Chapter 411
Windsor stood beneath the streetlamp, his vision blurring.
“What’s happening?” His voice trembled in panic.
His legs refused to obey, and as he tried to take a step toward the Simpson villa, it felt as though something invisible had jabbed into his body.
When he looked back, a shadow darted toward him.
Before he could even register it, everything went black. A cold sensation trickled down his forehead, and he blinked. His vision swam, and with a sudden flash of darkness, he lost consciousness.
Windsor’s body stood frozen, but Percival was there, his large hand reaching out to steady him. He caught Windsor from behind, keeping him from collapsing.
At the same time, Odalys stepped forward, placing a talisman on Windsor’s forehead. As her fingers released, Windsor remained standing, eyes closed, as though in a deep sleep.
“Anything unusual?” Percival asked, his voice low but curious.
Odalys stepped back, her gaze sharp as she studied Windsor’s still form.
“I’ve seen something,” she said after a moment.”
There are two shadows on him. They overlap, like two people inhabiting the same body. Windsor believes he is himself, but much of what happens to him is being controlled by the other presence inside him. I also smell something familiar-remember that disgusting Rafael from the village?”
Percival’s brow furrowed. He remembered Rafael well.
That night, Rafael had tried to attack Freya in the Film Capital, but the venomous little snake had turned the tables, leaving Rafael disabled and eventually killed by a truck.
“I remember,” Percival said, his voice heavy with the memory. “That bastard died tonight.”
She paused, her lips curling into a cold smile.” He was trying to use the strange, eerie events in the Film Capital to stir up confusion. That’s why I had to take decisive action against him.”
“But now, something’s different,” she continued.” Windsor has the same aura I smelled on that paper doll. It’s faint, but unmistakable. This means someone’s using black magic-negative energy-to control him, just like Rafael did.” Paper dolls were made by magicians who coat paper with a special oil and then, at midnight, outline a human figure using magic dust or other fuels. They drew it during times of intense negative energy, infusing it with something that allowed the paper doll to absorb negative energy, making it so easily possessed that it seemed alive.’
This method was used in ancient times, mostly to scare people. Odalys never imagined anyone would still use such black magic today. It looked like the Love Spell also came from this person’s hand.
But this person is hiding so well. Odalys could sense a familiar energy, but she couldn’t pinpoint their presence. Clearly, they had gone to great lengths to mask their scent.
Otherwise, with just a sniff, she would be able to track them down immediately.
Percival’s eyes narrowed. “So the energy from the paper doll is the same as what’s coming off Windsor. He came here tonight to summon a spirit. But whose spirit is he trying to summon? The one inside him? Or someone from the Simpson family?”
Odalys’s expression darkened as she thought about it. “He’s trying to summon the other presence inside him. It’s Quinton’s. Windsor and Quinton share the same body. If Quinton is using Windsor, then everything Windsor has done- sleeping with Sophia, for example-is Quinton’s will. We need to look into Sophia’s past. I have a hunch that the Simpson family had something to do with her being taken in by the Bennett family after her parents mysteriously died.”
Percival thought back to the investigation he had conducted earlier. “I looked into it already. Sophia’s parents died the night she was adopted -they jumped into a river. There were no other children in the family, and the couple had no connections to anything suspicious.”
Odalys frowned, her mind racing. “That’s where it gets tricky. If Quinton’s controlling Windsor, then it’s possible that Windsor’s actions, his relationships-even Sophia’s-are all a part of his plan. We need to figure out what the Simpson family has been up to.
Why were they so interested in Sophia? And what does the Bennett family have that they want so badly?”
She fell silent, her gaze drifting into the distance. Percival saw the tension in her face. “So, what now?”
Odalys took a deep breath. “Let me see what that other presence inside Windsor is planning.”
She stepped forward again, her fingers moving delicately over the talisman on Windsor’s forehead. She traced the symbols, her focus intense. As she did, Windsor’s eyes shot open, wide with confusion, staring blankly at her.
With a swift motion, she leaned in closer. Windsor let out a blood-curdling scream.
Odalys was inside his mind now, piercing through the layers of his consciousness. The cold inside him was suffocating, and she shuddered as the icy presence clawed at her.
Suddenly, she saw a figure dart toward her. She reacted instantly, stepping aside to dodge the apparition. She spun behind it, grabbing it by the neck and pulling with all her strength-but it was only an illusion, a shadow, not solid at all. After a few moments of struggle, she used the talisman to freeze the figure in place.
