Chapter 591
“Caspian struggled as men held him down, tying his legs with ropes and pinning his arms to render him immobile. He thrashed as hard as he could, but it was futile.
Turning his head, he glared at Atlas, shouting,” Damn it, call the police!”
Atlas’s eyes were wide with fear. “I tried! The call just routed back here. It’s useless-they’ve got the lines under their control!” His voice was trembling.
Caspian felt his heart plummet. He couldn’t believe it. He turned to Elias, his lips forming the question before realizing it. “Who the hell are you?” “Ah.” Their response to him was pain in his body. Atlas stood frozen, horror-struck at the scene unfolding before him. Though he’d heard rumors of depravity among certain circles, seeing it with his eyes was entirely different. He stumbled back, his legs trembling as he tried to run.
“Ah.” A scream from inside the room sent a jolt through Atlas’s spine. He tripped and fell, his body collapsing to the floor. He felt a warm trickle down his leg, his terror so overwhelming that he realized he had wet himself.
The men dragged Sophia into another room and hovered over her, pinning her down. Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes blazing with defiance.
“Hiss.” The tearing sound of fabric broke through the tension. Sophia’s breath was ragged, her body tense, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
A surge of fury overwhelmed her as pain wracked her body. With a guttural scream, she lashed out, her fingers digging into the throat of the man closest to her.
He choked, eyes wide, his hands clawing at hers. Blood poured from his neck, the metallic tang of it filling the room. Stunned, he stumbled back, clutching at the wound. Blood spilled onto Sophia’s face, warm and sticky.
“You… you…” The man croaked before collapsing in a heap, the pool of blood spreading beneath him.
Blood trickled from her fingertips, though she held no weapon. Yet she had managed to slash his neck. The man clutched at his throat, the blood seeping through his fingers.
Blood poured out in greater amounts, and as he tried to rise, his body collapsed with a heavy thud.
“Someone’s been killed! Someone’s dead!” The other man shouted, his voice panicked.
The other men had never come across a woman like this before. They’d heard she was stunning -a celebrity and their greedy desire was nearly spilling over.
“But their smugness evaporated when they listened to a bloodcurdling scream. Spinning around, they saw their companion on the ground, bleeding out.
Before they could react, Sophia lunged at them. Her hands darted to their chests, and with a powerful motion, she tore through their torsos. Blood spattered across the walls, and their lifeless bodies crumpled to the floor.
“Ghost! She’s a ghost!” one of them shrieked, scrambling to escape. But as he tried to run, he stumbled and fell.
Sophia appeared behind him, her fingers trailing over his chest before drifting to his face. With a wicked grin, she whispered, “What are you afraid of? I’m not a ghost.”
The man trembled, overcome with terror. He wet himself as she pressed her palm against his chest, holding him in place.
“Bang!” The door burst open.
Elias stood in the doorway, surveying the carnage inside. Bodies lay scattered in disarray, and there she was-her expression calm yet chilling. She smiled at him.
“No!” A scream escaped from the man Sophia held.
Elias’s eyes widened as Sophia pressed her fingers into his chest. He collapsed, his blood and organs spilling out onto the floor. Elias, a man who thought he had seen it all, froze at the sight.
Sophia turned her attention to him, tilting her head as if curious. “I heard you’re planning to buy me for a posthumous marriage, right?” Her voice was sweet, almost playful, as she picked up her discarded clothes and slipped them on, moving with an unsettling calmness.
From the living room, Caspian and Atlas saw everything. They watched her, stunned. Blood dripped from her hands, her expression cold and indifferent. For the first time, they realized how truly dangerous she was.
“Don’t come any closer!” Elias stammered, his usual bravado replaced by trembling fear.
“Fine,” she replied, her voice like silk. “I’ll keep my distance-if you transfer 10 billion dollars into my account.” She brushed a finger over her lip, her gaze settling on Caspian.
His stomach churned. Something about the way she looked at him made his skin crawl. He glanced toward the room where the massacre had unfolded, his breath quickening. He no longer felt safe anywhere near her.
“10 billion dollars? You’re out of your mind!” Elias’s voice cracked with panic.
Sophia moved in a blur, her fingers clamping around his throat. Her nails dug into his skin, drawing a gasp from him. She pinned him down on the couch, her weight pressing into him. He stared wide-eyed as she forced him down onto the couch. His mind went blank, his gaze glued to her face. Her deceptively sweet voice purred, “Be good-give me 10 billion dollars.”
Before he could say a word, pain shot through him as her fist found its mark, nearly knocking him out. He blinked in shock as she casually picked up a fruit knife. The blade’s edge hovered menacingly close, her expression as calm as if she were picking out a piece of fruit.
“Your choice,” she said softly. “A single slice, or should I take my time and carve it up?” “Damn it.” Elias croaked, trembling under her grip. Facing her gaze, he swallowed the curse on the tip of his tongue.
“Transfer it-10 billion dollars. Not a cent less,” Sophie said with a sweet smile. Her fingertips brushed over his skin, trailing a line of fresh cuts that bled steadily.
Her touch was unnaturally sharp, like she’d shaped her fingers to slice. Within moments, Elias was drenched in his blood, trembling so violently that his hand could barely hold his phone. “I’ll transfer it! Just don’t kill me!” he pleaded.
“Didn’t your son die? Are you still planning on that posthumous marriage?” Sophia asked in a low voice.
“I don’t have a son,” Elias said quickly.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Caspian. He averted his gaze quickly, unable to meet her eyes.
The sound of the transfer confirmation chimed, and Sophia straightened. She stepped off the couch with measured grace, walked a few paces, and then looked back at the trembling man.
Her smile widened, the expression almost kind. Don’t be so scared. I’m not going to kill you,” she said sweetly. “As long as you keep working for me, that is.”
With that, Sophia strode toward the door. She threw it open to find Caspian and Atlas frozen in place.
“What are you waiting for? Want to stay here forever?” Sophia barked.
The two scrambled to their feet, and at the last second, Caspian rushed back to carry Henry out. They selected a car from the villa and drove off without looking back.
From a shadowed corner of the property, Orson’s voice broke the silence. “What the hell was that? What kind of hand does she have?”
They arrived just in time to witness the tense negotiations between Caspian and Elias. Before they intervened, Odalys had remarked that the whole setup seemed off. She thought, ‘Look at his face-he’s lying. This guy probably doesn’t even have a son.
“Odalys, so that posthumous marriage was fake?
Just human trafficking?” Orson asked, his curiosity apparent.
Chapter 592
Caspian was struck by how brutal Sophia had become. He thought, ‘How is this different from a monster? She’s practically inhuman, capable of tearing into people with her bare hands. It’s terrifying.’
“No,” Odalys replied, her tone measured. “The posthumous marriage is real. But Sophia isn’t the bride they’re looking for. Someone died in that villa, but it wasn’t Elias’s son.
“He’s been using the guise of these posthumous marriages to lure families desperate for cash to sell their daughters to him.”
Percival stood as they spoke, choosing not to interrupt.
“You’re saying he purchases these women and then sends them to shady clubs to make money?” Orson asked, skeptical.
“Those places have high standards-height, charisma, beauty. Women bought cheaply don’t usually meet their requirements.”
“Not necessarily,” Percival said. “What if he is using them for posthumous marriages? It wouldn’t be human trafficking, strictly speaking.” Orson frowned, more confused than ever. “Think about it,” Orson continued. “In some families, parents value sons more highly than daughters, so they treat daughters as expendable. If they see an opportunity to profit by selling them off, the numbers could get staggering.”
They all knew how prevalent the preference for sons still was in many communities. They’d seen families devalue their daughters and push them aside. ‘It’s a tragedy, but it happens, Orson thought.
