all crazy? The fire’s already spreading; it’s reached upstairs! If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!” The staff member panicked, his urgency clear.
He turned back, grabbing Francis’s wrist roughly. Francis stood frozen, his left hand caught in Freya’s grip and his right held by the staff member. He raised an eyebrow, his usual graceful demeanor now turning colder than ice. “Why is it only you here telling us to leave? Everyone else is gone. And I’m curious, are you sure this is the way to the stairwell? Or are you some man named Cuihua with a woman’s name badge?” Francis sneered.
With that, he yanked his arm away from the staff member’s grasp.
Freya, witnessing this, gave him a thumbs up. Looks like you’re not that dumb after all.”
“This guy’s been rushing us, and I felt something was off. Odalys always said, no matter what happens, keep one eye open. Tonight, we’ve been on edge, so don’t trust anyone,” Freya said coldly.
She pulled Francis back, creating distance from the staff member. The man, standing in place, stared at them with a mocking smile.
“Seems like you’re not completely stupid. But since you’ve figured it out, it’s too late to run now,” the staff member chuckled darkly.
Stellan’s senses went on high alert.
These bodyguards were highly trained, physically fit, and sharp-yet, none of them had followed.
“Don’t bother looking. Your bodyguards are probably already dead,” the man said smugly.” You think you were placed in this room by accident? No, it’s because this room is isolated. You’re trapped, and there’s no way out.”
Selah’s gaze swept around, her eyes widening when she realized they were staying in the last room at the end of the hall.
“The hallway had no windows, and unless they returned to their room, there was nowhere else to go. She took a step back and tried to force the door open, but it was locked.
She went silent.
Biting her lip, she scanned the area, looking for any way to escape.
“Call your bodyguards. I have a feeling this guy isn’t as trustworthy as he seems,” Selah whispered, keeping her voice low.
Stellan took out his phone, checking the signal. His face dropped when he saw the “X” where the signal should be.
“No signal.” His voice sank.
This place couldn’t possibly have no signal- unless someone had used a signal jammer.
“Looks like Odalys was right. Our foreheads have darkened with ill fortune. Our fates are connected. If one of us is in danger, we’re all in danger,” Selah said grimly.
“They’ve arranged for us to be in this room on purpose. They’ve already planted eyes everywhere in the hotel.”
Stellan nodded grimly. He tried dialing 911, but nothing worked.
“What do you want from us?” Francis stepped forward, putting himself between Freya and the staff member, shielding her.
“Come with me.” The staff member’s tone was calm and unbothered, as though he knew they had no other option.
“I’ll go with you, but let them go,” Francis said, his voice steady, though his eyes were sharp. There’s a fire downstairs, and things are getting chaotic. If this gets out of hand, people will come running. You don’t want this to escalate.”
He paused. “If you’re after me, let them go. Let them leave unharmed.”
Freya instinctively grabbed hold of the hem of his clothes.
But Francis pressed her hand down, and in an odd way, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She exchanged a look with Stellan. Without a word, they both shifted their positions, and before the staff member could speak, Freya and Stellan lunged at him.
“The staff member didn’t expect them to attack. As he sidestepped, Francis kicked him hard in the ribs, his arm being pinned down by Stellan and Freya. Then Francis struck again, kicking him where it hurt, and the man let out a strangled cry, collapsing to the ground.
Selah picked up a nearby bottle and smashed it over his head.
The staff member’s eyes widened as he clutched his groin, blood seeping from his head wound. He looked up at them, groaning. “Looks like you’re still a little too soft.”
Freya, looking horrified, didn’t waste another moment.
“We need to get out now,” she said, her voice tense as she pointed to the emergency exit sign.
The group ran down the hall, pushing open the stairwell door, rushing down the steps. Their breath came in gasps as they ran down several flights.
When Freya finally stopped, panting, she stood frozen, her eyes wide with dread.
“Freya, why’d you stop?” Selah asked, propping herself up against the wall, breathless.
Freya didn’t answer at first. She just took a few steps back, her fear escalating as she stared at the stairwell ahead.
“We didn’t run that far, but… we’ve been running for so long, we should’ve reached the first floor by now. But… look,” she said, voice trembling. We’re still so high up. We should’ve reached the ground floor by now.”