She withdrew from Windsor’s mind, stumbling backward, her expression grave. Windsor stood there, motionless. His face was pale, lifeless. Odalys’s brow furrowed deeper. “Windsor’s dead. His mind is blank. His consciousness was wiped three years ago-when he was in that life- and-death crisis. Someone revived him, but the ‘ Windsor’ we know is not really him anymore.”
Percival’s eyes widened. “So he’s alive, but he’s not really alive?”
“Exactly,” she replied coldly. “He’s neither dead nor alive. More like a puppet, with someone else pulling the strings. Windsor’s brain was emptied three years ago. He’s been living in a vacuum ever since. A living corpse, really.”
She paused, her voice turning colder. “That’s when Quinton took control of him, using him like a vessel. Quinton’s still manipulating Windsor- just like he’s using those paper dolls.”
“Percival thought for a moment, his mind racing. “So Quinton’s been using Windsor for years… and now he’s back. It’s strange, though. How could a high-ranking member of the Simpson family know this kind of dark magic?”
Odalys’s lips curled in a bitter smile. “That’s what’ s so interesting. Quinton’s been hiding in the shadows, using others to do his bidding. It’s only now, with Windsor, that he’s started to make his move.”
She leaned back, a thought striking her.” Windsor tried to summon Quinton tonight, using the ritual. But Quinton refused to respond. He doesn’t want to show himself just yet. That’s why Windsor’s cigarette went out. Quinton wasn’ t interested.”
“Can we use Windsor to draw Quinton out?” Percival asked, still piecing it all together.
Odalys shook her head, her voice tinged with caution. “No. It’s too risky. If we tip our hand now, we’ll only alert him. And there’s still the mystery of the villa’s murder case… we can’t afford to stir up more trouble just yet.”
She sighed, her thoughts clearly tangled. “There’ s a lot we still don’t know. But one thing’s for sure-this game is far from over.”
Chapter 412
Odalys said, “Let’s check with Lee later and see what’s going on with the case. I want to know if the dead in that villa have any connection to the Simpson family. The elder who was helping Sophia… he died from backlash in that villa, after all.”
“So there’s someone behind Sophia, continuing to feed her luck. The key thing here is that Finnian’s fortune was shared with Sophia.
When Finnian ran into trouble, Sophia didn’t suffer directly, but Finnian’s bad luck definitely affected her. This means Sophia is the dominant one. She seems to be the one pulling the strings, using others’ fortune to fuel her own success,” Odalys explained, her voice low but sharp. These were complex matters, ones most people would struggle to grasp.
“So, Sophia is a critical figure?” Percival furrowed his brows, clearly surprised by the complexity of what Odalys was saying.
Given Sophia’s intelligence and methods, she hadn’t appeared to be the type to orchestrate grand schemes. She didn’t seem like someone who controlled situations from behind the scenes.
“She hasn’t fully awakened yet,” Odalys continued. “Her actions right now are designed to mislead us, to make us think everyone else is weak and unimportant, so we lower our guard. She kept buying Love Spells, but they always failed.
“The elder who had been boosting her power was killed by backlash. You’d think someone would step in to take his place. But so far, we field haven’t seen anyone else. That villa’s energy is strange-clearly designed that way. And now, with the police shutting it down, whoever is behind this is most afraid of Lee digging deeper. That’s why Lee’s daughter was caught in that explosion at school.”
The pieces began to fit together.
“That means they’re scared of Lee,” Percival mused, picking up the thread. “Maybe Lee’s too familiar with them. Perhaps he investigated them before-or at least someone connected to them.”
It was starting to make sense. Everything seemed out of place, but when examined together, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.
“Not just that,” Odalys added, her voice turning colder. “The paper doll Rafael used, the one with the same energy as Windsor… that means everything Rafael did is connected to the Simpson family.
“This time, Edie used Rafael to try and tarnish Freya. That makes Edie’s behavior highly suspicious. She had Freya moved out of the Stewart Villa, only to lure her into that troublesome house she had set up.”
Odalys fell silent, her mind racing with the connections.
Percival watched her, his gaze intense. They were clearly on the same page.
“I’ve suspected for a while that Freya’s parents’ deaths were suspicious,” Percival admitted, his voice grave. “But so much time has passed, and all the traces have faded. It’s hard to dig up anything.”
