Chapter 661
They turned their heads in disbelief and looked at Hannah, and a hint of incredulity flashed in their eyes.
Even strangers would choose to call the police or stand up to intervene when they see someone being killed. Hannah, as the biological mother, did not call the police and even sent the other party abroad.
After returning from studying abroad, the teenager would have grown up, and his appearance would have changed. Even if his habits were different from Caspian’s, no one would know that he was a
different person.
“It wasn’t me, I don’t know anything. I don’t remember this ever happening. I must have been brainwashed.” Hannah was startled and fell. She landed right on the corpse.
Terrified, she scrambled to her feet and rolled aside, staring at the body on the ground.
“Odalys must be lying! I didn’t do anything, and I didn’t see anything!” Hannah’s voice trembled, her eyes flickering as she avoided everyone’s gaze. The police looked at Caspian. Initially, they felt some sympathy for him when they saw his broken leg. Now it seemed that Percival breaking his leg and Odalys burying him alive in the mud were merely revenge for Caspian’s past deeds.
Caspian deserved it.
“Fake, it’s all fake, I never broke someone’ s leg, and never buried them alive or killed them. It wasn’t me, it definitely wasn’t me!” Caspian yelled.
“I’m the second master of the Bennett family. I was born into wealth and privilege. The person in the footage isn’t me, I have no recollection of this.” Caspian kept defending himself.
He felt the need to explain and for people to believe him. However, the police officers merely gazed at him with a mixture of disdain and mockery.
“Mom, mom, say something,” Caspian urged.
Caspian saw Hannah frozen in shock and quickly turned his gaze to Henry. When he saw both Henry and Atlas
glaring at him, Caspian knew he was in trouble.
“No wonder you suddenly went abroad to study,” Atlas started.
“After you came back, Henry even commented on how much your personality had changed. I even defended you, saying that you must have been led astray by someone abroad. I can’t believe you’re a fake. You killed my brother.” Atlas’s eyes were red with fury.
He lunged forward and kicked Caspian twice.
Caspian’s leg was already broken, and he had been gasping for breath under the pressure of the ring. Now, kicked by Atlas, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
“He coughed up the blood himself. It has nothing to do with me.” Atlas was
startled as he waved his hands hastily, trying to clear his name.
Brandon sat quietly by the side; he looked at Caspian, then at Hannah, and then used a talisman, trying to quietly swap their souls. This way, even if Caspian was caught or died, Brandon would still be able to save Caspian.
With this in mind, Brandon immediately took action. Unfortunately, Percival had predicted this.
“Are you still not giving up?” Percival suddenly said.
Everyone’s eyes fell on Brandon, who had been silent.
However, the talisman had already taken effect. Ignoring everyone, Brandon kept chanting the incantation but found that the talisman didn’t respond. Brandon refused to concede and continued to chant. Yet, the talisman did not respond at all.
“Ah!” Caspian suddenly screamed.
He felt something magnifying, constantly wrapped around his neck, as if trying to break his neck.
“If you try to force his soul out again, he will die,” Odalys said with a sneer.
Brandon stopped immediately. Odalys, with her arms crossed, watched on with a look of amusement.
“I just wanted to see who the shadow attached to Windsor belonged to. Now it’ s obvious that it must be one of your lingering ancestors. Since it’s him, I’m relieved,” Odalys said.
Odalys had guessed it the moment the ring left her hand.
The ring belonged to that young general. It would not leave until it had found its enemy. And just now, it had reacted violently, forcibly breaking free from her hand and flying out, hitting Caspian. At that moment, Odalys understood.
She was just curious as to who could have put the soul into Windsor’s body. It seemed that Brandon was not capable of such a feat.
“Nonsense, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Brandon was so angry. He felt that meeting Odalys was the beginning of his misfortune.
From the time she entered the village to record the variety show, she had been watching him. At first, she only treated him and prescribed medicine for his son, which was indeed effective.
At that time, he just thought that Odalys was kind, but he was also on guard against her. But later he discovered that she was quite capable, so he went along with her.
Now, it all seems like a conspiracy.
“Odalys, have you been after me ever since you entered the village to record the variety show? Treating my illness and keeping my son alive. Was it all a setup for this moment?” Brandon suddenly asked.
Odalys laughed when she heard his question.
“What else? We didn’t know each other. Why would I help you? I knew you were definitely not a good person once I saw your house. But what made me curious about you was that you were indeed injured.”
“You were guarding that village. You were such a powerful figure, yet that giant python was forced to stay there. I speculated that you must have a problem. Letting the Stewart family bring you back was just to give the giant python a breather,” Odalys said.
Brandon glared at her hatefully.
“Caspian is your grandson, right? Before you said all your blood relatives were dead, I thought it was strange. If you really had no descendants, why would you still be risking your life like this?” Odalys started.
Odalys continued, “It wasn’t until you entered the Bennett Villa that I realized the Bennett family had something you wanted. I didn’t expect that the thing you wanted to protect was Caspian. He’s your grandson, isn’t he?”
Brandon’s lips moved, his heart filled with anger.
“No, I don’t know him.” Brandon was still denying it. However, it did not matter whether he admitted it or not.
“Bang!” At this moment, a ring flew towards Brandon and hit him on the forehead. Blood started to ooze out of the injury on his forehead.
His blood dripped on the ring, staining it red.
After a long time, Odalys stepped forward, picked up the ring, wiped off the blood, and said, “Don’t let his blood stain you.”
Her words instantly calmed the originally irritable ring.
At this moment, Caspian’s clothes disintegrated. His body was covered with bruises from the ring, and the bruises were strategically located.
No wonder Caspian was in so much pain. The ring had specifically aimed at all the most painful places.
“In that case, come with us,” the police suddenly stepped forward and said.
Caspian struggled when he saw the police approaching. Unfortunately, he could not get up and run away because his leg was broken, so he could only be dragged away by the police.
Chapter 662
Caspian was unwilling to accept this. He had thought the Bennett Group could still be saved and that if Henry was ruined, he would have a chance to take over.
But now that he was caught, he would have no chance at all.
Caspian did not want to accept that. “Odalys, haven’t you always been protecting me? You saved me from that car accident last time, and you protected me before. Why do you want to destroy me this time?” Caspian asked.
“Have you forgotten that I’m the only one who hasn’t bullied you much in the entire Bennett family?” Caspian roared with heartache.
Odalys was amused by his words, and she laughed heartily.
“You mean you were being nice to me by secretly stirring up trouble and almost getting Sophia to send me onto
someone else’s bed? Yes, you never did anything to me directly. But you were always stirring up trouble secretly and using Sophia to harm me,” Odalys said firmly.
“I saved you from that car accident only because you lent me warmth in my past life, so we’re even. However, I can’t save you from all the evils you have committed,” Odalys said.