“By purchasing daughters from less favored families at low prices, you’re effectively buying into their resentment. That resentment can be a powerful tool to exploit,” Percival observed. Orson fell silent, unsettled by the implications. He wanted to argue, to refute, but no words came to mind. He thought, ‘If they didn’t intend to care for these girls, why have them in the first place? Bringing them into the world only to neglect them-or worse, to beat or sell them off -is beyond cruel. How could anyone treat their flesh and blood like a commodity?’
The sight of these people made Orson feel uncomfortable.
“Take a look at this,” Odalys suddenly said, breaking the silence. She reached into her canvas bag and pulled out a small container. Close your eyes.”
Percival and Orson exchanged a glance before obliging. Odalys brushed something calm and soothing over their eyelids.
“Odalys, is this some kind of eye mask?” Orson murmured.
Odalys didn’t answer. Instead, she instructed,” Open your eyes.”
As their eyes adjusted, the villa’s interior seemed to shift before them.
“Odalys, what is this?” Orson squinted, looking around. The air was tense, as though it carried the weight of lingering anguish and fury. In the distance, faint cries echoed-likely coming from Elias, who suffered after his attackers beat him and left him behind.
“This villa hides more than it reveals. Those men might look healthy, but their time is already running out. Even if no one touches them, their sins will catch up soon. Follow me,” Odalys said. She walked confidently around the mansion, heading straight for a side entrance to the basement. Without hesitation, she kicked the door open. The space before them was adorned in festive colors as if prepared for a lavish celebration.
On the floor lay row after row of women dressed in ornate gowns, their faces painted with heavy makeup. But they weren’t moving-each of them was deathly still.
“What is this?” Orson murmured, a chill running down his spine.
He was a doctor; he didn’t need to examine the bodies up close. A glance at the stiffness of their faces told him they had been dead for quite some time.
“They’re all dead. Their parents sold these women for posthumous marriages,” Odalys explained.
Percival strode further into the room, his steps heavy. His sharp gaze swept over the basement, the flicker of anger in his eyes intensifying as he took in the sight of sixty-eight lifeless bodies.
Young women, all under twenty, lay in neat rows. Their delicate features were set in peaceful expressions, as if they had finally found solace, even in death.
Odalys stood still, her breath catching. Someone dismissed sixty-eight lives as unwanted burdens. Her chest tightened as she stared at them, overcome by a sense of helplessness. If only someone had loved them. If only their lives had held more value.
These children were neither loved nor cherished by their parents. In the end, it was their parents who sent them to their deaths.
No one even questioned the purpose of their existence.
“Damn it, this is worse than human traffickers. At least those women still get to keep their lives, but here they’re all killed,” Orson’s eyes blazed with fury.
Odalys let out a helpless laugh. “They didn’t die in someone else’s hands; they gave up out of despair. Abused by their parents and eventually sold here, they found a place where they could eat and stay warm.
“And so, they willingly chose posthumous marriage-chose to end their own lives.” A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
What a cruel irony.
At home, they suffered from hunger and cold. But once sold, they experienced a life they never dared dream of. And after enjoying it all, they found no meaning in living, choosing to die in gratitude.
It was grotesque. Tragic.
Orson’s anger boiled beneath the surface, caught between release and restraint. “So they gave them food and warmth, and that was enough to make them choose death willingly?” He clenched his fists. “But how is that any less cruel than what their parents did?”
“Odalys sighed. “That’s why I said earlier- Sophia isn’t like these women. She would never choose to die, and she’d never feel grateful to anyone just for giving her the bare minimum.” “But 68 women have already gone through this posthumous marriage. They’re getting greedy now, looking for ‘higher-quality’ women from wealthier families. That’s why Elias agreed to meet with Caspian.” Her tone grew colder.
“Too bad Sophia isn’t what they’re looking for.” “Percival scanned the surroundings, his sharp eyes studying the faces of the deceased women. There was something haunting about their expressions. Their faces were serene, their lips curved in faint smiles, and their brows relaxed as if they had died in bliss.
“What’s the real purpose of these posthumous marriages?” Percival asked abruptly.
“It wasn’t an ordinary posthumous marriage. The practice ensured the deceased wouldn’t be lonely in the afterlife, allowing them to rest peacefully with a partner.
“Odalys shook her head. “The purpose is to make these women willingly give up their lives so that they can serve another purpose. Before their deaths, they likely consumed something special. By the time they died, their souls were already gone.” She hesitated, then added, “Or rather, taken.”
Percival and Orson exchanged a tense glance at the mention of taken souls. Anyone else would’ve fainted by now.
Orson leaned in, his curiosity piqued. “Taken?
What do you mean, Odalys?”
He couldn’t help the strange thrill that crept through him. His previous frustration faded for a moment, replaced by the excitement of uncovering a sinister secret.
Chapter 593
Odalys circled the basement before returning to her original spot.
“What this means is that these women, bound to the posthumous marriages, aren’t truly dead. They consumed something unusual, and
someone took their souls. If fate hasn’t claimed them, I might be able to bring them back to life,” she explained calmly.
“But they’ve already been through so much- abuse from their parents and betrayal by the world. If they come back, they might trust no one. They could become weapons in someone else’s hands.” Her voice lowered. “And there’s a chance they could turn those weapons on us.” When she finished speaking, the medicine applied to their eyelids wore off.
Percival and Orson blinked, only to find the basement empty. The elaborate decorations and the corpses in bridal gowns had vanished. “They are all gone. How come they are all gone.” Orson exclaimed, rushing forward in disbelief. The posthumous brides had disappeared. He reached out, but there was nothing to touch. “It’s all deliberately concealed, cloaked from normal sight,” Odalys explained. “Elias earlier? He was just a tool for selecting their targets.” Odalys glanced at the two men. “And the person you’ve been waiting for is about to arrive.”
With that, she turned and headed for the exit. Percival and Orson quickly followed.
They cast one last glance inside as the basement door closed behind them. The emptiness remained, but wicked energy washed over them, sinking deep into their bones.
Once outside, they slipped into the shadows to hide. Their timing couldn’t have been better. Moments after they found cover, a car sped toward the villa.
Elias heard the vehicle and staggered out of the villa, clutching his injured side. The car door opened, and a figure stepped out.
She was dressed in a modified robe, her head wrapped in cloth, concealing her features.
“It’s her,” Percival muttered, his dark eyes narrowing as recognition set in.
Odalys also watched the figure intently, though there was no surprise on her face. Instead, a faint, knowing smile played on her lips.
“Her? Who is she? Do you know her?” Orson asked, baffled.
The distance made it hard to see clearly, and the cloth covering her face added to the mystery. Yet, somehow, they seemed to know who she was.
“Edie,” Percival said slowly, the name hanging heavy in the air.
A chill ran through Orson’s entire body when the name left his lips.
His mouth worked soundlessly for a moment before he pointed at the figure, his hand trembling. Then, glancing between Odalys and Percival, he blurted out, “Wait… That’s Edie? What the hell? Why would she kill all those women?”
Orson frowned, confusion growing. “And why would Edie need a posthumous marriage? You’ re her son-you’re not dead!”
He only realized how quickly he’d spoken after the words were out, his mind trailing behind. He had said the wrong thing.
The poison still lingered in Percival’s system. If no one took control soon, death would be unavoidable. Percival thought, ‘But something didn’t add up. Edie wasn’t doing this for him.’ “Who?” Edie suddenly felt eyes watching her from the shadows.
Her senses went on alert as she turned to look into the darkness. Elias, still clutching his wounded side, followed her gaze. They moved toward the shadowed corner, only to find it eerily still-no sign of anyone.
Edie thought, ‘If someone were there, they’d be terrified.’