Her voice cracked, and her hand clutched her throat as she swallowed nervously.
Selah’s heart sank.
“No… it can’t be,” she whispered. “This is… the Devil’s Triangle.”
“What?” Stellan asked, a chill creeping into his voice.
“I remember hearing about it. The Devil’s Triangle… it’s a place that traps you in a loop. No matter how far you run, you can’t escape. You just keep going around in circles,” Selah said, her voice growing more panicked.
“No way,” Stellan murmured. “That’s impossible.”
He turned and ran down the stairs, shouting, “I’ll go check it out. Stay here.”
“I’ll go with you,” Selah said quickly. “You can’t go alone-it’s too dangerous.”
Stellan nodded, his eyes steely. They were a team, after all.
“We’ll keep an eye on each other,” Selah added.
The two of them rushed down the stairs, leaving Freya and Francis behind, who sat frozen on the steps. They could hear the pounding footsteps growing faint as Selah and Stellan went lower. “Are you guys there yet?” Freya called out, her voice echoing through the stairwell.
Francis, equally worried, shouted, “Stellan, can you hear us?” But there was no response. “They’re not answering… can’t they hear us?” Freya murmured, her voice trembling.
Francis looked at her, his face grim. He couldn’t help but feel the weight of the growing dread in the pit of his stomach.
“Maybe we should go down and find them?” Francis suggested, his voice tense, his hands shaking.
Before Freya could answer, they both heard heavy footsteps coming from above. The footsteps were getting closer, and they both turned to look.
Someone was coming… and it wasn’t Selah or Stellan.
Chapter 457
They turned around and saw Stellan and Selah, drenched in sweat, running down the stairs from above.
“Why haven’t you reached the bottom yet?” Selah gasped.
Stellan shook his head, a look of bewilderment on his face.
When he looked down, he noticed Freya and Francis sitting on the stairs, fear written all over their faces. Stellan instinctively pulled Selah to a stop.
“What’s going on?” Selah asked, confused.
She followed Stellan’s gaze and froze when her eyes met Freya’s and Francis’s. The shock made her stumble, and she collapsed onto the ground.
“Are you real or not?” Selah whispered, her voice shaky.
Freya shrugged helplessly. “We’ve been waiting here for so long. How did you two come up from below?”
“We don’t know. We’ve been running down, but it feels like we can’t reach the end. One moment we’re running down, and the next, we’re back here. Looks like we’re stuck in some sort of trap.” Selah let out a bitter laugh and sat down, too tired to continue running.
Stellan fell silent, lost in thought.
No matter how far they ran down, they always seemed to return to the same place. This couldn’t just be coincidence.
“Seems like it’s really the Devil’s Triangle, like you said,” Francis added, his voice heavy with realization.
The situation was unexplainable-every time they tried to escape, they found themselves back at the same spot. It was as though they were trapped in an endless loop.
“Could that staff member have intentionally misled us? We knocked him out and escaped, but maybe we walked right into their trap?” Freya suggested, her voice filled with unease.
“Maybe staying put was the safest option?” Francis mused. “We panicked and ran, but maybe that was what they wanted us to do. The room could have been the safest place.”
The others were silent as they processed this possibility.
Before anyone could speak further, the lights in the hallway flickered a few times, then suddenly went out. The building was plunged into darkness.
Stellan quickly pulled out his phone and switched on the flashlight.
“What now? We can’t just sit here and wait to die,” Selah said, her voice laced with urgency.
They had to find a way out. Waiting around wasn’t an option.
“How strange. Why is it just the four of us running around the hallways? And even though there’s a fire, there’s no sign of fire trucks. No thick smoke anywhere,” Francis remarked, his mind beginning to sharpen with rational thoughts.
Having spent a lot of time abroad, he had learned to remain composed under pressure. Freya quickly pulled out the talisman Odalys had given her, clutching it tightly in her hand.
“I don’t know…” she said, her voice uncertain. Just then, they heard the unmistakable sound of high heels echoing through the hallway. The clicking of the heels grew louder with each step, reverberating like a warning in their chests.
They held their breath, inching closer together, unable to speak. The sound of the heels approached, and then, a figure emerged from the darkness, charging toward them.