Caspian fell silent. He couldn’t figure out what Odalys was trying to do.
Brandon looked at Odalys in a daze, but he also could not figure out what Odalys was doing.
“Are you avenging the owner of that ring?” Brandon suddenly asked.
Odalys didn’t answer. It was unknown what she meant, or whether she acquiesced. Odalys remained silent.
Brandon and Caspian were both taken away by the police, along with the body. Although Hannah saw the scene and did not call the police, she did not break the law. Hannah had made a choice.
After the police left, Hannah remained paralyzed on the ground.
“Impossible, it can’t be. Odalys must have framed me. It must be that Odalys could not stand to see me well,” Hannah kept muttering to herself.
She hated Odalys for ruining her perfect life.
“Mom, is all this true?” Henry stepped forward and asked.
Hannah did not say anything but instead fainted from being overwhelmed with emotions.
Henry and Atlas stood there but did not rush forward to help their mother up. Instead, they looked at her with complicated expressions, as if trying to figure something out from her face.
“Odalys,” Henry turned and called out to Odalys.
Odalys refused to look at him. Instead, she turned to Percival and said, “Let’s go.”
“Okay,” Percival responded.
The two walked outside side by side. Some police officers remained at the Bennett Villa to collect evidence. After all, it was rare for the Bennett family to be this lively.
When Sophia and Edie rushed back from the hospital, they were shocked to find that both Brandon and Caspian had been arrested.
“Are you saying that old thing was arrested?” Edie asked in disbelief.
“That’s right, he was arrested! He and Caspian killed my brother! Shouldn’t he be arrested?” Atlas said angrily.
Although he spoke with such anger, Edie’s face looked worse than if she had eaten poison.
“Arrested? How could this happen?” Edie murmured.
Her face instantly lost its color, and she swayed so much that she almost fell to the ground.
‘Brandon and I had just reached a consensus for him to help me. Why was he suddenly arrested?’ Edie wondered.
‘Could it be that Odalys had discovered my plan and taken action to stop it? Did Odalys ruin my plan before it even began?’ Edie thought angrily.
Edie was so angry that she gritted her teeth. Her original plan was to win over Sophia, and together with Brandon, take control of the Bennet family. She would then use the Bennett Villa as a center to establish her base.
The plan was over before it even began.
“Damn Odalys, is she crazy? Why is she after me? Could this be a mere coincidence? Did she set Caspian up because they did not get along, or was she really after me?” Edie panicked a little as she asked.
Edie had never taken Odalys seriously, thinking she was just a joke, boasting about her strength when she had nothing to back it up.
But now that Edie thought about it carefully, everything Odalys did seemed to be directed at her. Edie wondered if she was simply overthinking.
“How much does Odalys want to destroy the Bennett family?” Sophia also gritted her teeth and cursed.
Sophia could not figure out what Odalys was after and why she liked to ruin the Bennett family’s reputation. Sophia wondered if it was because she was better than Odalys and that Odalys was jealous.
On the other hand, Odalys was unaware of their frantic outburst.
After she got in the car, Percival drove away from the Bennett Villa and onto the main road.
“I didn’t expect Caspian to be a fraud,” Percival said thoughtfully. This conclusion surprised him.
Odalys stared at the ring as she wiped it silently.
She then put it back in the bag and said, ” This ring proves it. The shadow on Caspian is Brandon’s ancestor and the major general had a grudge against Brandon’s ancestor. Brandon’s ancestor was also the one who wanted to replace Francis back then,” Odalys deduced.
Odalys continued, “This means that their family started planning this a long time ago. Could it be that they wish to live forever? The souls of all those dead ancestors have been preserved and they’ve been experimenting frantically, wanting to replace others.”
“If that’s the case, then Windsor going abroad three years ago might be a test. The experiment on Windsor was
successful, so now they want to go even crazier. Francis was their second candidate, but they did not expect it to be unsuccessful.” Odalys continued to analyze.
“All of Brandon’s ancestors made clothes for the rich. What is their relationship with the Stewart family? Are they a branch of the Stewart family? Or are they related?” Odalys whispered.
Percival held the steering wheel and drove smoothly as Odalys spoke.
“No matter what the relationship is, they must have reached some kind of agreement. We’ll just have to see if Edie is panicking now that Caspian’s legs are broken and Brandon has been arrested,” Percival started.
“Let Edie be frustrated. Leave her with no chance to help the Stewart family. Let’s see if the Stewart family can still remain calm,” Percival said.
Odalys’s ears perked up at Percival’s words.
“Aren’t you surprised by what just happened?” Odalys blinked and asked.
Percival looked at her mischievous appearance and smiled silently as he said, “I’m your man, Odalys. You wouldn’t like me if I got surprised by everything, right?”
“You need to learn to be stable and calm to achieve great things,” Percival said jokingly.
His words made Odalys laugh. “Haha! I didn’t expect you to be so thick-skinned.”
At Odalys’s reaction, Percival merely smiled and stayed silent. He looked at her smiling face lovingly.
“Why do you get so agitated about Caspian and Brandon?” Percival redirected attention to the main point.
Chapter 663
“Odalys leaned back and stared out the passenger window. “I wanted Hannah and Edie at each other’s throats. Edie’s been trying to cozy up to Brandon, and Hannah sabotaged her. Those two will be at each other’s throats again now. “That way, they’ll be too distracted to watch your grandfather. It’s better if he avoids becoming a target at his age. I decided to save the topic of forbidden scents for later as a last resort.”
“Odalys continued, “Thoeyae’s forbidden scents are unlike any other. It’s said to be so potent that it can captivate the soul. Edie and Hannah are after your grandfather because he’s vulnerable right now.
“I want to help your grandfather overcome this romantic crisis. If he doesn’t, I fear it will be too much for him.
“When I left this morning, I noticed your grandfather’s darkened forehead. He seems well and energetic, but a growing black mist surrounds him. Someone nearing the end of their life.
“I asked Callum to keep him company and play chess with him whenever he’s free,” Odalys explained. Mentioning this made her feel a bit sad.
“Evander treated her like a family, always wanting to give her the best of everything. Odalys witnessed his generosity and knew his kindness was genuine.
“Odalys’s words took Percival aback.” Odalys,” he said, staring at Odalys, astonished. It was all news to him.
“While Callum recuperated from his injury, visits with his grandpa for chess and conversation were commonplace. Percival initially thought little of these visits, but Callum’s frequent presence piqued his interest.
“Percival’s voice grew hoarse as he spoke, the thought of his grandfather painful. “So, despite your injury, you broke the rules last night and let Grandpa
NO
Chapter 663 Afraid Of Not Surviving This
and me see my father because you feared he might not have much time left?”