“Edie’s involvement in bringing Rafael into this reveals her link to him. And now she’s distanced herself from the Simpson family, marrying Henry,” Odalys continued, her expression darkening.” Sophia’s now with the Bennett family, so the Simpson family’s real target is the Bennett Group. She needs a legitimate identity to get into the Bennett family, and Sophia’s relationship with Hannah is key. Now, she’s using all kinds of methods to take down Freya. Could it be that Freya, still alive, is the one obstacle in her way? But Freya can’t die… so she’s trying to control her.” Percival paused, thinking over everything Odalys had just said. It made sense. Edie’s actions weren’t about killing Freya, but about keeping her alive while manipulating her.
“Freya… Sophia,” Odalys murmured, the names lingering in the air like a riddle she couldn’t quite solve.
There was something they were missing, something important, but she couldn’t put her finger on it yet.
“Looks like we won’t be going into the Simpson villa tonight,” Percival said, breaking the silence. Let’s get Windsor back to the car. We’ll head home for now.”
The situation had grown more complicated. Any rash action could alert them, and that would ruin everything.
“Agreed,” Odalys responded, her mind still turning over the details.
“Percival tossed Windsor into the back of the car, and the two moved quickly toward the shadows. Just as they were about to get in, Odalys snapped her fingers with a sharp click.
Windsor jolted awake, his body trembling as he came back to consciousness, his confusion evident.
“What happened to me? Did I fall asleep?” he muttered, looking down at the cigarette on the ground. He checked the time and, after a long pause, started the car and drove off into the night.
As Windsor’s car disappeared into the darkness, Odalys finally spoke, her voice low but decisive.” The energy field around the Simpson villa is strange. If you look closely, it’s shaped like a coffin, and the trees around it are heavy with negative energy. Usually, people avoid planting such trees near their homes, but the Simpson family has surrounded their villa with them. “Those trees are linked to negative energy, and the villa itself feels like a place where the dead reside. But further ahead, there’s strong financial energy. On the left, there’s a lake-water is linked to wealth. Trees symbolize negative energy. It’s as if the Simpson family understands energy fields. Which means someone behind them is a master of this kind of thing. This is likely why the paper dolls and Love Spells are tied to them.”
Percival remained silent, listening intently.
He trusted Odalys completely. Her sharp mind always saw things others missed.
“I’ll have someone break the Simpson family’s energy field,” Percival said coldly, his hands gripping the steering wheel.
He looked ahead, his gaze hardening as he thought about the Simpson villa. He’d always found something off about the place, but Edie’s actions had kept him away. He never bothered to visit or investigate further.
“No need,” Odalys replied with a sly smile. “If we break it now, it won’t be as interesting. We already know there’s a problem with their energy field. The paper dolls and Love Spells likely came from them. And now, Henry and Edie are tied together. She married into the Simpson family.”
The two families were now intertwined, their fates locked together.
“I want to see how Sophia handles this. Let’s see if the Simpson family sits back and watches, wondering if we’ve got everything wrong-or if everything we’re seeing is just a distraction.”
Odalys’s voice was laced with a cold amusement. The game was becoming more complex, and she couldn’t help but feel intrigued by what would come next.
“I’ll go along with that,” Percival agreed, a steely determination in his eyes.
He started the car, taking a detour toward the Stewart Villa. But as they neared, they saw a familiar figure standing outside.
The man wore a grey tracksuit and a hat, standing by himself, smoking a cigarette.
When he heard the sound of the car, he looked up. His eyes locked with Odalys’s.
“Lee?” Odalys’s voice was laced with surprise.
Lee was known for his impartiality. He wasn’t one to get close to anyone, especially not to them. This was the first time he had ever come to find them.
Chapter 413
Percival stopped the car, and both he and Odalys stepped out, heading towards the figure standing by the Stewart Villa.
“Why aren’t you going in?” Percival asked, confusion evident in his voice.
The Stewart Villa wasn’t a place just anyone could approach, and certainly not somewhere people could waltz into at will. But with Lee here, Evander had no reason to keep him out.
Lee quickly crushed his cigarette, standing up straighter as they approached.
“No need,” Lee said, his voice cautious. “I just have a few things to say, and then I’ll leave.”
He didn’t get close to anyone-especially not to the Stewart family.
Even now, standing alongside Percival, Lee kept his distance. The Stewart family was a powerful conglomerate, with wealth and influence. It was precisely because of that power that Lee had to be careful, to avoid getting tangled up in any future messes.
“Is this about Edie?” Odalys asked, cutting straight to the point.
Lee froze, a look of disbelief crossing his face. He stared at her, wide-eyed.
“How did you know?” he asked, instinctively swallowing hard.