Selah saw a woman in a red dress lunging at her, and she screamed in terror.
The others stared in wide-eyed horror, nearly losing consciousness in the panic, when suddenly, there was a loud “bang!” The sound echoed in the hallway, followed by the harsh flicker of lights as they suddenly turned back on, blinding them.
Freya blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the light. When her eyes cleared, she saw Odalys, standing to the side in her pajamas, smiling at them.
“Odalys! You finally arrived! I knew you’d come!” Freya exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears.
She rushed toward Odalys and threw herself into her arms.
Odalys, slightly taken aback, lightly flicked her finger on Freya’s forehead. “If I didn’t come soon, would you let yourself be defeated by this tiny Devil’s Triangle?”
“That wasn’t a tiny Devil’s Triangle! Wait… wasn’t there a woman in a red dress just now?” Freya began to protest, but then her face froze as she remembered something.
She turned quickly, but saw nothing but the four of them in the hallway. The red-dressed woman was gone.
“What woman? That was just an illusion. You were drugged, and you fell into a hallucinatory state. Everything you saw was a figment of your imagination,” Odalys explained with calm precision.
As she spoke, they heard the sound of footsteps again. This time, it wasn’t high heels, but the heavy, deliberate steps of police officers descending the stairs.
The first officer in line was none other than Lee, his face grave as he approached them.
“Good thing you called the police,” Lee said, nodding to Odalys. “We caught a few suspicious people near the hotel. According to their testimony, they were paid a large sum to bribe hotel staff and have you four placed in that particular room.
They released a sleeping gas, which slowly made you all fall into a delusional state, making you believe there was a fire. They deliberately caused noise to mislead you into thinking the hotel was burning down, and led you out of the room toward the stairwell. And here you are.” Lee motioned toward the stairwell door, walking toward it and opening it. Outside, a van sat in the shadows, its windows sealed shut, and the license plate had been removed.
Lee opened the van’s door, revealing a makeshift operating table inside, complete with surgical tools.
“This is an operating table,” Selah remarked, her voice trembling as she walked closer.
Lee nodded grimly. “This van was specially modified. Aside from the operating table, it also contains a cremation chamber.”
He pointed to the table. “What we’ve discovered is that this van is used to kidnap people, usually when they’re alone. They trap the victim, remove their organs quickly, and then dispose of their bodies by cremation. The ashes are then scattered into rivers or elsewhere, making it impossible for the body to ever be found.”
The weight of Lee’s words sank in, and Francis’s face turned ashen.
He couldn’t bear to imagine what could have happened to him tonight. If he had been captured, they would have harvested his organs, and his body would have been cremated on the spot.
“I can’t even imagine,” he whispered, his voice thick with fear. “That would’ve been me, if I had been caught.”
“That’s right,” Lee continued. “They were after Francis. His organs were targeted by a black- market organ trade group. His manager and ex- girlfriend had even matched his organs for her fiancé.”
The mention of the name “Simpson” made Odalys’s heart skip a beat.
Was it just a coincidence?
But how many coincidences could there be in a situation like this? Everything pointed to something much bigger at play.
“But their hands were clean. These people, hired to act tonight, were just paid a lot of money to do the job. They have no idea who’s behind it. The trail has gone cold.”
Lee’s expression turned serious as he looked at Francis. “Francis is in serious danger. If they failed tonight, they’ll likely try again. Once you’re targeted by these people, escaping becomes nearly impossible.”
Odalys’s eyes narrowed as she processed the information. “Can I see his file?” she asked Lee. Lee didn’t hesitate. He handed her his phone. Odalys glanced at it, her brow furrowing as she examined the information. “So, Francis’s ex- girlfriend and this Simpson guy haven’t met much?” she mused aloud.
Chapter 458
Odalys looked at the file and frowned. “She didn’t even know where his relatives or family were?” Lee nodded gravely. “That’s right. After we detained her and Francis’s manager, we went to the address she gave us. But when we arrived, the house was empty. It was a rental, and a short-term one at that. It had been booked through an agent and passed along; there were no records on them.”
“The key point here is that after meeting with Simpson, she disappeared. They never stayed there, so the woman was clearly being deceived.” “They must have brainwashed her, made her fall head over heels in love with him. We managed to get some clues through hypnosis, but now we’ve hit a dead end,” Lee explained.