“No one,” Elias said quietly, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Edie stood still, eyes narrowing as she looked at the injuries covering Elias’s body. Her voice dropped, tinged with annoyance. “What happened? I thought you were supposed to have someone delivered tonight. Why are you covered in cuts and bruises?”
She stepped inside, only to halt at the sight of the bloody scene. She recoiled, quickly retreating.
“What happened to the people inside?” Edie demanded, her voice sharp.
Elias, not daring to hesitate, quickly recounted everything.
Once he finished, Edie raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
“Stupid, utterly foolish,” she hissed. “The Bennett family come looking for you, and you just agree? I told you, the Bennett family are off-limits in Crownridge.”
Elias was stunned by the slap. His earlier arrogance was wiped away, replaced by a man too afraid to speak.
“I-!” Elias stammered, flustered.
Under Edie’s murderous gaze, he blurted out, ” When he said it was Sophia, I thought… She’s so beautiful. She’d be a perfect match.”
He paused, trying to justify himself. “We’re lacking women from rich families. I figured I could take advantage of the situation, make a quick gain, and settle the score with the Bennett family for you. I saw how they treated you and thought-“His words faltered, his confidence crumbling.
Edie listened, her grip tightening on the Louis Vuitton bag she held, and she swung it at him.
“I told you not to touch the Bennett family. You went ahead and meddled with them anyway. Don’t you realize that Odalys has been keeping an eye on them? If you mess with the Bennett family, she’ll follow the trail back to us.
Ultimately, they will ruin my entire plan.”
Edie was so frustrated that she nearly rolled her eyes.
She had known he was foolish, but she never expected him to be this reckless.
“I’m sorry,” Elias muttered quickly, sensing the danger.
Edie took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.
“Make sure the men of the Bennett family keep quiet. If any of this gets out, I won’t hesitate to deal with you myself,” Edie said in a cold tone as she turned to leave.
After taking a few steps, Edie stopped as a thought crossed her mind.
“What’s going on in there? Do you really think the Bennett family has it in them to do something this ruthless?” Edie asked in a skeptical tone.
As far as she knew, members of the Bennett family were all talk and no action. They did not seem like the kind of people who would kill.
“It was that woman,” Elias said. He hurriedly recounted every detail.
As Edie listened intently, her face grew visibly darker.
“Is Sophia that powerful?” Edie asked, feeling stunned.
All along, Sophia was timid and compliant, barely making her presence known in the Bennett family. Even when Windsor dragged her into the room previously, Sophia did not even have the strength to fight back.
‘Could she have been feigning all along?’ Edie wondered.
If Sophia had been masking her true nature, then she might just be the most formidable and dangerous member of the Bennett family.
“Boss, I’m telling the truth. Let me pull up the surveillance footage for you,” Elias said, quickly pulling out his phone and showing Edie the surveillance video.
Edie stared at the screen for what felt like an eternity before finally snapping out of her daze.
“Send me a copy of the surveillance footage, and find a way to reclaim the money you transferred,” Edie ordered.
Elias kept silent, not daring to speak.
Watching Edie drive away in a hurry, Elias collapsed to the ground.
In the distance, Odalys and the others had overheard everything.
“It seems she’s wary of you,” Percival remarked.
Percival felt a pang of discomfort after hearing Edie’s words.
Despite investigating for so long, he had failed to realize that Edie was the owner of the villa and that Elias was working for her.
“Edie is afraid of Odalys because she knows she is no match for her, but why would Edie hold a posthumous marriage here, and who is it for?” Orson asked, feeling puzzled.
He could not quite figure out who the posthumous marriage was intended for.
“It’s also possible that Edie’s trying to build her own power. Do you remember that Callum had an accident while on his way to investigate the debutante training class? I have a feeling that his accident may have something to do with Edie,” Odalys said.
Chapter 594
“This posthumous marriage incident feels similar to the debutante training class incident and Edie’s last name is also Simpson,” Odalys quietly pointed out.
They had been so focused on the Simpson family that they overlooked Edie.
“Edie could be the one pulling the strings behind all of this,” Odalys deduced.
Percival did not respond.
As he considered Edie’s strange behavior over the years, Percival felt that it was not beyond her to pull off something like this.
“So Edie wants to kill Callum. It could be because Callum’s on the verge of exposing her secret, or maybe because he’s working for me and she wants him out of the picture,” Percival speculated.
Orson nodded and said, “That’s possible. After all, you were both investigating these training programs and if you dig any deeper, you’re bound to find her connection to it.”
Odalys remained clear-headed.
Her mind was racing with images as she said, ” Edie probably sent Rafael to the Film Capital to harass Freya because she wanted to test the waters. Unexpectedly, Rafael died there, and the investigation revealed that Edie was the one behind it all.
“Edie married into the Bennett family, and Brandon moved into the Bennett Villa as well. Though they appear to have no connection, it’s possible that they are working toward the same goal.”
Odalys’s mind raced. She felt certain her hunch was right.
“I did some investigation and found out that Edie would return to the Simpson family every once in a while and then disappear for some time. However, when she reappears, it’s never from the Simpson family.
“Looks like she might have changed identities and gone to that village,” Percival said.
As Orson listened, he rubbed his wrists continuously.
He said, “Didn’t you say that you brought Rafael and Brandon back to Crownridge to draw out the people behind them? It’s been so long, yet no one has made a move. If the person is indeed Edie, everything seems to make sense.
“Edie was the one who poisoned you, and she lives with the Stewart family. The poison from the village was clearly meant for you. Brandon and Rafael are her goons.”
The more Orson spoke, the more excited he became.
After leaving the village, with so much happening in Crownridge, they seemed to have put this matter behind them.
Hearing their voices, Elias quickly stood up and made his way toward them.
He vaguely saw a few figures in the shadows, but before Elias could get a clear look, Orson dashed forward, circled behind him, and hurled a stone at him.
“Ah!” Elias cried out in agony.
He slowly turned his head but was immediately struck by a brick thrown by Orson.
Elias’s vision went dark, and he was knocked unconscious.
Orson, fueled by revenge, struck with considerable force, making sure the blows would not be fatal but still landing two very hard hits.
“I’ll take care of the surveillance footage around here,” Percival said.
Percival copied the surveillance footage of Sophia committing murder and sent it to Odalys. After that, he wiped all traces of their presence, including Orson’s attack, making sure to black out the footage completely.
After taking care of everything, they made their way outside and returned to their car.
Odalys said, “No wonder that snake suddenly came to Crownridge. I couldn’t figure out its purpose. It didn’t make any aggressive moves or hurt anyone once it got here.
“But it will still appear when it senses danger. This is a snake born from the giant python. It is psychic. The giant python can’t leave the village, so it sent this one. When it comes back, I’ll find time to talk to it.”
After the snake showed up, it did not make any moves, which was unusual given its sudden arrival in Crownridge.
Snakes were known for their vengeful nature- once provoked, they would hunt one down to the ends of time.
Just then, Percival’s phone vibrated.
Upon hearing that, Orson, who was about to start the car, immediately shut off the engine. He was curious to know who was calling Percival and what the call was about.
When the call connected, an eerie silence filled the car. Orson stayed completely silent, not daring to interrupt.
Both he and Odalys instinctively looked at Percival.
“Okay, I understand,” Percival said after hearing what the other party said.
After finishing the call, Percival quickly accessed his email and opened an unread message. He studied the information inside before handing his phone over to Odalys.
Orson, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, grew anxious and turned his head to look, but his view was blocked.
“Let me see,” Odalys said.
She took Percival’s phone and studied the content.
Percival said, “I sent someone to investigate two days ago. It has now been confirmed that Edie’s so-called ‘disappearances’ were actually her attempts to break free from the Stewart family’s control, under the guise of visiting the Simpson family.
“However, what Edie really did was assume a different identity and travel to that mountain village. Each time she returned, she deliberately chose the commuter train, which helped her avoid suspicion completely.