He couldn’t hide his shock. He hadn’t said a word, but Odalys had already figured out why he was here. If she had been an enemy… well, he wouldn’t have known what hit him.
“You’ve got some negative energy about you, and I can sense her presence on you. She must have warned you, pushed you to be cautious,” Odalys said matter-of-factly.
Lee gave a slight nod, admiration flickering in his eyes as he looked at her.
“That’s exactly right. Her threats were… crude, and they made me realize something. The explosion that happened at my daughter’s school, that was connected to her.”
Lee continued without hesitation, his voice dropping. “The case we investigated with the dozen or so bodies in that villa-it’s connected to the Simpson family.”
Percival and Odalys exchanged a glance, surprised to hear their earlier suspicions confirmed.
“I wouldn’t worry,” Percival said quickly, stepping forward. “The Stewart family isn’t involved in the Simpson family’s business.
And as of now, they’ ve cut ties with Edie. What she’s doing is her own business, and we’ll handle it. If it comes to that, you can pursue it as a matter of official duty.”
He was eager to distance himself from the Simpson family. The less association, the better.
Lee seemed to relax slightly, though there was still a trace of surprise in his expression. He had never feared the conglomerates, but neither did he want to make enemies of them.
“With Mr. Stewart’s word, it should make things much easier,” Lee said, though he felt a bit of relief. He had suspected Edie was no longer with the Stewart family, but hearing it confirmed was something else entirely.
“Has there been any progress with the case?” Odalys asked, her voice steady. She wasn’t directly involved with the investigation-being an outsider-so she hadn’t followed up until now. Lee nodded. “Following what you suggested, we’ve found all the families of the victims and confirmed the exact times they went missing. It seems they all received mysterious phone calls just before disappearing-something about winning a prize.
“And then there’s also something to do with loans. What they all had in common was that their financial situations were a mess.
They were desperate, looking for a way out, and ended up losing their lives in the process. All of them were single at the time of death-either recently divorced or separated. There were no romantic entanglements.”
Odalys nodded thoughtfully, her voice soft but firm as she explained. “When people have just gone through a breakup or a divorce, their emotions are unstable. They’re filled with anger, regret, or bitterness.
“It’s easy to push them into a mindset of revenge. Those emotions make them ripe for exploitation. All it takes is a lure-a promise of hope-making them think they have a chance to get revenge, to make the other person beg for forgiveness. In that moment, they’re ready to gamble everything. The more they want something, the less they realize they’re walking into a trap.”
Lee’s expression darkened as he continued. “I traced the victims and found that before they disappeared, they had been betrayed by their partners-cheated on. They’d witnessed it firsthand, even fought over it.
“Their families thought they just went off to clear their heads. By the time anyone realized something was wrong, it was too late. They were already missing-and dead.”
The truth was devastating. The people who had been used, manipulated, and exploited-lost their lives because of someone else’s schemes.
“Edie provoked me today, using my daughter as leverage,” Lee added, his voice edged with bitterness. “And this case… it’s classified. Only a few people knew about it. I’ve been digging through everything, trying to figure it out.”
He paused before continuing. “Right now, the Bennett family and the Simpson family are the two biggest suspects, but we don’t have solid evidence to connect them. I’m not an expert on magic, but both families turned their fortunes around in the same year and became the elite of Crownridge. And Hannah and Edie go way back.” “After the Stewart family’s downfall, both the Bennett and
Simpson families have been flourishing,” Lee said. “I’ve even had professionals examine the energy field in that villa. They said it gathers souls and absorbs resentment.”
“I don’t fully understand all this,” Lee said, his tone a little more humble. “That’s why I came here to speak with you, Odalys. I know you’ve got the knowledge to shed some light on this for me.”
Odalys smiled slightly, her gaze sharp. She had indeed helped Lee in the past with the talisman that protected his daughter, and he trusted her expertise. In fact, she had played a key role in solving a dozen missing person cases, and the police had saved time and effort by involving her. Now, they needed her help to close the case on the villa.
“Once we identify the killer, we can finally close the case on the villa,” Lee said, his expression more focused now.
“Sometimes, misfortune can be a tool,” Odalys said softly, almost as if speaking to herself. “The more misfortune someone carries, the heavier their resentment. There are people who specialize in gathering that resentment and turning it into their own strength. When you collect enough of it, it becomes negative energy. And if you live under that energy long enough, your body weakens, and accidents begin to happen. People die without even realizing how close they were to the edge.”