“Yes, his romantic crisis is incredibly intense and threatens his well-being. Being older, he’s unable to cope with this kind of turmoil. Sometimes, a romantic crisis isn’t just about love; it can also stem from other issues.
“It’s about a woman. I thought Hannah’s actions were strange, but Edie’s outright hostility is much more alarming,” Odalys said. Some crises are unavoidable. “Alright.” Percival swallowed as he gripped the steering wheel, his heart aching at the thought of his grandfather in danger – a crisis he felt was unavoidable like it was destined by fate.
“With Caspian and Brandon gone, Edie will likely blame Hannah, causing friction between them. They’ll be too
preoccupied to deal with your grandfather.
“Odalys suggested, “Maybe having Callum stay with him and keep women away will help him avoid it.” But deep down, she knew the crisis was unavoidable.
Sometimes, it was believed that being at home meant safety, but that was not the case. Whether death would occur was uncertain, but the destined crisis had inevitably come to pass.
“Whoosh!” Something suddenly slapped against the car window, causing Odalys to freeze. She immediately rolled down the window and saw something dart inside. Its tail whipped against Percival’s arm, bouncing back into Odalys’s arms.
“You’re back?” Odalys said, looking down at the little one who leaped into her arms. The snake, which Norah Hersey had been feeding well, seemed to have put on some weight.
“Odalys coaxed the little snake as it slithered back to her, pouting and turning its head away. “Are you angry? I didn’t mean to leave you with someone else. I just thought you were capable of protecting her. Now that you’re back, I have good news.”
“Despite its fearsome appearance, the snake remained docile in front of Odalys. “I sent Brandon to the police station!” she exclaimed, lightly tapping the snake’s head with her finger.
“The snake extended its tongue and turned its head towards her as if to determine the truth in her words. “Once I break the taboo of that village,” Odalys promised, “the giant python will be free to seek you out.”
“It occurred to Percival, and he asked, ” Didn’t someone use the village’s energy field to refine a blood poison remedy?” “Yes, the final ingredient has to be the giant python’s blood or venomroot. The blood of a venomous snake is highly poisonous,” Odalys said.
“That’s why they won’t let the giant python go. It sent this little one to me because it wants to leave its offspring behind but feels trapped.
“This time, the village was left unguarded after they brought Brandon back. Since that place constantly experiences thunderstorms, the charm will quickly lose its potency without someone maintaining it,” Odalys continued.
“After the thunder breaks the charm, it will escape. I’m just afraid that it…”
Odalys trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished. The little snake, confused, blinked at her with an almost knowing look.
“Odalys said, worried, “I’m just afraid that if it gets infected, there will be no way to save it.”
Snakes that had lived for hundreds of years were extremely rare. Legend was that these snakes possessed mystical powers, including communicating with spirits.
“Giant pythons were once valuable, especially for their gallbladders, which some believed had medicinal properties. However, habitat loss due to development has made them rare.
“We were initially puzzled about the source of the poison in your body, didn’t we? However, we later discovered that the village was involved in poison refining. It seems the poison used on you was likely a semi-finished product.”
“Odalys continued, worried, “If the poison works, I fear there will be more victims. It might not be just these wealthy families who develop cancer. An entire city, or even a province or country, could be at risk.” The poison silently spread through the body, slowly leading to festering and death.
“Are you warning people about Finnian’s death?” Percival finally reacted, remembering blood poison only when she mentioned it. It had been so long that he’d nearly forgotten his poisoning. “He did worsen and die tragically, yes. I asked Orson to bring him here so he could be with Sophia. I also wanted everyone to see Finnian die. Perhaps they’re all still in shock.
“Eventually, people will react. When news of this spreads, those responsible for blood poisoning will likely question why Finnian died in such a way.”
Chapter 664
“Odalys said, “People who haven’t been poisoned but die as if they had might wonder if they were poisoned.” “Percival listened intently, realizing she was playing a dangerous game. “You’re setting a trap,” he finally said, “luring them in so you can capture them all at once.”
“Odalys’s eyes sparkled as she nodded slightly. “Yes,” she agreed, “dealing with them individually would be exhausting, and I simply don’t have the energy. It’s more efficient to push them to their breaking point and let them come undone.”
“Caspian and Brandon have been arrested. News of this will likely spread soon. I don’t think Brandon has been fighting alone all these years. I believe he’s been protecting that village from the threat of blood poison.”
“Since arriving in Crownridge, he hasn’t met with anyone outside the Bennett family. He’s settled in and is so patient, just like the Simpson family.
“They’re all so patient. It’s almost like this whole situation doesn’t concern them. If the heads of these families weren’t so deathly ill with incurable diseases, I might believe their act,” Odalys said coldly, clearly thinking about the competition.
“Should I keep a low profile? There were rumors of my demise, but I’ve been seen out and about lately, proving them wrong. Do you think my reappearance will interfere with your plans?
“Perhaps they assumed the poison was taking effect, but now that it seems to have subsided, they might suspect your involvement.” Percival mused.
“Odalys fell silent, then added, “Isn’t this a good thing? Seeing you in good health will make them question everything-the potency of their poison, the loyalty of their people.
“The wealthy families are missing after secret medical treatments, and Oliver can’t find them because their news is blocked. Wouldn’t this worry the poisoner? He’s unaware of the matter’s progress, and there’s been no further activity from your poison.
“Now, with this incident at the Bennett family-Finnian dying in Sophia’s arms at their villa-wouldn’t those behind all this try to blame her?” Odalys said, a smile spreading across her face with indescribable joy.
“You’re trying to scapegoat Sophia and force her to show her true self. Do you believe she’s been holding back this whole time?” Percival chuckled softly, thinking she was far more clever than the others.
“She targeted me, wanted me dead. I’m no saint. I believe in revenge. She hurt me and took everything from me. Now she wants to walk all over me? Not a chance!” Odalys declared arrogantly. “Percival seemed to mirror her arrogance, his mood lifting along with hers. “What do you want for dinner?” Odalys asked, pulling out her phone and opening an app to browse their options.
“The sheer variety of tempting choices made her mouth water, especially since spicy food was her weakness. Her grandfather’s occasional specialty dishes couldn’t have prepared her for this. “I’m not picky. I’ll eat anything,” Percival said, glancing at his wristwatch. It was already past six, and outside, the sky had deepened into night, the city lights beginning to twinkle.
“As work ended, the roads filled with cars and people rushing to gatherings or hurrying home to cook. The city seemed to burst with life.
“Odalys decided to check the food rankings, though eating out was a rare treat. Her time with the Bennett family had been so busy she hadn’t had the opportunity to explore anything delicious.
“She was overwhelmed by the delicious options in Freya’s food rankings and wanted to try everything. Even the little snake she was holding seemed curious, poking its head out to peek at her phone screen as if it could understand the foodie’s excitement.