“No one would have guessed that Edie would ride the commuter train. She’s always been so proud, living a life of extravagance in the Stewart family, with the finest clothes and meals.
“And the woman whose ID card Edie used is currently in Crownridge. She’s Henry’s former assistant and had been working for the Bennett family. After the collapse of the Bennett Group, she disappeared from the public eye.”
Odalys stared at Percival, her face reflecting utter disbelief.
“Henry’s assistant? No wonder Henry and Edie ended up together-Edie had planted a spy at his side all along,” Odalys said in disbelief.
Percival said, “That’s not all. Windsor’s secretary’s last name is also Simpson. After Windsor left the country, that secretary disappeared. However, I don’t think he left Crownridge or died. He’s most likely secretly working for Edie, which explains Edie’s past wild behavior.
“Edie’s erratic behavior made her seem reckless and irrational, but her attacks on Freya might have merely been a diversion. Edie wanted people to see her as a jealous, powerless woman, while in reality, she could have been secretly building her influence behind the scenes.” Orson felt his palms growing damp with sweat. “That’s terrifying! I didn’t take Edie seriously before. I thought she was promiscuous. Not only did she have an affair with Henry, but she was even throwing herself at him, desperate to marry him, despite knowing what happened to the Bennett family.
“And after the marriage, she shamelessly cornered you and demanded 1.5 billion dollars as her retirement fund,” Orson said, hurriedly taking out a cigarette. However, instead of lighting it, Orson left it hanging in his mouth.
Percival had instructed Orson not to smoke around Odalys, knowing she hated the smell. The car had to stay odor-free to ensure Odalys’s comfort.
“Aren’t you surprised, Odalys?” Orson glanced at Odalys, who remained silent, his curiosity
growing even stronger.
Chapter 595
Looking at Orson’s curious expression, Odalys felt a little embarrassed.
She said, “Not really. Ever since I first saw Edie, I’ve suspected something was off about her behavior. Edie’s actions seemed strange, almost foolish, but the fact that she was able to marry into the Stewart family without raising suspicion shows her intelligence.
“The poison in Percival’s body didn’t just appear overnight. On top of that, the Stewart family didn’t pursue the matter of Percival’s father’s accident. Everything somehow works in her favor, which doesn’t make sense.”
Odalys continued, “Later, I heard Percival say that every time Edie returned to the Simpson family, she would disappear for a long time. =^=” If she were in Crownridge, it would be impossible for her to be away from home for so long unless she had gone somewhere far away. She wouldn’t have given up on returning to the Stewart Villa as she wanted to monitor the Stewart family.
“Another clear sign was that after my wedding with Percival, Edie’s emotional instability became too obvious. She kept picking on me, and when she messed up, Percival kicked her out of the Stewart family.
“I think Edie has been laying the groundwork, wanting to break away from the Stewart family and clear her name of all the things she’s done. If she managed to leave the Stewart family, it would mean that they never suspected her.”
“Percival was taken aback, his deep eyes fixed on Odalys. He felt as if she radiated a dazzling light.
Odalys’s words echoed his own unspoken thoughts, striking a chord deep within him.
Percival was not one to voice his inner musings. He always kept a stoic and impassive exterior. Yet, what Odalys had just said was exactly what he had been thinking.
“Percival, you and Odalys are simply a match made in heaven!” Orson said excitedly.
Orson glanced at the two of them, seated side by side in the back seat, and let out a rueful smile, the memory of his grandfather’s harsh words still fresh in his mind.
Percival said, “From tonight’s events, it’s evident that everything-from the debutante training classes to the matrilocal son-in-law programs, or the oppressive sale of daughters by patriarchal families- is intricately linked to Edie.
“So why do you think she would choose to leave the Stewart family and marry into the Bennett family, even refusing to allow those around her to harm them?” At this point, he paused.
He met Odalys’s eyes and continued, “The Bennett family holds something important for her, which is why she’s afraid of you finding out about what she has done.
“But in the current situation, the Bennett family itself doesn’t hold much value to her-except for Sophia. Sophia is a woman who could easily kill someone with her bare hands.”
Odalys nodded in agreement.
Orson remained silent, listening quietly to their conversation.
“Therefore, what we need to establish now is whether Edie has truly cut ties with the Simpson family. Is everything she’s been doing to pave the way for herself, or is the Simpson family still pulling the strings behind her?
“So far, her younger brother, Quinton, hasn’t shown up and no one from the Simpson family has shown up either. Last time, you made a move to mislead them and seized the Simpson family’s assets.
“At the time, after receiving a scolding from the Simpson family over the phone, Edie didn’t make any further moves,” Odalys said.
Orson quickly raised his hand.
“Regardless of whether the Simpson family is involved, we’ll keep an eye on Edie first. If the opportunity arises, we’ll just expose her and cut off her escape route. Let’s see if the Simpson family can stay calm then,” he said.
Percival nodded in agreement.
“That’s what I have in mind too,” Odalys said. After the conversation was over, Orson quickly got back into the driver’s seat, started the car, and sped away.
Odalys, in the back seat, turned her head and looked at the scenery along the road at night, watching everything sink into the eerie darkness. The scene from the basement replayed in her mind.
“I just asked Callum to use his network to check, and these are the names of the girls who were sold.
“Coming from average families where sons are prioritized, these girls had many sisters, so their parents withdrew them from school before they completed middle school and forced them to start working. =^=”But their wages couldn’t meet their parents’ expectations, so when someone offered a higher price, their parents didn’t hesitate to sell them,” Percival said.
Whether one was from a wealthy family or an ordinary one, everyone had their own difficulties.
Parents’ bias could cause severe emotional distress in children. Some children even developed depression at an early age, and others had thoughts about ending their own lives.
“Don’t be upset,” Percival said, his voice softening as he noticed Odalys’s pained expression.
He gently took her hand, offering her the comfort of his touch.
‘But how can he truly empathize with me without having gone through what I had?’ Odalys thought.
She said, “Don’t even get me started on having many sisters. I was the only daughter in the Bennett family, and they still wanted me dead. That day they abandoned me… If it weren’t for my master, I would have died.
“I’m no different from those women trapped in the basement. I’m just luckier! But honestly, escaping their families might be a relief for them. “At least they had food and shelter after they left. Edie was their last hope, which was why no one hesitated when she asked them to die.
“That’s why they might have been brainwashed into becoming Edie’s tools. If we try to wake them up, they might turn against us.”
Odalys was no saint, and she could not bring herself to risk her own life just because she felt sorry for others.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s not dwell on it tonight,” Percival said worriedly.
He was afraid that Odalys would overthink things.
“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” Odalys smiled weakly, pushing out a smile.
Orson drove toward the Stewart Villa. Odalys suddenly sat up straight and said, “Orson, don’t go to the Stewart Villa. Let’s go to the Bennett Villa.”
“Now?” Orson was a little startled.
It was the middle of the night. Orson could not help but feel a little scared at the thought of that gloomy place.
“Yes, I want to see Windsor’s reaction when Sophia comes back.” Odalys narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, recalling Windsor’s actions at the nightclub that night.
“Okay,” Orson replied before he turned the car around and headed toward the Bennett Villa. There were not many cars on the road in the middle of the night. The traffic lights were all green, and soon they arrived near the Bennett Villa. Orson parked the car in a dark corner and got out.
Odalys and Percival followed him, walking down the small path toward the Bennett Villa.
From a distance, they saw a car speeding toward them, which stopped in front of the Bennett Villa. Inside the car, Caspian and Atlas wore grim expressions. They did not dare to get out of the car.
“Caspian, Atlas, we’re home. Aren’t you going to get out?” Sophia asked with a sweet smile as she looked at the two people in the back seat.