Percival’s brow furrowed at the mention of negative energy. His mind immediately flashed to the negative energy surrounding the Bennett Villa.
‘Was that just a coincidence… or was there something deeper at play?’ Lee thought.
Lee’s eyes lit up, a spark of realization igniting.” So, all I need to do is look at the people who’ve been the unluckiest, those whose families have been struck by repeated accidents? That might give us some clues?”
Odalys nodded slowly. “Exactly.”
Lee’s excitement was palpable now. A genuine smile spread across his face, one that radiated from the heart. For the first time in a while, it felt like he was getting closer to something. That smile even seemed to infect Odalys, and she couldn’t help but return it, if only slightly.
Chapter 414
Lee and Odalys shared a brief, knowing smile as they stood together. Their bond, though new, was built on an unspoken understanding.
“Alright, I’ll be on my way then,” Lee said, his voice low but warm.
As he turned to leave, he paused, as if struck by a sudden thought. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out something and awkwardly handed it to Odalys.
“My daughter made this-she insisted I bring it to you. She said if I met you, I should give it to you,” he explained, slightly embarrassed.
Odalys blinked in surprise but accepted the folded paper crane. The delicate little bird had colorful markings on its wings, and on one side, in messy handwriting, it read, “Hope Odalys stays beautiful and safe.”
Touched, Odalys smiled. “Please thank her for me. I wish her safety and happiness, too.”
Lee paused for a moment, a slight look of recognition crossing his face, and then he nodded, his voice soft. “Thank you.”
The words held an edge of bittersweetness. Lee knew that Odalys wasn’t one for pleasantries, and that what she said always had a deeper meaning. She hadn’t mentioned any danger for his daughter, and in the past, Odalys had reassured him that his daughter would be fine.
With that in mind, the shadow of Edie’s threat seemed less ominous now. The tension in Lee’s chest finally began to ease.
“I’ll head out now,” Lee said, his footsteps light as he made his way to the door.
As he drove away in his modest car, the moonlight gently illuminated the street. His vehicle slowly disappeared from view.
A moment later, Odalys withdrew her gaze from the road, clutching the paper crane in her hand. “Is something wrong?” Percival asked, sensing the shift in her expression. He noticed her smile faltering, and there was a faint hint of concern in his voice.
Odalys tucked the crane into her bag and shook her head gently. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
Percival nodded, though he still looked a little puzzled. They got back into the car, and he drove toward the Stewart Villa. The iron gate creaked open as they arrived, and he parked the car at the side of the house. They got out and walked toward the entrance, but as they did, Odalys noticed the light still on in the second- floor bedroom.
Evander stood by the large window, gazing down at them. As soon as he saw their figures, he turned away and returned to his room, switching off the light as he went.
Once inside her room, Odalys lay down, feeling the weight of the day. Exhausted from everything that had happened, she fell asleep almost immediately.
But sleep did not come easy.
“Odalys…” The voice was faint at first, distant, almost like an echo from another world.
Odalys furrowed her brow in her sleep, disturbed. The voice drew nearer, growing louder and more insistent.
“Odalys, come. Come out,” the voice rasped, its tone ancient and hoarse, as if it had crawled from the depths of hell.
“Odalys, return.”
The words twisted and repeated in her mind, a demonic chant that gnawed at her ears. She gripped the sheets tightly, her knuckles turning white, her breath quickening as panic began to rise within her.
Then, the pendant that Hannah had given her- now resting around her neck-suddenly glowed with a blinding golden light.
The light surged from the pendant, driving the malicious voice away, and with it, the oppressive feeling in the room lifted. The pendant settled back into a quiet, normal state, resting peacefully against her skin.
Odalys sighed, her body tense with the remnants of the nightmare. She fell into a deeper, more peaceful sleep, the nightmare now behind her.
The next morning, the sunlight streaming through the large window warmed her face. She groaned softly, shielding her eyes with her hand as she woke.
“Mm…” she murmured, stretching lazily as she blinked against the sunlight, her mind still fuzzy from sleep.
She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling. The calmness of the room was a sharp contrast to the unsettling dream she had just endured. Odalys let out a muffled groan as her body stiffened when she turned over. The voice from last night echoed relentlessly in her ears, and she suddenly shot up from the bed. Her hand instinctively went to the necklace around her neck.
It was a gift from her master when she returned to the Bennett family. After she came back and saw how Hannah was trapped by negative energy, she had handed it to her, hoping it would ward off the calamity. But Hannah had been dismissive of the necklace, completely uninterested. And when the rift between them deepened, Hannah had treated her coldly, so when Odalys left the Bennett family, she snatched the necklace back.