“Want to eat?” Odalys asked, nudging its head. The snake tried to wriggle away into her arms, but Percival reached over, gently picked it up, and placed it on the steering wheel.
“Stay here and don’t move,” Percival said, his voice tinged with jealousy. The snake froze on the steering wheel but still turned its head plaintively towards Odalys.
“Avoid looking at her or attempting to embrace her,” Percival cautioned further. “The little snake turned its head and stared pitifully at Percival, looking as though it might cry. Percival’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Snakes generally aren’t considered pitiful creatures, but now, they seem to be putting on an act of helplessness, like a two-faced angel.
“Percival reached out and flicked its head.
“Don’t look at me,” he said.
“Odalys laughed, amused by Percival’s jealous outburst directed at the insignificant snake.
“Hearing her laughter, the little snake coiled even more pitifully on the steering wheel. Any attempt to move was met with a sharp slap from Percival, forcing it back into its original position, its tiny head pointed forward.
“Are you jealous of a snake?” Odalys asked with a smile, amused by Percival’s domineering expression. Unlike those who dislike such traits in men, she found his controlling nature appealing.
“I’m not,” Percival said seriously. “It’s just not right. A snake slithering into your arms-what’s the point? What if it bites? They’re venomous.”
“He knew the snake wouldn’t dare to bite Odalys, but he still wasn’t comfortable with it slithering all over her. He wouldn’t allow any creature to take advantage of her.
“Well, you ask it; see if it dares to,” Odalys said with a smile.
“Hearing her laughter, the little snake saw Percival staring coldly at it and silently crawled away. Percival quickly grabbed it.
“Stay put,” Percival commanded. He thought, ‘She will be safer if it stays within sight. Who knows if it’ll try to escape or hide in her bag? That wouldn’t be good.”
Chapter 665
“The little snake gazed up at Percival with sad eyes, dipping its head low before settling onto the steering wheel. It tried to slither away, only to be snatched up and held down by Percival.
“Odalys burst into laughter. “Percival, you’ re abusing that snake!” she exclaimed, unable to contain herself any longer.
“Odalys smiled, leaning back in the passenger seat to enjoy the night view. Seeing the snake earlier hadn’t fazed her; she sensed a strange harmony between it and Percival. A wave of unaccountable happiness washed over her.
“Odalys’s phone vibrated. It was Selah.” Odalys, I saw the news about Caspian’s arrest,” Selah said before Odalys could even speak.
“Selah exclaimed excitedly, “Even Brandon from the courtyard where we filmed the variety show in the village was taken!” She had just returned from filming and was shocked by the news when she checked her phone.
“I know,” Odalys said. They were arrested, and she orchestrated the whole thing but never admitted it out loud.
“I read online that Caspian might have broken his legs,” Selah remarked, devoid of sympathy. Not that he doesn’t deserve it, after what he did to Odalys and the rest of the Bennett family.
“Odalys hesitated momentarily, her voice filled with excitement. Finally, she answered, “Percival and I did it.” Her words were met with silence on the other end of the line.
“Selah thought she’d misheard. Staring wide-eyed at her reflection, she took a moment to process the news. “What?” she finally asked. “You and Percival? And Caspian bullied you into it? But I thought he was supposed to be the easiest Bennett to deal with.”
“As Freya returned from outside, she approached, her hair falling loose from its tie, and said, “Odalys.”
“Did you finish filming as well?” Odalys asked.
“Despite having just fallen during a fight scene, Freya perked up when she heard Odalys’s voice. “Yeah, I heard your conversation,” she said, her pain momentarily forgotten. “Who’d you knock down?” she asked.
“Selah immediately showed Freya the news on her phone. Freya stared at the screen in disbelief, rereading the news to ensure she understood correctly.
“Caspian,” Odalys uttered the name.
“Freya practically choked on her coffee.” Whoa, more fighting? I’m in! Count me in!” she exclaimed, leaping and making a beeline for the door. Seeing her impulsive behavior, Selah quickly pulled her back.
“After a quick chat with Odalys, Freya suddenly remembered something and said, “Odalys, please go ahead. We can catch up later. Bye!”
“Selah looked at the disconnected call, anxious. “Why hang up? We weren’t finished talking!” Selah said, on the verge of tearing up.
“Freya reached out and pinched her chin, tilting her face up. “She’s on a date with Percival right now,” she said clearly.
“Didn’t you hear someone coughing when you answered the phone? We need to be careful. He might kill me if he gets jealous because we’re interrupting his date.” Freya added, a little frightened. She discovered it when she invited Odalys to dinner.
“A date? Why didn’t you say so? You scared me!” Selah retreated to her chair, curling up her legs, and stared at the news. “Why don’t you go check what’s happening?” she asked.
“Check on what?” Francis and Stellan returned, exhausted from a long day of filming a fight scene. Hearing them chatting, they paused, their curiosity piqued.
“Caspian and Brandon from the village were arrested this afternoon. Caspian’s leg is broken, and I heard that a body was found buried on Bennett’s family property. It appears to be the body of a small child. I wonder who it belongs to.”
“Selah smiled at him. “Stellan, I heard the police expedited the identification process today. Do you know anyone we could ask about the situation?”
“Upon hearing this, Stellan snatched the phone and quickly scanned the news. The high-definition, uncensored photos clearly showed the faces of Caspian, Brandon, and the corpse.
“Stellan said, “Hold on, I’ll ask about it.”
“With their own business, the affluent Drake family naturally had a vast network of contacts. A mere ten minutes after making the call, he received the updates. At that time, they had just finished changing and removing their makeup.
“Rumors swirl that the body found belongs to the actual second Bennett heir. They accuse Caspian and Brandon of conspiring to cripple and bury him alive years ago while the rest of the Bennett family was away.
“After his death, his body was placed in Hannah’s room, where it remained undiscovered until police received a tip.
Otherwise, its presence would have gone unnoticed. This issue has caused quite a commotion,” Stellan said succinctly.
“Freya lowered her coffee cup and stared at Stellan, convinced she’d misheard. ” You’re saying Caspian is an imposter? That’s absurd! People can’t be identical. And they’re family-surely they’d recognize him?” The whole situation struck Freya as utterly unbelievable.
“Stellan continued, “Caspian was sent abroad to study soon after the incident, and Hannah made all the arrangements.”
“Francis, however, remained silent, staring intently at the information Stellan had shared.
“Francis highlighted the crucial point: ” Caspian was crippled and killed the same year Odalys was abandoned. Don’t you find that coincidental?”
“After careful consideration, they realized it was indeed the same year.
“Odalys was abandoned, then Caspian was murdered, and the imposter took his place. Despite this, Hannah still
him abroad. Isn’t that suspicious? The body was found in her room. She is terrifying, indeed,” Francis said.