Caspian and Atlas were startled when they heard Sophia’s voice.
The two of them shuddered as if they had seen a monster.
“W-we have reached home?” Atlas asked, flustered.
Chapter 596
Atlas looked up at the familiar Bennett Villa ahead, his heart sinking. He was not really happy about going home.
“Caspian, we’re home,” Atlas said quickly, nudging Caspian with his arm.
Caspian looked upset, his face clouded with anger. Frustrated, he shoved the car door open and got out. Just as he did, Sophia clung to his arm, pressing herself close to his shoulder, and said sweetly, “I’m a little hungry.”
As she spoke, she traced her fingers lightly across Caspian’s chest.
Caspian froze and looked away uncomfortably, not daring to meet her eyes.
“I’ll get you something to eat later,” he said, pushing Sophia away.
Caspian opened the passenger door and helped Henry out of the car, but the moment his hand made contact with Henry, the latter woke up. Their gazes met, and Caspian quickly stepped back. He nervously asked, “Henry, you’re awake?” “Ugh.” Henry vaguely felt a sharp pain in his head. He exited the front passenger seat and saw Sophia approaching him with a smile. She threw her arms around him and said sweetly, “Henry, you’re finally awake! You scared me half to death. I didn’t know what I’d do if you hadn’t woken up.”
Henry’s expression soured as memories of the earlier events flooded his mind. He clearly recalled being knocked unconscious by Sophia, but after that, everything was a blur.
“Let go of me,” Henry said coldly.
He forcefully pushed Sophia away, watching as she fell to the ground.
Henry strode toward the Bennett Villa without looking back. Sophia, not angered, picked herself up from the ground and said, “Why is Henry being so mean?”
The more she acted coquettishly, the more Caspian felt like he was facing a formidable foe. Caspian quickly averted his gaze and walked briskly behind Henry into the Bennett Villa. “What happened? Why am I in the car?” Seeing that Caspian had caught up to him, Henry dragged Caspian into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.
Caspian was frightened by the earlier events. “Upon seeing Henry’s furious expression, he realized that Henry did not remember what transpired at the nightclub, so he quickly recounted everything that had occurred. “You’re saying I was sold to a nightclub as a gigolo?” Henry found it absurd.
Caspian did not offer much explanation. Instead, he pulled out his phone and showed Henry the latest news, which featured multiple videos linked to Henry.
In the video, Henry was clad in a white shirt with several buttons undone, standing on stage in disheveled and provocative attire. The surroundings were all too familiar to him. It was a nightclub, and he was being auctioned off right there.
“Damn it, it must be Sophia’s doing. You said she was suspicious so I followed her to the area near the police housing complex, but she spotted me and attacked me.” Henry’s face was flushed with fury.
Henry never expected that his beloved sister would turn against him.
“Originally, I wanted to sell her off to Elias, that nouveau riche in the East District, and get her away from our family. =^=”I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. She actually killed everyone! I thought we were done for at that time,” Caspian said.
His hands trembled as he pulled out a cigarette, but he did not manage to light it.
“Damn it!” Caspian cursed under his breath.
The thought of enduring another day like this felt unbearable.
“What should we do, Henry?” Caspian asked.
Right now, Caspian could not afford to take the lead himself; he decided to let Henry face the danger while he waited to profit from the situation.
“Don’t worry. We need to keep her calm for now. I want to see what her intentions are. Find someone to investigate why Mom and Dad adopted her in the first place, and why they abandoned Odalys back then,” Henry said. Caspian nodded.
Having reached a consensus, they opened the toilet door, wanting to leave.
However, Sophia was standing outside the door, munching on an apple with an innocent look in her eyes. She said pitifully, “What are you two doing in the bathroom? I’m starving! I want some noodles.” As she spoke, she blinked innocently at them.
Her smile, once alluring and captivating, now gave them an unsettling chill, making their heads tingle with unease.
“I’ll make you some,” Caspian said, walking past Sophia toward the kitchen.
Henry stared at Sophia with a sullen expression before walking toward the living room.
Atlas did not dare to go back to his room, so he could only lie on the sofa.
“Ah!” At that moment, a scream came from upstairs.
Then Windsor’s voice came. He roared, “I told you not to mess with the Stewart family! I handed the Bennett Group to Henry and tasked you with managing the Bennett Villa, and now everything’s in shambles.
“If you don’t want to be together with me anymore, then leave!” Windsor’s voice cracked as he began to cry.
Following that, Windsor dragged Hannah out of the room.
Hannah’s attire was messy, a clear sign she had just come out of the shower. Drops of water still clung to her wet hair, which remained undried. Windsor clutched her hair, attempting to drag Hannah out, while she gripped the staircase railing tightly.
“What gives you the right to meddle in my affairs? We’re already divorced! Even if I did succeed in hooking up with Evander, it’s none of your business! Stop acting so self-righteous, Windsor,” Hannah retorted, refusing to back down.
They stood there in a face-off, eyes blazing with fury.
At that moment, Brandon stepped out of Hannah’s bedroom. One of his eye sockets was empty, the eyeball long gone, leaving half of his face a bloody mess.
Windsor trembled visibly as he met Brandon’s gaze.
“You’re back?” Brandon’s voice was calm, but his eyes were fixed on Windsor.
His words were perplexing to everyone else. Windsor clenched his fists, watching as Brandon walked slowly toward him. Brandon looked him up and down and said, “So, you are back?” Windsor’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he still did not say anything.
“It seems you really are back,” Brandon murmured, as if to himself.
He squinted at Windsor, then looked him straight in the eye. Pointing to his empty eye socket, he said, “The crystal ball exploded because the magic zone you set up failed, and it took my eye out.”
Windsor continued to stare at Brandon without saying a word.
“Don’t worry, I won’t force you,” Brandon said, reaching out and patting his shoulder a few times. Windsor stared at the hand on his shoulder.
Suddenly, he felt a violent churning in his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Windsor clenched his hands into fists, his body shaking violently. It felt as if some unseen force was hollowing him out from the inside, with two cold hands pulling him toward a dark abyss.
Windsor’s face turned ashen, and with great effort, he turned around and began descending the stairs with large, staggering steps. Every step brought intense pain as if tiny ants were gnawing persistently at his nerves.
“Dad, what’s wrong?” Henry was about to go upstairs when he saw Windsor coughing up blood. He immediately rushed forward worriedly.
Chapter 597
Windsor ignored Henry and dashed out. Henry stood there for a few seconds, then instinctively chased after Windsor.
“Dad! Dad, what’s wrong? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?” Henry caught up to Windsor.
Windsor walked out of the courtyard and spat out another mouthful of blood. His body swayed violently as if he would collapse at any moment. He reached out and gripped Henry’s hand tightly. “Tomorrow, go find Odalys for me and tell her that the Stewart family matter has nothing to do with me! Warn her to stay cautious of the Simpson family and not to act tough when things happen, as it will only lead to her death.
“And one more thing, tell Odalys that it was my idea to abandon her back then! Tell her to stay far away from the Bennett family if she wants to survive.” Windsor gritted his teeth and grabbed Henry’s wrist with terrifying strength.
It felt like he wanted to crush Henry’s arm.
Henry was confused. The ferocity in Windsor’s gaze made his heart race with fear.
“Did you hear me? Tell Odalys all of this word for word! And I don’t want you to get too close to Edie or the Simpson family, or it won’t end well for you.
“Also, if I become different later, kill me.” Windsor bit down with such force that his lips burst open, and blood spilled freely.
Henry’s face grew even paler.
As Henry stared at Windsor, he vaguely felt that this man was his real father.
“And also, keep an eye on Sophia! Watch her closely. Don’t let her leave the Bennett family, and make sure she doesn’t sever ties with us, do you hear me?” Windsor spoke through clenched teeth.