“Simpson’s methods are very sophisticated,” Lee continued. “Recently, there have been numerous cases like this. Women, deliberately seducing people to match organs for their boyfriends.” This was supposed to be confidential, but Lee trusted Odalys and hoped she could help. Sticking to their investigation alone didn’t seem like the best path forward.
“Let me see all the materials, especially the women’s files,” Odalys said, becoming increasingly wary.
If Francis’s situation wasn’t an accident, then there were likely others out there, like him, being tricked by women and ending up dead in bizarre ways.
“We have the materials, but I’ll need some time to organize everything. I’ll send them to your phone once it’s done,” Lee replied, relieved. Odalys nodded, knowing it was a good first step. “Odalys,” Lee said, walking over to her, “do you think this is connected to that villa in the suburbs?”
Odalys’s gaze shifted toward the van, and she walked up to it. “Organ trafficking; this looks like a black-market operation. They’ve even come up with this vehicle that not only removes organs but also cremates the bodies right away.”
She walked around the van, inspecting it from all sides. Lee remained quiet, and the others stayed at a distance, unsure of what to do.
“Send people to the four directions-north, south, east, and west-around Crownridge,” Odalys instructed, drawing something on a piece of paper. “Let’s see if these types of vehicles are parked there.”
Freya peered over her shoulder, surprised by what she saw. “Wait, isn’t that a diagram?”
“What?” The others crowded around, curious.
“Yeah,” Freya said. “We’re standing in the center of this diagram right now, right? The four directions you’ve drawn match the spots on this diagram.”
Odalys nodded. “Exactly. Lee, have your people check these locations for any vehicles that look like this one.”
Lee took the diagram from her, his usual composed demeanor giving way to a flicker of excitement. He quickly snapped a picture and sent it off, calling for backup.
Minutes passed in tense silence.
The four of them, still shaken by the memory of the red-dressed woman, instinctively stayed close to Odalys, seeking comfort and safety in her presence.
Lee remained beside them, awaiting updates.
About ten minutes later, Lee’s phone buzzed. He answered the call and then looked at Odalys, wide-eyed.
“Odalys, just as you said, we found four vehicles parked at the exact locations you mentioned. They’re identical to this modified van. However, they haven’t dared to approach yet, but we confirmed that there’s no one inside the vehicles.” Odalys rubbed her hands together thoughtfully.
She said, “Looks like I was right. After the police sealed off that suburban villa, they couldn’t find a better place. So, they’ve been forced to use these modified vans. They’re operating under the cover of night, when the ‘negative energy’ is strongest. And what they’re after… is probably people like Francis.”
“They need organs. And Simpson’s body must not be in good condition, which is why they need a transplant.”
She paused for a moment, then added, “You should have someone look into recent cases- especially those involving people named Simpson who have had urgent organ needs or are in poor health.”
Lee agreed. “That makes sense. I’ll have people investigate immediately.”
Before he could leave, Odalys stopped him. “Don’t touch the vehicles just yet. Install surveillance or tracking devices on them first.”
Lee nodded in understanding and quickly headed off.
The others stood there, still processing the information. Selah and Freya instinctively moved closer to Odalys, holding onto her arm for reassurance.
“It’s alright. Everything’s under control,” Odalys said, offering them a calming smile.
Freya, on the verge of tears, buried her face in Odalys’s shoulder, her voice shaky. “Odalys, I was so scared… I thought you weren’t going to make it.”
Odalys chuckled softly, feeling Freya cling to h Despite her strength and training, she was still human, and the touch was comforting. It felt strange, though, since she had a toned physique, but Freya’s hands seemed to caress her waist more than necessary.
Odalys’s lips quirked as she noticed Freya’s wandering hands.
“Stop taking advantage of me,” she said with a mock scowl.
They walked back into the hotel after Odalys closed the van door.
When they returned to their room, they found the bodyguards unconscious but otherwise unharmed.
“You can go back now,” Stellan said, sensing a headache coming on.
Francis, however, remained silent, his unease palpable as he fidgeted in place.
Odalys noticed his discomfort and pulled out a talisman. “Here,” she said, handing it to him.