While misidentification had been possible for anyone, a mother recognizing her child had been absolute certainty.
“Odalys always insisted Hannah was hiding something, and it seems you really can’t judge a book by its cover,” Freya said emotionally.
The comparison of wealthy families to the deep sea rang true, as navigating their complex dynamics had been challenging without a degree of shrewdness.
“She sent her abroad, so how could she not know? It’s like she’s covering-almost an accomplice!” Selah nodded in agreement.
Chapter 666
“I thought Caspian was fairly neutral and didn’t single anyone out too harshly, but I didn’t realize he was being insincere,” Selah added as Stellan pulled up a chair and sat down.
“A heavy silence fell over the four friends in the dressing room as they watched the unsettling news unfold.
“Selah wondered aloud, “The Bennett family’s energy field seems to attract misfortune. They sent their biological daughter away, and their son was tragically killed.
“Even Windsor left three years ago to escape danger. Could Caspian be Hannah’s illegitimate son, now old enough that she wants him close?”
“Freya tapped her forehead and said, ” Didn’t the police do a paternity test? They must have checked whether she’s related to Caspian.” As they discussed the possibility, a chill ran down their spines, and their voices faded into silence.
“Francis asked, “There’s no filming tonight. Shall we get dinner?”
“The three turned to him at once. “Are you treating?” they asked.
“Order whatever you want-it’s on me today,” Francis said generously.
“Although accustomed to treating each other well, they were delighted by Francis’ s offer and happily went downstairs to the waiting car.
“Selah accidentally kicked something and tumbled to the ground. When Freya rushed to help her up, she grasped the air.
“Selah?” Freya was startled to see that Selah had fallen and disappeared to the ground.
“What happened?” Francis asked, rushing over when he saw Freya standing there dazedly, her hand still outstretched.
“Stellan was about to get in the driver’s seat when he paused, walked towards them, and asked confusedly, “Where’s Selah?”
“Freya, her face pale, pointed to the empty patch of ground. “She just fell,” she said, “There’s nothing there to grab.”
“She fell? Here? It’s completely flat. How could it be?” Francis frowned, but he still reached out in the direction she was pointing.
“Although the ground appeared solid, Francis’s hand seemed to pass through it. He froze, then looked sharply at Freya and Stellan. “There’s nothing here,” he said.
“Stellan rushed ahead, phone held high, shining the flashlight down. The ground looked solid, but Francis insisted it was hollow. Reaching out to touch it, Francis’s hand met only air. It was a baffling illusion: what appeared to be a solid surface was intangible.
“He leaned forward to touch the ground but couldn’t reach it. Although it appeared flat, it felt entirely different when he tried to touch it.
“Freya anxiously threw her coffee at whatever was before her, but it vanished into thin air. “Selah was right here, about to get in the car, when she suddenly collapsed. I tried to grab her, but there was no time, and she disappeared! She must have fallen into something. What do we do?”
“They had seen outrageous things but never anything like that. “Could Selah have fallen into some parallel world?” Freya asked anxiously.
“Just as she prepared to jump, Stellan caught her. “I’ll find a rope and come down shortly. Wait here and hold on to me while I investigate the situation below,” he said.
“Stellan secured one end of the 160-foot rope to the front pillar and prepared to tie the other end around his waist, but Francis intervened and took his hand. “Huh?” Stellan looked up, confused.
“Francis’s face darkened as he snatched the rope from Stellan. “Let me go down,” he insisted.
“Stellan started to say something, but Francis stopped him. “I’m an orphan. If not for Odalys and all of you, I would have died long ago. You’ve been with me through the darkest times. My life doesn’t hold much value.
“You’re different. As the heir of the Drake family, you have parents who need you. It’s too dangerous down there; you can’t go.” Francis said as he secured the rope to himself.
“Stellan’s lips moved, and his heart suddenly ached. He’d never seen Francis as an orphan; they’d been close friends from the start, and their backgrounds were irrelevant. Yet, it seemed Francis felt differently.
“Francis,” Stellan said, stepping forward and taking his arm. “Don’t worry. It’s not as if I’m walking into the jaws of death. I’ Il check out what’s going on down there. If I don’t return, ask Odalys for help.”
“But what if I am fine?” Francis asked, a sad smile gracing his handsome face. “Francis stepped forward, embracing Stellan in a tight hug. He patted him on the back and said, “You never treated me differently because I was an orphan. And remember last time when you all helped me clear my debts? I may not have said it then, but I knew what you did for me!”
“After breaking up with his agent and ex- girlfriend, Francis was deeply in debt because they had lavishly used his credit card. The debt, burdened by compound interest, amounted to over 30 million dollars, a sum he feared he could never repay in his lifetime.
“By the time he earned enough money, he’ d likely owe over 30 million dollars. The debt could even spiral out of control. Everyone knew loan sharks were dangerous.
“Francis was eager to start earning money from acting instead of borrowing it. He was confused when the loan shark stopped harassing him about his debt. When he called to inquire, he was astonished to learn that the 30 million dollars had been paid off.
“Odalys spearheaded with an initial 20 million dollars. Freya, Selah, and I then divided the remaining,” explained Stellan. “Odalys had hoped to pay off Francis’s debts, but Freya refused. She believed that since they were all friends, everyone should contribute. Selah’s contribution nearly depleted her savings. They never told Francis about this.
Hearing this, Francis chuckled softly. “I’m leaving,” he said, turned around, and jumped.
“As he lifted his foot to jump down, he froze mid-air, completely dumbfounded. He didn’t fall, though. Francis stared at the ground beneath him in disbelief.” What’s going on? It’s solid?” he wondered, astonished.
“Seeing this, Freya rushed forward. The previously unreachable ground was now accessible.
“What about Selah? Was she buried alive?” Freya’s voice trembled, fear gripping her words. Moments ago, they had all reached down, their hands unable to touch the ground. Now, to their horror, they discovered they couldn’t fall either.
Chapter 667
“She wondered, ‘Did the ground split open, Selah fall in, and then close back up? If that’s what happened, wouldn’t she be crushed?’
“Freya panicked. “What do we do now?”
“Francis stood dumbfounded, regretting his hesitation. He wondered if he would have made it in time if he had jumped immediately instead of speaking. The delay in speaking seemed to have cost him precious seconds.
“Call Odalys and ask,” Stellan said with a clear mind, hoping she might have a solution. It wasn’t time to panic yet.
“Since Selah had been filming with the group all day, everyone naturally assumed they were all friends. So how could the disappearance of one of them be a joke?
“Freya agreed, “Right, call Odalys.” Stellan’s face darkened after making the call.
“What’s the matter?” Francis asked.