Henry nodded quickly.
The instant he nodded, Windsor visibly relaxed. He stood there with his head lowered, not saying a word.
“Dad… Dad, are you alright?” Henry helped Windsor up and called out to him.
Seeing no response from Windsor, he quickly leaned forward and said once more, “Dad.”
Windsor’s head shot up suddenly, his eyes cold and unfamiliar. He fixed Henry with a piercing glare, prompting Henry to take half a step back in fear. Without warning, Windsor suddenly kicked Henry hard in the stomach.
“Ugh.” Henry doubled over from the blow, collapsing to the ground.
Windsor seemed like a different person.
His gaze was predatory, utterly foreign, and brimming with hostility.
“Dad?” Henry stared intensely at Windsor’s face. It was the same face, but the expression and gaze were entirely different. Now, Windsor seemed to have reverted to the state he was in when he was intimate with Sophia.
“Scram! Get out of here if you don’t want to die,” Windsor bellowed.
He walked past Windsor toward the Bennett Villa.
Sophia rushed out, curious about what was going on, but Windsor grabbed her wrist and forcefully dragged her back into the house, bypassing Hannah and heading straight for the study.
“Windsor, what are you doing? Let go of me!” Sophia’s screams echoed through the Bennett Villa.
Caspian walked out. When he saw Henry on the ground, he hurried forward to help Henry up. “Henry, what happened to Dad just now?” Caspian asked in a low voice.
“Henry shook his head, replying, “Nothing. I need to cool off outside. Don’t worry about me.”
Caspian wanted to say something else, but seeing that Henry was not in a good mood, he remained silent for a while, then turned and walked back to the Bennett Villa, looking back at Henry from time to time.
“Leaving the Bennett family is the only way to survive? So did Dad abandon Odalys because he wanted to protect her? I mustn’t allow Sophia to leave the Bennett family and I have to keep an eye on her…” Henry murmured in a low voice.
It took a moment for him to digest those words. Henry vaguely felt that something had changed.
It did not align with his earlier thoughts, even contradicting everything he had assumed.
When he turned his head, he met Odalys’s eyes not far away. Henry quickly stood up and took fast strides toward the door. After just a few steps, he suddenly turned to look upstairs.
He saw Oliver and Brandon standing on the second floor of the Bennett Villa, staring at him. Henry stopped in his tracks. He bent over, coughing a few times, then angrily kicked a nearby stone and muttered, “Can’t anyone let me live in peace? It’s the middle of the night and they’re making a racket!”
After venting, Henry glanced at Odalys deeply before returning to the Bennett Villa.
On the second floor, Oliver and Brandon stood side by side.
They watched Henry turn around and walk back to the Bennett Villa angrily. Oliver clutched his face, feeling a faint, lingering pain. Though he had used a talisman to seal the bite marks, they still caused discomfort.
Odalys destroyed the previous magic zone, leaving Oliver severely injured by the backlash. Now, with Windsor’s magic zone in ruins and strange teeth marks on his face, Oliver was utterly drained. Only seclusion could help him recover his strength and restore his powers. “Are you sure he’s back?” Oliver asked.
Brandon shook his head and replied, “I’m not sure, but the look in his eyes was definitely off. “But judging by how he coughed up blood and kicked Henry away, perhaps I’m overthinking it. How could Windsor have come back? He’s just an ordinary man. What could he possibly do to return?”
Brandon seemed to be trying to convince himself to believe that.
Even now, Sophia’s screams could still be faintly heard from the bedroom next door.
The cries sounded real, not like a pretense.
“It’s best if he isn’t back. If he is, then this body will have to be destroyed; otherwise, it will disrupt our plans,” Oliver said flatly.
“When they noticed that Henry had returned, the two of them made their way back to the room, moving away from the window.
After the two men returned to their room and drew the curtains, Odalys turned her head to look at Percival and the others. They exchanged glances, tacitly agreeing not to make a sound as they tiptoed out.
“What happened just now, Odalys? Why did Windsor suddenly vomit blood and then become like a different person?” Orson felt that Windsor was a bit schizophrenic.
In normal circumstances, nobody’s mood could change that quickly.
Earlier, Windsor was pulling Henry, looking like he was saying something, but suddenly lowered his head. When Windsor looked up again, he seemed like a completely different person.
“The Windsor just now, and the Windsor at the nightclub, is the real him. I don’t know what happened in the Bennett Villa just now that led him to be forced back.
“We have to figure out if the one in his body is his shadow or someone else’s soul,” Odalys whispered.
‘I must get to the bottom of this, she thought. Percival said, “Perhaps both! Otherwise, if he didn’t have a split personality, he would’ve been exposed a long time ago and couldn’t possibly manage to hide it until now.”
Odalys did not respond to his words.
She walked toward the car, her thoughts consumed by the image of Windsor hurrying out earlier and of Henry approaching her, only to turn back when he saw the figures on the second floor.
She was silent all the way, completely lost in her thoughts.
“Are you still feeling dizzy?” Percival asked with concern, seeing that Odalys was so quiet.
Odalys’s tolerance for alcohol was not high, and after spending so much time out in the cold tonight, she was bound to be feeling a little unwell.
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine after some sleep,” Odalys said.
Chapter 598
Odalys was indeed a little tired now.
“Let’s go back,” Percival said.
Orson made an OK gesture and drove off. By the time they returned to the Stewart Villa, it was 3: 30 in the morning.
Odalys had some wine earlier. When she returned to the Stewart Villa, she immediately went back to her room to sleep.
Odalys thought she would not be able to sleep after all that had happened, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, her eyelids drooped, and she fell asleep within moments. That night, she seemed to have a dream.
Odalys had a dream where she was lying in the snow, her body frozen and turning purple.
She screamed for help, but a pair of hands appeared and tightened around her neck, attempting to press her face into the snow. Odalys fought back desperately, her hands flailing in the air until she grabbed the person’s face.
With a “hiss,” she managed to rip it off. Staring in horror at the bloodied face in her hands, Odalys awoke, trembling with fear.
“Ah!” she screamed.
Odalys sat up and reached out to check, only to find that her hands were empty.
She looked up at the ceiling, put her pillow behind her, and leaned against the headboard, staring into space. The sunlight outside was now pouring in, its brightness almost blinding.
Odalys pulled back the blanket, set her bare feet on the carpet, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
She looked down at the courtyard of the Stewart Villa and saw Evander and Dorian rolling up their sleeves, watering the flowers in the backyard.
“Mr. Stewart, this spot hasn’t been watered yet,” Dorian said as he gestured to a spot further off. Evander tugged the hose and directed it toward the spot Dorian had indicated. However, he accidentally kicked the nearby hose, causing it to shift and spray water right at Dorian’s face. “Mr. Stewart, don’t water my face; water that corner!” Dorian hurriedly covered his face and turned to run.
Evander, trying to adjust the hose, tripped and landed on his bottom, drenching himself in the process.
“Grandpa!” Odalys called out from the window. Evander looked up to see her climbing over the balcony railing and jumping down.
Brandon stared in astonishment as Odalys jumped down. He grabbed the wildly spraying hose and pointed it toward a dry corner.
“Grandpa, are you alright?” Odalys asked, gently grabbing his arm to help him up.
Evander was soaked, his clothes covered in mud. Dorian hurried over, checking him for injuries.” Mr. Stewart, you’re soaked,” he said.
“You’re wet too,” Evander retorted gruffly.
The two elderly men looked at each other and chuckled.
“Both of you, go change your clothes. We wouldn’t want you to catch a cold,” Odalys said
concernedly.
The weather was starting to get chilly, and the elderly’s health was not the best. =^=Their bodies were not as strong as those of a younger person, making them more susceptible to illness if they caught a chill. As a young person, Odalys was not bothered by the cold.