Francis froze, staring at the talisman she offered. He reached for it with trembling hands, gripping it tightly as though afraid it might vanish.
“It’s alright now,” Odalys reassured him. “This wasn’t a coincidence. After your manager was sent away, you’ve been under constant watch.” Francis nodded, absorbing the words. He had heard the conversation between Odalys and Lee earlier, and it confirmed everything he had feared.
He felt dry in the throat, unable to put into words the discomfort he was feeling. Dating had nearly cost him his life. Now, he was still in danger, unsure when it would all end.
“You can focus on your work,” Odalys said gently. “I’ll paint a protective talisman for you.”
She opened her canvas bag and pulled out some magic dust. The others eagerly held out their hands like children waiting for their teacher to draw a little red mark on them.
Chapter 459
Odalys carefully applied the magic dust to each of their hands, and as she finished drawing, the dust seemed to melt into their bodies, vanishing without a trace.
“Is it gone? Just like that?” Selah clapped her hands together, still checking to see if the talisman had disappeared.
“The talisman merges with your body, and it will protect you for up to two weeks. But after that, it will lose its power. With this talisman, even if you encounter the Devil’s Triangle, it won’t help you anymore,” Odalys explained.
Freya, overwhelmed with excitement, rushed over and threw her arms around Odalys’s leg, looking up at her with adoration. “Odalys, I love you so much. If I were a man, I’d marry you in a heartbeat!”
“You’re so amazing, I might just fall in love with you myself. Darling, come sleep with me tonight,” Freya cooed, teasingly.
Odalys didn’t push her away but simply looked down at her with a resigned smile.
“Fine, I’ll sleep with you tonight,” Odalys said, almost too tired to protest.
She was beyond exhausted-if not for their call, she would’ve been asleep hours ago.
Now, it was already 4:30 in the morning, the sky beginning to lighten, and she hadn’t had a single wink of sleep. Her eyes were starting to droop.
“Really? Oh my god, yes! Odalys, you’re the best! I’m going to make the bed right now!” Freya squealed, jumping up.
Selah immediately followed, calling out, “Wait, I’ m coming too!”
After the two of them ran off, Odalys turned to look at Francis and Stellan. “From now on, keep your distance from anyone associated with the Bennett family. As for Mr. Simpson, we still don’t know who he really is, but the fact that he’s targeting Francis means you’re all in danger.
“And I suspect it’s more than just his organs they want. Your relationship from the start was part of some larger plot, and I believe you might have something on you that others want,” Odalys continued, her expression serious.
If it were just about organs, there were so many people around the world; it didn’t need to focus on him. The fact that this whole thing had been exposed after he was set up by his ex-girlfriend should’ve made it impossible for anyone to target him without being caught by the police. But tonight, they went after him again. The reason? It could only be that Francis was essential.
Everything seemed to revolve around the Simpson family, and Odalys had a nagging feeling that this Mr. Simpson might be connected to the Simpson family in Crownridge. The world, it seemed, was smaller than they realized.
“Odalys, if there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word. No matter how dangerous it is, I’ll follow your lead,” Francis said, with resolve in his voice. He understood the deeper meaning of her words. After the discovery of all those bodies at the suburban villa, even he could tell this wasn’t just a simple case.
“Alright,” Odalys said with a slight yawn, her exhaustion becoming too much to hide. She got up, waving her hand at them. “I’m going to sleep now. You two should get some rest too. And if you’re scared, you can share a room. It’s always safer with someone else around, even with the talisman.”
“Stellan, who had originally planned to go back to his room, stayed behind after hearing her suggestion. The chaos at the hotel had left many people confused, speculating on what was going on. Some rumors even claimed that it was a prostitution raid.
“Sounds like some actors are getting restless. Did they get caught with prostitutes?”
“Who was it?” gossipers whispered.
The hotel was buzzing with rumors, many speculating about what had really happened.
Lee’s quiet visit with his team had been low-key, and the supposed “fire” was nothing but an illusion. In reality, nothing had happened last night-except for Stellan and the others being drugged and encountering the Devil’s Triangle in the hallways.
Film Capital was in turmoil, everyone fearing that their secret dealings had been exposed. Most kept their heads down, avoiding
conversations, since the industry was always full of scandals, and no one wanted to be the next target.