“Frustrated, Stellan tried calling again, opting for the speakerphone. A robotic voice said, “The number you dialed is powered off. Please try again later.”
“Powered off?” Freya was stunned. She had been sending messages and making calls just moments ago-why was Odalys’s phone suddenly off? Not believing it, Freya tried calling again, only to find Odalys unavailable.
“Let’s split up and search for her,” Freya suggested anxiously. “Even if Odalys doesn’t have a solution, at least we’ll still have some hope.”
“Francis wanted to follow but was interrupted. ” Francis, stay here and monitor things. Don’t let anyone near this spot. If anything changes, send us a message, okay?” Stellan continued, “Freya and I will search for Odalys separately. Don’t wander off.”
“Francis understood and agreed. “Okay, I’ll stay put. You guys get back here quickly. Let me know if anything happens.” He nodded.
“Freya and Stellan drove toward the city. Freya’s palms sweated with anxiety as she sped, and she called Evander. “Mr. Stewart, it’s Freya. Do you know where Percival and Odalys went?”
“I don’t know. Did something happen?” Evander asked.
“Worried that Evander would be concerned, Freya quickly shook her head and said, “It’s nothing. I need to ask them something, but both of their phones are off.” Then she hung up.
“She called for Orson and Callum, but neither knew where Odalys and Percival had gone. Freya’s eyes were red and swollen; the image of Selah’s fall felt surreal, too impossible to be accurate.
“I’ve contacted everyone, Stellan, but no one knows where they went,” Freya said over the phone. “Orson offered to help me investigate, so I’m headed to the city now.”
“Stellan, who seemed calmer than Freya, was also driving. “I’ve asked my dad to help me check, and I’ll let you know as soon as I have any news,” he said. Then, they both drove toward the city.
“Orson frowned as he answered the phone in the hospital lounge. “Both of their phones are off? What’s happening?”
“Percival had kept his phone on since the meeting, knowing that their unlisted numbers meant only their circle could get through. It was alarming that he couldn’t reach Percival and Odalys-their phones were off.
“Oh no, what happened?” Orson was startled awake. He’d been tired lately and had finally drifted off, only to be disturbed. Still foggy, he sat on the sofa and became more alert.
“As Orson was about to leave, he was stopped by the returning Clarence. “Did you hear? Bennett’s second son died over ten years ago. They say Caspian killed him himself-broke his legs and buried him alive in Hannah’s room. “Percival and Odalys reported it earlier today, prompting a police investigation. Caspian is an imposter – they say he’s the murderer from all those years ago.
“It’s chilling to think he was capable of such brutality at such a young age. I always thought he was the most remarkable of the Bennett brothers. To discover he wasn’t even part of their family is quite a shock,” said Clarence. Despite his age, he was still sharp-minded.
“What was that, Grandpa?” Orson was overwhelmed with information and couldn’t process his words momentarily.
“The Bennetts are in trouble,” Clarence stated. Caspian’s father passed away years ago, and Caspian himself is a fraud.” He walked over to his desk, lifted his thermos, and sipped water. “Orson was shocked. “What happened? I just took a nap and missed so much?” He wanted to ask more but didn’t have time.
“Clarence wanted to continue but watched as Orson grabbed his car keys and left. He quickly followed, asking, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to find Percival and Odalys,” Orson declared, departing quickly.
“After finishing his water, Clarence sat quietly before calling Evander. With his phone in hand, he left for Stewart’s Villa.
“After parking downtown, Percival and Odalys took the elevator from the shopping mall to the 18th-floor restaurant.
“Mr. Stewart, please,” the manager said, his demeanor immediately becoming respectful. He had been so intimidated by Percival’s reservation call that he’d immediately cleared the restaurant for him, refusing all other guests.
After all, this was the Stewart family restaurant, and the top VIP lounge was reserved exclusively for him.
“Is this a restaurant?” Odalys wondered, stepping into the antique-filled space. Warm, yellow light illuminated the interior, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. Small bridges arched over overflowing water, adding to the enchanting ambiance.
“A screen stands at one end of the dining table beside a tree that overlooks a pond. Wisps of smoke drift across the water, creating an ambiance reminiscent of a bygone era.
The diners, caught in the serene atmosphere, speak in hushed tones, their reverence palpable. The exceptional dining experience was reflected in the pricing.
“A restaurant with spicy food as its theme,” Percival said.
“The manager ushered them through the door to the exclusive VIP lounge. Inside, the softly lit space held a large dining table laden with drinks and snacks. “Please, enjoy some refreshments,” the manager offered, leading them further. “The main course will be served shortly.”
“The little snake slithered out as soon as Odalys set her bag down.
Chapter 668
“It crawled toward the dining table, gazing at the fruit in a daze, but fear kept it from approaching.
“Want some?” Odalys smiled, holding the fruit out to it.
“Seeing her nod, the snake uncoiled and slithered towards her, its eyes gleaming. Percival removed his coat, held a chair for her, and invited her to sit.
“After Percival poured her a cup of coffee, Odalys took a bite of the mango pudding. It was so delicious that it melted in her mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance on her tongue.
“This is good,” Odalys said, her eyes lighting up after a bite.
“As Percival saw her enjoyment and was about to turn away, she held the pudding to his lips. ” Want a bite?” she asked with a smile. Her fingertips brushed his as she offered, sending a tingle like a jolt of electricity.
“Percival swallowed as he took a bite. Meeting her eager gaze, he said, “Not bad.”
“Right? It was delicious,” Odalys said. She wasn’t a picky eater, so she was happy as long as the food was decent.
“Her upbringing in the mountains made her self- reliant and skilled in foraging, cooking, and gardening from a young age, even though her mentor wasn’t concerned with her diet.
“Did you ever eat wild vegetables?” Odalys asked abruptly.
“Percival nodded. “Yes, I have. While in the army, we sometimes ran out of rations on training exercises. I even resorted to eating grass to survive.” A shadow flickered in his deep eyes as memories resurfaced.
“Me too!” Odalys perked up, taking a bite of pastry. “When I was young, I had to grow vegetables in the mountains. I didn’t understand how to do it well, and I often overwatered them, which killed them.
“My mentor was incredibly busy, often needing to leave the mountain to cultivate or tend to his crops, leaving him with little time for me. Unfortunately, I overwatered the vegetables, leaving us with nothing to eat. It forced me to climb the mountain to forage for wild vegetables.” “She continued, “During the winter months, when wild vegetables were scarce, I ate weeds. Sometimes, in my mentor’s absence, I even consumed tree bark, neglecting to cook.
“Some tree bark is edible but can be challenging and taste like aged citrus peel. I learned this the hard way when I was once so hungry that I accidentally ate a poisonous bark, which knocked me unconscious for three days.” “Odalys laughed as she reminisced, “When I woke up, a wild boar dragged me back to its den and nearly ate me! But I fought back, and well, I ended up killing it. It was the meal I desperately needed.