“How about you? I heard you drank a lot last night. Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to pass you some hangover pills?” Evander asked with concern.
Odalys shook her head and continued watering the flowers on the other side.
“No need. I feel fine after throwing up last night. You guys should quickly go back and change,” Odalys said.
Upon hearing that, Evander allowed Dorian to help him back inside.
Odalys looked at the flowers in the courtyard. Even though it was already winter, the flowers at the Stewart Villa still bloomed vibrantly, their vibrant colors standing out in the morning light.
As water fell onto the petals, droplets sparkled in the sunlight, giving them a translucent, almost ethereal look.
“Mrs. Stewart, let me do the watering. Don’t get your clothes dirty.” At this time, a servant came over and was startled to see Odalys watering the plants.
The servant immediately ran over and took the water hose from Odalys’ hand.
“It’s okay, I’m having fun,” Odalys said with a chuckle.
The servant waved his hands repeatedly and said, “Mrs. Stewart, please wash your hands and go and have breakfast. Leave this to me.”
“All right.” Odalys reached out and washed her hands with the water hose.
After that, she strolled happily around the backyard, the faint sound of birdsong filling the air. She stretched lazily, enjoying the moment. “Good morning, Mrs. Stewart.”
“Morning.”
“Mrs. Stewart, have you had breakfast?”
“Not yet.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Stewart.” “Morning.”
Odalys walked back. When she met passing servants or bodyguards, they all greeted her respectfully.
As Odalys walked toward Callum’s place, she saw him from a distance, sitting in the pavilion outside, his right hand wrapped in bandages while his left hand was holding the phone. “Okay, I’ll handle it,” Callum said.
After finishing the call, Callum looked at the documents while typing on the computer with one hand. Although he could only use one hand, it did not delay his typing speed.
Odalys walked closer and was stunned when she saw what he was doing.
She had heard Percival mention that he and Callum could write with their left and right hands without any issues, but she did not think much of it at the time. Now, she was astonished to see Callum typing swiftly with only one hand.
Odalys was amazed and realized that the people who stayed by Percival’s side were extraordinary. Just like when Callum had an accident and his phone was damaged, Percival still managed to make it work again, restoring it without losing any data.
“Who is it?” Callum felt someone approaching from behind and quickly reached for the gun on the table.
“He spun around, aiming his gun at the source of the noise, only to see Odalys standing there.
Callum quickly put away the gun and stood up. He greeted Odalys respectfully and asked, “Why are you here? I was wondering who was behind me.”
“I’m here to check on your hand,” Odalys said. At the mention of that, Callum quickly extended his hand to her.
Odalys stepped forward and examined the injury. She found that it was recovering well. Although Callum could not move it yet, the medicine Orson had developed was much more effective than ordinary medicine.
“It’s recovering well,” Odalys said.
She changed his dressing and re-bandaged it. Callum looked at Odalys as she bandaged his wound. He hesitated for a moment before he said, “I don’t remember anything that happened that day, but I think I saw Edie.
“I still can’t figure it out. Edie is a bit dumb and likes to show off. Logically, I shouldn’t have been tracking her. Besides, the place where I had the incident wasn’t even in Crownridge.
“But I just can’t remember what crucial piece of information I must have picked up, which is why
I brought people and forcibly tracked her down. Is there any way you could use hypnosis to help me unlock those memories?”
Chapter 599
Odalys did not say anything. She merely stared at the ground quietly.
“Odalys…” Callum called her softly.
Odalys looked up. She stared into his eyes for a long time before she said, “Do you know the implications of using hypnosis to forcibly unlock your memories? It could damage your brain and deplete your body. Not everyone can unlock their memories at will.
“There are times when not remembering certain things is actually a survival instinct. Forgetting might be for the better, and you don’t need to force yourself to figure out why. Everything happens for a reason; otherwise, you will only end up dead.
“Percival may not have told you this, but if we hadn’t arrived that night, you and those discreet guards would’ve all been sacrificed. You were all hidden in a water tank, and you guys were only a little bit away from suffocating and rotting inside.”
“You must understand what it means to be sacrificed, right? Being offered as a sacrifice while you’re still alive.” Odalys stared at him solemnly.
Callum was stunned. He did not know anything about these things.
His lips parted slightly. The yearning in his eyes faded instantly.
Odalys said, “If you remember, it may lead to death. Maybe you are not afraid of death, but if the memories that you have lost return and you become a tool for others to kill Percival, will you still be willing to remember?
“They want to sacrifice you because you and Percival grew up together. You are so familiar with each other, and you know everything about him. Once they control you, Percival will surely die.
“Even if you want to kill him, he might not be able to bring himself to kill you. This is the cross he must bear.
“Some things take time, Callum. Percival is determined to protect you. I know you want to regain your memories and help him, but don’t let impatience make you fall into a scheme- otherwise, you might be the one who ends up hurting him.”
Callum’s face instantly turned pale and he instantly stood up.
Even though he was injured, he forced himself to stand and bowed slightly toward Odalys. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know any of this. Mr. Stewart never mentioned it to me.
“I was too hasty, but don’t worry, I won’t let anyone manipulate me. Since I can’t remember, I’ Il forget it and never speak of it again,” Callum said in a panic.”
He did not expect things to be so serious.
“Have you been looking for a hypnotist so that he can help you remember through hypnosis? But let me advise you, the moment you look for a hypnotist, you have already fallen into someone else’s scheme.
“Maybe that hypnotist was sent by the other party, and they can forcibly change some of your memories during hypnosis, such as forcibly instilling something in you.
“It may cause you to doubt your life and even think that Percival is using you, or that he saved you for other purposes.
“Brainwashing is something you’re all too familiar with, isn’t it? There’s no shortage of such tactics among the wealthy and powerful, just like how Sophia was willing to kill Blossom to get her hands on the Tillery family’s resources. “Don’t let yourself become Percival’s weakness. If you fall into someone else’s trap and make a move on him, I’ll kill you immediately,” Odalys said before slowly getting up.
Callum listened with a lingering fear.
He was not afraid of being killed by Odalys, but about how his haste had nearly led to a catastrophe.
After hearing Odalys’s words, Callum realized that he had been so eager to find a hypnotist to retrieve his memories, but he never thought about whether they were reliable.
After all, everyone had selfish motives and weaknesses. Once selfish desires arise, they could be exploited.
“Thank you for your reminder. Otherwise, I might have really fallen into someone else’s trap.” Callum endured the pain coursing through him and hurried to catch up with Odalys.
Odalys did not say anything more.
She knew that Callum would not betray them, but she had to make some things clear to him so that he would be on guard at all times and avoid any accidents.
“Rest well.” Percival’s voice rang out.
It was only now that Callum noticed that Percival had also come over at some point. “Stop looking for a hypnotist and don’t bother with this anymore. In fact, it may not even be that important. It’s most important to live in the present and focus on what’s at hand,” Percival continued.
Callum nodded quickly.
His face was pale, and he had lost some of his previous weight after the injury.
“Get some more sun.” After saying that, Percival followed Odalys out.
Callum stood where he was, watching them walk away side by side, feeling touched.
“It seems that Mr. Stewart has really married the right woman this time. Odalys is an impressive woman. Fortunately, she is not overly kind-hearted; otherwise, she would hold him back,” Callum murmured to himself.
What Odalys had just said hit him like a bolt from the blue and left a deep impression on him.
Callum knew Odalys was right and it indirectly reminded him of something.
“Callum, come here.” Just then, Evander came over with some food after having changed his clothes. He called for the servants to set a table under the tree.
After that, Evander placed the food on the table. “Mr. Stewart.” Callum stepped forward, enduring the pain coursing through him.