Back in Freya’s room, Odalys found herself surrounded by Freya and Selah, both clinging to her arms. She lay down between them, and before long, she had fallen asleep.
In the Stewart Villa in the morning, Percival sat alone in the living room, his broad hands holding a newspaper, but his mind wasn’t on the words. He hadn’t even read a single line.
“Mr. Stewart, breakfast is ready,” Dorian said respectfully as he approached.
Percival lifted his gaze and looked up the stairs, but there was no sign of Odalys.
“Has Odalys eaten?” Percival asked, a reflexive question.
He had become accustomed to having breakfast with her. His routine was tight-after breakfast, it was straight to work. He never waited for anyone. But now, he found himself waiting for her.
He had already been in the living room for 20 minutes, and she still hadn’t come downstairs. Percival was shocked. He hadn’t expected this. Odalys had left without telling him? And she hadn’t even rested? His brow furrowed in concern as he clutched the newspaper, nearly crumpling it in his hands. What if she hadn’t rested enough and ended up sick?
“She left early this morning?” Percival’s voice grew tense.
“Yes, the bodyguards said she left in a hurry, even in her pajamas. They tried to follow her, but she refused,” Dorian quickly explained.
Evander walked in from his morning jog, wiping sweat from his brow. He grabbed a glass of water from the servant and overheard the conversation.
“I think I know where she went,” Evander said in a low voice. “There was trouble at Film Capital last night. I suspect Odalys went to find Freya.” Percival immediately put down the business section of the paper and grabbed the entertainment news section instead.
Sure enough, there was a story about a police raid on Film Capital during the night, allegedly due to prostitution rumors. But no one had been arrested, suggesting the story was far from the truth.
“If it had really been about prostitution, the paparazzi would’ve had photos. But they didn’t capture anything. This means the police were there for another reason,” Evander said with a yawn.
“I’ll go check it out,” Percival said urgently, standing up and walking briskly toward the door, his steps hurried.
Dorian stood watching him with a satisfied smile. “Looks like Mr. Stewart really does care. He’s all flustered now that he knows Mrs. Stewart is missing.”
“Better late than never,” Evander muttered with a mocking laugh, walking toward the dining table.” Let’s prepare something to send to the hotel. I’m betting Odalys is with Freya.”
“Good. It’s nice that Odalys and Freya get along,” Dorian replied, following suit.
Chapter 460
Evander sat down, taking a sip of the cereal that had been handed to him.
“If it weren’t for Edie’s scheming all those years ago, Freya wouldn’t have moved out,” Evander murmured thoughtfully, nodding slightly. “But even now, since she’s moved into the Stewart family, she’s been playing by the rules, keeping her distance from Percival.”
Without blood ties, people are always quick to turn things into rumors. He and Freya spoke on the phone occasionally, but she rarely came to the Stewart Villa, and no one really knew about the connection between her and the family. She never relied on them, either.
“Anyone else would’ve failed to do that,” Evander added, his tone reflective.
Dorian, who had been listening intently, sighed. “I wonder if Edie regrets marrying into the Bennett family. From the looks of things, it’s a mess over there now. She’s not going to gain anything from it.”
Anyone with half a brain could see Edie’s decision was a colossal mistake.
“Speaking of which, the person you had me keep an eye on-he came back from the mountain village. I was watching him, but last night, Callum’s people let their guard down, and he managed to escape.”
“The Bennett Villa was empty last night, and after he went to the Bennett family, he took control of Hannah. Now his people are staying there. Should we go after him?” Dorian asked quietly, his tone cautious.
Evander knew exactly who he was talking about. This man had previously been the tailor for the Stewart family, creating all their custom clothes. After Odalys arrived at the old house and pulled that dead man’s clothes out of the pool, Evander had started suspecting something.
He wasn’t old enough to lose his wits.
“Since Percival has already made his move, let him stay with the Bennett family. As long as he doesn’t try to harm anyone from the Stewart family, he can keep his miserable life. But if he dares to target Percival or Odalys…” Evander’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Then we kill him.” Dorian immediately nodded in understanding. Evander met his gaze, and the two exchanged a silent, knowing smile.
“Old man,” Evander muttered, shaking his head.
Dorian chuckled and quietly served him more food.