“Back then, I had no idea how to kill a boar- I just stabbed it a few times and ended up burning it when I tried to roast it.”
“Percival froze, his deep eyes fixed on her smiling face. His throat went dry, and a twisting pain gripped his heart.
“He knew she’d grown up in the mountains, always in her mentor’s care. She never spoke about it, and he, unaware of her difficult upbringing, didn’t want to pry.
“He mistook her quiet strength for an easy life, unaware of the hardships she had overcome alone. She never revealed her struggles, leading him to believe her mentor had always been there for her, falsely.
“Next time, I’ll take you up the mountain,” Odalys said with a smile. “There’s a cave with refreshing water. I think drinking it is the secret to my good health.” She noticed Percival’s eyes were red- rimmed as he stared at her.
“Percival, are you alright?” Odalys asked, startled. Leaning closer, she saw his eyes were red. He turned away as she drew near, but his hand shot out as she started to speak.
“The unexpected embrace of Percival caught her off guard, his hold so tight it felt as if he wanted to meld her very being into his. “Odalys,” he rasped, his voice thick with emotion.
“He held her close, his chin resting on her head.
She struggled a little, but he wouldn’t let her go.” When we have time,” Percival whispered, “I want to take you back to the mountains. I want to see the cave you lived in, taste the wild vegetables you grew, and experience your life there.”
“Odalys relaxed in his embrace, feeling his strong heartbeat and sensing his emotions. She didn’t resist or pull away, simply letting him hold her.
“Odalys leaned against him, her hand pausing before gently hugging him back. “Actually,” she said softly, “I’m not sad or bitter. If my mentor hadn’t rescued me and brought me to the mountains, I would have frozen to death that night.
“Life in the mountains was more joyful than living with the Bennetts. At least I wouldn’t meet the same fate as their second son, murdered with his parents sending the killer abroad for further education instead of seeking justice,” Odalys said.
“Witnessing Caspian’s true nature and his actions today, especially when she saw the corpse, deeply affected her. Being abandoned, however painful, ultimately saved her. Staying in the Bennett family might be too dangerous. “Percival said, “I’ll always be here for you.” He wasn’t sure what to say or do to comfort her, but he knew he wanted to stay by her side, support, care for her, and keep her safe. He wanted her to live a happy life, free from the pain of displacement.
“Okay,” Odalys said softly.
“Percival lowered his head, kissing her hair softly. The little snake lifted its head on the table,
watching with bright eyes. As if suddenly shy, it hid its face behind its tail before peeking out again.
“Your food is ready, Mr. Stewart,” the manager announced, pushing open the door and wheeling the dining car. He stopped short, stunned into silence at the sight of Percival embracing Odalys. The manager wished he could unsee the scene before him.
“The food is here,” Odalys said, giving Percival a quick nudge.
“The terrified manager rushed the dining car in, quickly served the dishes, and remained utterly silent, only exhaling when finished. He immediately wheeled the dining car out and closed the door with a fearful bang.
“Odalys watched in disbelief as the manager fled in a panic. “Why is he so terrified? Did you threaten him?” she asked, puzzled.
Chapter 669
“The manager’s expression made it clear he was terrified, and his hasty retreat was almost comical.
“No,” Percival said sternly, fearing she might think he was taking advantage of others.
“Faced with a table laden with unfamiliar delicacies, Odalys felt a thrill of excitement. Percival explained when selecting a dish for her, My father opened this restaurant and created the menu. It focuses primarily on coffee, though. See if it suits your taste.”
“Odalys was surprised to discover that the restaurant belonged to Percival’s father. Given his penchant for coffee and gentle, elegant demeanor, the restaurant’s style seemed to suit him.
“Then I have to give it a try,” Odalys said.
“The two ate their meal while the little snake, coiled to the side and watching intently, occasionally accepted a bite from Odalys. The snake wasn’t picky and even began to eat on its own.
“Percival was surprised to see a snake eat rice, thinking it illogical-yet it did.
“It’s different,” Odalys said, but she didn’t elaborate further.
“Percival glanced at his phone, noting the time, and suggested, “How about a movie after dinner?” “Alright,” Odalys replied.
“After quickly finishing dinner, Percival took her purse, slipped the snake inside, and held it for her as they left the restaurant. They rode the elevator to the 23rd floor, where the cinema was eerily silent.
“Why is it empty?” Odalys wondered, surprised by the eerie silence within the cinema. Checking her watch, she saw it was 8.30 pm, an hour when the usually bustling area should have been crowded.
“Odalys continued walking when she felt something fluttering down from above. Instinctively, she looked up and raised her hand, but then she saw romantic rose petals drifting down slowly in the warm yellow light.
“This is?” Odalys pulled back, delighted as the sweet-smelling petals rained around her, forming a crimson carpet with every step she took.
“As rose petals fluttered, fireworks erupted across the ceiling, illuminating the entire cinema. The light danced on Odalys’s face as she twirled gracefully, her bag swaying beside her. The snake peeked from the bag amidst the fragrant, swirling petals.
“Percival.” The romantic atmosphere shattered as Orson rushed out of the elevator, panting. “The sight of rose petals scattered across the floor stopped Orson in his tracks; he’d stumbled upon someone’s romantic date. He mentally kicked himself, knowing he wouldn’t have interrupted if it wasn’t urgent.
“Orson?” Percival frowned at Orson’s unexpected arrival. Sensing his anxiousness, Percival realized he must have a pressing question.
“Is something wrong? Why didn’t you call?” Percival asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. Seeing Orson snapped Odalys out of her romantic reverie, and she hurried over to him.
“Both of your phones were turned off, so I couldn’t get through,” Orson said, spreading his hands. He went to the freezer, grabbed a water bottle, and took a swig. He continued to pant. “Upon hearing this, Percival and Odalys instinctively grabbed their phones only to find them powered off. They then exchanged uneasy glances before looking at the little snake.
“Did you turn off our phones?” Odalys asked. The snake recoiled into her bag, afraid to meet her gaze. Odalys was taken aback; she always kept her phone on. She hadn’t expected Orson to contact her.
“What happened?” Percival asked sharply.
“After finishing his water, Orson breathed, saying, “Freya and Stellan are looking for you. They mentioned Selah is missing and has been searching the city for you. She even contacted the Stewart family, so I asked around for your location and came here to tell you.”
“Odalys quickly turned on her phone to call Freya just as Freya stepped off the elevator.
“Odalys,” Freya rushed over, surprised to find the bustling cinema empty. Petals littered the floor. “It dawned on her that Percival had brought Odalys to the movies, likely having chosen this theater to surprise her with a romantic date.