Evander took out a chessboard and gestured to the opposite side, saying, “Since you are hurt, you should rest well. It just so happens that I can’t go out recently either. Let’s keep each other company. You can play chess with me.”
“Okay,” Callum said delightedly.
Evander picked up a black chess piece, made the first move, and said while drinking coffee,” Odalys is a straightforward person. Don’t take what she said to heart. She means well.”
Callum understood the underlying meaning of his words.
“You’re overthinking, Mr. Stewart. I didn’t take her words to heart. The more I see Odalys, the more I think she matches Mr. Stewart. They are becoming more and more alike. Both of them are intelligent and quick-witted,” Callum said.
Evander smiled at him. The two sat there quietly playing chess.
Odalys walked toward the Stewart Villa while Percival followed behind quietly.
“Are you mad that I was too blunt just now?” Odalys broke the silence first.
Percival chuckled softly.
“You only want what’s best for him, and sometimes, the harsh truth is what he needs to hear. Pointing out the dangers might get him to prioritize his recovery.
“You must have seen that he was already working hard early in the morning, and you were worried that he was overworking himself and would affect his recovery, so you deliberately said these things to him.” Percival smiled softly.
Odalys meant well, and it was not just Percival; even Callum could see it.
“But I wasn’t exaggerating,” Odalys added. “Not every hypnotist has good motives. If someone messes with Callum’s mind, it could destroy his confidence and ruin him.”
In this world, everything was about profit. With enough money, one could even make the impossible happen.
“Yeah,” Percival responded dotingly.
Chapter 600
When he caught sight of Odalys’s wet sleeves, Percival frowned and asked, “Why are your clothes wet?”
After hearing his words, Odalys finally noticed that her sleeves and pant legs were soaked halfway through. The chilly morning breeze made her feel a little cold.
“I saw Grandpa watering the flowers in the yard when I woke up, and I couldn’t help but join in the fun,” Odalys said, twisting the corner of her shirt.
The two walked side by side, basking in the morning sun.
At that moment, a bodyguard walked in quickly. Seeing the two of them, the bodyguard quickly sped up his pace and approached them.
“Mrs. Stewart, someone from the Bennett family is here to see you. He says he has something important to tell you.” The bodyguard stood there respectfully and said to Odalys.
Percival frowned, looking a little puzzled.
“What is someone from the Bennett family here for?” Percival’s voice was laced with disgust for the Bennett family.
These people let themselves be led by the nose, completely lacking any independent thought and even went so far as to toil for others’ benefit. Percival had no desire to associate with such foolish individuals.
“It may have something to do with Windsor. I’ll go see him,” Odalys said.
She seemed to have guessed who the visitor was.
Without changing her clothes, she casually shook her sleeves and followed the bodyguard out.
Sure enough, Odalys saw a familiar vehicle parked outside from afar. Henry was standing there, looking haggard, smoking cigarette after cigarette, his whole demeanor weighed down by troubles, as if he could barely breathe under the pressure.
Hearing footsteps, Henry looked up.
He saw Odalys in casual clothes, following behind the bodyguard. The bodyguard’s respectful attitude toward her revealed her status in the Stewart family.
“Odalys.” Henry stepped forward when he saw her.
He hurriedly threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it with his leather shoe, grinding it repeatedly.
The cigarette butt was flattened beneath his foot, exuding a rich smell of smoke.
“Henry stubbed out the cigarette under his foot, releasing a thick, lingering smell of smoke. =^= Blowing out a puff of smoke with a slight cough, he pulled out a piece of gum, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed it a few times to mask the smell before walking toward Odalys.
“What can I do for you?” Odalys’s attitude remained cold.
She did not want to have any contact with the Bennett family.
There was a saying that being near misfortune could rub off on one, and the Bennett family was nothing but bad luck. Odalys wanted no part of their bad luck.
Henry looked at Odalys with a bitter expression, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes. There was a new mix of discomfort and self-deprecation in his gaze that she had not seen before.
“Since you were at the Bennett Villa last night, you must have seen what happened. Dad was like two different people last night,” Henry said. Odalys merely listened as Henry talked. She remained completely unmoved, simply casting him a calm glance without commenting. She did not want to intervene in the Bennett family’s matters.
“After Dad quarreled with Mom last night, Brandon suddenly appeared and stared at Dad for a long time. He suddenly said, ‘You have come back?” Henry said.
Feeling that it was a bit troublesome for him to explain, Henry quickly took out his phone and clicked on the surveillance video he had gotten in the morning. He handed the phone to Odalys, and said, “See for yourself.”
Odalys watched the video. She saw that Windsor was standing there when he was approached by Brandon who suddenly reached out and patted him on the shoulder.
Windsor’s expression changed; his eyes filled with restrained pain, as if he was restraining something, and then he suddenly dashed forward and dragged Henry out. The video ended there.
Henry said, “This man patted Dad’s shoulder. I don’t know if this was what caused Dad to be in that state.
“Tomorrow, go find Odalys for me and tell her that the Stewart family matter has nothing to do with me! Warn her to stay cautious of the Simpson family and not to act tough when things happen, as it will only lead to her death.
“And one more thing, tell Odalys that it was my idea to abandon her back then! Tell her to stay far away from the Bennett family if she wants to survive.
“Did you hear me? Tell Odalys all of this word for word! And I don’t want you to get too close to Edie or the Simpson family, or it won’t end well for you. Also, if I become different later, kill me.”
After Henry finished speaking, it was as if he had completed a huge task.
“Those were Dad’s exact words. I don’t know what he was trying to tell you, but it’s like he knew he was going to change, and then he went crazy. He was like a completely different person.
“Last night, he even deliberately pulled Sophia into the study and did something outrageous. Mom was so angry that she coughed up blood and fainted last night,” Henry said with a bitter smile.
The Bennett family had fallen apart.
Odalys remained silent, an imperceptible look flashing across her eyes.
“Stay far away from the Bennett family if she wants to survive.” Those words echoed in her ears.
Although Henry said so, it did not mean she would believe him. She had suffered so much over the years and had never received any kindness from the Bennett family. Odalys was not a saint who could suddenly start treating the Bennett family well.
Her kinship with the Bennett family had been severed more than a decade ago when they abandoned her in the snow.
“You may leave. In the future, don’t look for me if there’s nothing important.” Odalys’s attitude remained cold.
Henry was dumbfounded. He thought Odalys would be moved by his words, and she might even tear up, much like Sophia, who always wept whenever things got tough.
Odalys not only did not show any of these emotions, but her attitude became even colder.
“Y-you.” Henry wanted to speak, but Odalys stopped him.
“I’ve heard you out, and that’s enough. If you think passing a message deserves a fee, fine- name your price. As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll pay.
“But if you’re trying to use this to get me to help you, I’m sorry. That’s not possible. We’ve never been on the same side.
“From the moment you chose to marry Edie, from the moment you chose to pamper Sophia and deliberately suppress and hurt me, you were no longer my brother.”
Odalys’s attitude was cold.
Henry fell silent. This time he did not say anything more. Looking at the resolute look in Odalys’s eyes, he suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.
From a young age, Henry had always held a sense of entitlement. Challenges were foreign to him. Even inheriting the Bennett Group felt like a natural right. His parents’ resources and connections ensured that everything in his life went smoothly.
But Henry felt that from the moment Odalys broke away from the Bennett family, his life seemed to go downhill.
He took the wrong path, married the wrong woman, and even seemed to have taken the wrong side.
Each decision was fatal. He regretted it, but he had no choice, and he could not choose anymore.
“Do you really hate us so much? Will you stay indifferent even if the Bennett family is ruined?” Henry finally could not hold back and shouted at Odalys’s back.
Odalys stopped but did not turn around.
She said, “This is the result of your own doing! The moment you chose to hurt and betray me, you stopped being a part of my life.”
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