In a hotel room in Film Capital, Odalys slept soundly until one in the afternoon. When she finally woke up, Freya and Selah were already gone for their shoot, leaving her alone in the bedroom.
“Mm…” She stretched lazily, enjoying the comfort of the bed before slowly getting up.
“After washing up, she glanced at the clothes on the sofa.
As she picked them up, a small piece of paper slipped out. It was Freya’s handwriting. “Odalys, I washed your clothes and got you a new set. Love you!”
Odalys stared at the note for a moment before her gaze shifted to the black camisole in her hands. A soft silence followed.
She slipped into the black camisole, which highlighted her beautiful collarbones and delicate shoulders. It wasn’t overly revealing, but it perfectly outlined her slender waist and enhanced her graceful figure.
The silk fabric gave her an almost ethereal glow. Her long hair was casually tied in a low ponytail as she picked up her canvas bag and headed toward the door.
“Just as she opened it, she saw a tall figure standing in the living room. The man’s back was turned as he gazed down through the floor-to- ceiling windows.
“Percival? What are you doing here?” Odalys asked, stepping forward lightly.
Hearing her voice, Percival slowly turned around. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, he froze, his gaze lingering on her beautiful black camisole, the soft curve of her shoulders, and the faint fragrance she carried. She moved like a gentle breeze, stirring something deep inside him.
As she smiled at him, his throat tightened.
“I thought something might have happened here, so I came to check on you,” Percival said, his voice awkward.
His gaze dropped to her collarbones, and he instinctively turned his face away, unable to look directly at her.
Odalys blinked in surprise, slowly realizing what must’ve happened. It seemed like whatever occurred here last night had already made its way into the public eye.
It wasn’t a surprise-police involvement would naturally lead to some kind of report.
“Yes, something did happen last night,” Odalys confirmed.
She explained the events in detail, and Percival listened in silence. But just as the conversation seemed to settle, a lazy voice cut through the air. “So, someone’s targeting Francis now?” Orson’s voice was casual as he leaned against the couch, his posture completely relaxed.
Odalys turned in surprise, finding him stretched out on the sofa, one leg raised and resting on the coffee table. His air of carefree arrogance was unmistakable.
“Orson, what are you doing here?” Odalys asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Though Orson often followed Percival around, it wasn’t unusual for him to be nearby when Percival was around. So, his presence here made sense in that context.
“Percival came to check on you, but I also had something to discuss, so I tagged along,” Orson said with a shrug, quickly retracting his leg from the table. He stood up, holding an iPad in his hand and walked toward Odalys, handing it to her.
“This is a list of people Oliver’s been in contact with over the past month, along with his movements. Our people have pinpointed a small alley where we suspect he’s hiding. I didn’t want to send anyone in yet, though, in case we alert him.”
As Orson mentioned the alley, Odalys couldn’t help but remember the old man she had seen rushing toward the same alley a while back, ultimately entering a quadrangle courtyard that had been subtly altered to contain an energy field.
“Is this the place?” Odalys asked, opening a photo on her phone.
Orson leaned over, took a quick glance at the photo, and nodded. “Yes, this is the one. He headed into a courtyard further inside.”
“It seems like Oliver knows the old tailor from the mountain village. No wonder his son died at the Bennett Villa-he was trying to time it perfectly,” Odalys muttered with a sharp laugh. Everything was starting to make sense now. “No wonder Oliver’s been so smooth in Crownridge’s upper circles. Looks like the old tailor has been helping him out behind the scenes,” Odalys added, her voice tinged with irony.
“Are they really acquainted? My people never reported them meeting,” Orson scratched his head, confused.
He was beginning to feel that everyone involved in this situation was far more complicated than he had initially thought.
“Not meeting is the problem,” Odalys said. “This man is all about revenge. Why hasn’t he teamed up with anyone? He’s been working alone, which is strange.”
The people who blend in the most are often the most dangerous.
“Oh, and remember when you told me to let Finnian go? Well, after I did, I had people keep an eye on him. Last night, Sophia was quietly pulled out of the police station by someone.
Finnian must’ve been tracking me, but instead, he ran into Sophia. After injuring her, he took her away.”
Orson shared the latest news in a low voice, adding yet another layer to the complex web they were all tangled in.
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