“Freya hated interrupting their date, but it was a matter of life and death, so she had to rush over. “What’s wrong? What happened to Selah?” Odalys asked with concern.
“Percival seemed uneasy, but not because his date had been interrupted. He understood that Odalys considered Selah a friend and realized the gravity of the situation. Hence, the romance felt trivial. After all, their date could be rescheduled, which didn’t bother him much. “We were about to go out for dinner after work, and then…” Freya launched into the whole story. She even squatted down and gestured at the ground, saying, “When I reached out to pull her, my hand went straight through-like it was empty. Nothing but darkness.”
“Freya was nearly in tears. “When Francis tried to jump down after her, the ground solidified. We tried, too, but it was back to normal-impossible. But I know Selah fell through! Her car was right there, and she was about to get in. I was right behind her.”
“The experience was so strange that she could hardly believe it herself and worried no one else would believe her.
“How could someone vanish like that? The ground was empty one moment, then solid the next!” Orson felt overwhelmed, his mind struggling to grasp what he was hearing.
“If you don’t believe me, ask Stellan,” Freya said. “Stellan arrived at the same time and echoed Freya’s statement. He confirmed, touching the spot, finding nothing but empty ground beneath. Even with his phone’s flashlight, he couldn’t see anything in the pitch black nor hear any echo. “Odalys, what are your thoughts?” Orson asked eagerly, desperate to see this incredible thing for himself.
Chapter 670
“Being around these people brought Orson constant discoveries.
“Let’s go have a look first,” Odalys said. Then, about to leave, she paused as if remembering something. Turning back to Percival, she apologized, “I’m so sorry, but something’s come up. I must go, even though I was supposed to watch a movie with you.”
“Odalys expected Percival to be disappointed, maybe even angry since they rarely went out together. So when he’d asked her out, and she’d agreed, she was surprised by his unconcealed joy. Looking away at the flower petals scattered on the ground, she couldn’t help but feel guilty. “It’s okay. A life is at stake-it’s important,” Percival said. He showed no anger as he stepped forward, took Odalys’s hand, and walked toward the elevator. “I’ll go with you,” he said.
“Night had fallen by the time they reached the Film Capital.
“Francis stood alone, his clothes rippling in the wind. His gaze fixed on the ground, he asked, ” Selah, did you hear me?”
“The cold air was his only answer. Selah vanished instantly-one moment she was there, the next she was gone. The ground was solid again, even though she had just fallen through it.
The whole thing was deeply unsettling.
“Francis’s momentarily vacant eyes brightened when he saw several people rushing toward him. “Odalys,” he gasped, his gaze snapping at Odalys. “Here! It’s here!” He gestured urgently towards the ground.
“Odalys hurried to Francis’s side. “Is this where Selah fell?” she asked, following his gaze. “Yes, this is the place,” Francis responded.
“Percival strode forward and lightly tapped the ground. Finding it solid, Orson followed close behind.
“This patch of ground blends right in with the surrounding area-the color’s identical. It looks completely undisturbed, like it’s always been this way. There are no cracks or anything. It just seems normal,” Orson said honestly, though his words blew their hopes.
“I just checked-there aren’t any cracks or signs of movement. How could Selah have disappeared? We were all here,” Francis said. “Yes, I saw it myself,” Freya agreed.
“Odalys listened to the ongoing discussion in silence, her face serious. After staring at the ground for a long moment, she abruptly stood and announced, “Percival, we need to go to the police station.”
“Percival agreed instantly without even asking why. Odalys’s decision to go to the police without consulting Selah surprised everyone.
“Odalys told them, “You can leave now.”
“Freya and Stellan rushed forward to untie the rope from Francis’s waist while he remained motionless. Once everyone was in the car, they drove directly to the police station.
“Upon hearing of Odalys’s arrival, everyone at the police station dropped what they were doing and rushed out to greet her. However, Odalys hurried towards them and asked, “Would it be possible for me to see Caspian and Brandon?” “Sure, we just finished interrogating them,” the young policeman following Lee earlier said. He was no stranger to Odalys.
“Ms. Stone is here.”
“This way, please.”
“The officers were very respectful, simply turning to lead her away without a single question. The group exchanged surprised glances, not expecting such a smooth departure. Still caught up in the mystery of Selah’s disappearance, they were caught off guard.
“Caspian and Brandon were imprisoned together, both visibly despondent. After a long silence, Brandon coughed up blood. “Impossible,” he muttered in despair, glancing around wildly.” How could this be?”
“The place’s ordinariness fueled his confidence. Had it been like this before, he would have escaped long ago by breaking through the wall. He believed that if the police caught him, this would be his chance to vanish. However, he and Caspian were unexpectedly locked up there after the interrogation.
“He unleashed his magic, but the wall wouldn’t budge. Instead, he coughed up blood. “What happened?” Brandon muttered reluctantly.
“
“Caspian’s face was pale. He glared at Brandon, his eyes blazing with murderous resentment. What more do you want from me?” he spat out.” I’m already a member of the Bennett family – what more could you possibly want? Why are you back? Why drag me down with you?”
“The rapid succession of events left him reeling. He had gone to assist Odalys with a task at noon, only to have Percival break his leg. To compound the horror, Odalys then buried him alive, exposing his deepest secrets in the process.
“I’m filled with regret. Why did I listen to Brandon? If I hadn’t provoked Odalys, I wouldn’t be in this mess, he thought.
“He felt no remorse for breaking Caspian’s leg nor for killing him. His only regret was getting involved with Odalys and provoking her.
He’d always warned himself against tangling with her, but as if his mind were muddled, he’d forgotten everything. He was overwhelmed with grief and despair.
“The police didn’t consider taking him to the hospital; instead, they dragged him with his broken leg and left him in the detention center.
“Have you forgotten our agreement? I helped you take control of the Bennett family, but you lost to Henry! Now you have nothing-no stake in the Bennett Group, no claim to the family fortune.” Brandon glared at Caspian, disappointment etched on his face.
“Wait!” Brandon rasped, rushing over to Caspian. He grabbed Caspian’s clothes and ripped them away, scattering the torn fabric on the ground. Caspian’s eyes widened in astonishment when he saw Brandon drop to his knees, gaze fixed intently on him.
“That’s why I couldn’t push myself today! I could have broken through that wall and escaped-no one could have stopped me,” Brandon said bitterly, gesturing to the marks on Caspian’s body. “Odalys did something to you.
“She bound us together and sealed pressure points all over your body, reversing your energy flow. She sealed your six senses using a talisman, making it impossible for us to be more than 300 feet apart.
“No matter where you go, I am forced to follow. She intends to keep us bound together, even in death. That cruel woman,” Brandon gasped, collapsing. “She knew I’d try to lead the police here. She broke your leg to keep you weak, and now she’s dragging me to my death.”
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