It was unnervingly warm, almost burning her skin.
“So they really tried to summon my soul while I was asleep?” she mused darkly, wiping away the sweat that had beaded on her forehead. “Such a petty trick… but they’re still no match for me.”
Even if they had succeeded in pulling her soul out of her body, she could have dealt with them. What truly irked her, though, was the audacity to disturb her sleep. That was unforgivable.
She rubbed the pendant, feeling its temperature gradually return to normal. With a final sigh, she got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to freshen up.
Afterward, she dressed in a simple, light gray dress, choosing comfort over anything else. She grabbed her canvas bag and slipped into her sneakers, heading downstairs.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, the delicious smell of breakfast hit her senses. She hurried down the stairs, where she found Evander busy cooking.
“Good morning, Mrs. Stewart! You’re up early!” Dorian greeted her with a wide grin. “Let me go get Mr. Stewart for breakfast!”
Just then, Percival walked into the kitchen, his face flushed from a run. He was still on the phone, speaking in low tones.
“Mm, got it,” he muttered, before ending the call. He gave Odalys a brief, casual glance, noting her energized appearance. She was smiling, her eyes bright and alert.
“Good morning,” she greeted him, her tone easy. He smiled back, noting her vibrant energy compared to the night before. He didn’t comment, just letting the moment pass as he went to the counter and set down some fresh fruit.
“I might need to head out for a business trip later,” Percival said, glancing at her as he poured himself some coffee.
Odalys froze for a moment, her bite of apple pausing mid-air. “A business trip?” she repeated, frowning slightly. “What’s going on? I thought everything was settled. You don’t need to go anywhere, do you?”
Most of their out-of-town matters were handled by Callum. Percival never had to go on urgent trips like this. So what was so pressing now? “It’s about the old Simpson family estate,” Percival explained briefly. “I don’t trust Callum to handle it alone, and
I’d rather deal with it myself.” Odalys didn’t reply, though she furrowed her brow in quiet thought, her eyes drifting back to the plate of fruit in front of her.
Evander had prepared breakfast, and Dorian brought the dishes to the table, calling out to them, “Come, try the pasta I made today.”
“This morning, Dorian and I made this pasta together,” Evander said with a cheerful grin. “I made a handmade pasta with sour soup beef. Come try it, see if my skills are still up to par.” The breakfast was simple, just beef-infused tomato soup, with some mushrooms and other vegetables, topped off with the handmade pasta. Though it was humble, the aroma filled the room.
“Add your own beef,” Evander said, bringing a platter of beef to the table.
Dorian brought over a couple of side dishes, and they all sat together at the table, rare as it was. Percival occasionally chatted with Evander about business matters, while Odalys sat lost in thought, her eyes focused on Percival’s complexion, saying nothing.
After finishing their breakfast, Odalys suddenly rushed upstairs. By the time she returned, Percival was about to leave. She quickly followed him down the hallway.
“Percival,” Odalys called out, her voice urgent.
She reached for his pocket, then said softly,” Come back early.”
Chapter 415
“Alright.” Percival gave a slight nod and walked briskly out of the house, Callum following closely behind with a stack of documents.
The two moved quickly, their pace urgent.
Several bodyguards trailed behind, and three luxury cars sped off toward the main road, their engines roaring.
Odalys stood there, her eyes fixed on the disappearing cars. For a long time, she stood unmoving, her mind somewhere far away. “Are you worried about him?” Evander’s voice came from behind her, low and calm.
She hadn’t heard him approach, but now he was standing beside her, following her gaze. Percival’ s car was a small dot in the distance, soon lost to the horizon. Evander slowly turned his head, his eyes thoughtful.
“He didn’t look well last night. I suspect he’s been consulting with Orson, looking for drugs to suppress his pulse. His pulse seems normal, but in reality, his body is deteriorating rapidly. I need to find the right herbs quickly, or the poison I sealed in his body will resurface, and next time, it might kill him,” Odalys explained, her voice calm, as if she were discussing something trivial.
But Evander could hear the worry hidden beneath her composed tone. She wasn’t as unconcerned as she seemed.
“Do you need me to help with finding the herbs?” Evander asked after a brief pause. “Or is there anything I can do to assist you?”
Odalys shook her head, her expression serious.
“No. I’ve already found someone who can help. But you, Evander, need to stay put. Don’t go anywhere, not even for a short trip. If anyone asks, refuse them. No exceptions.” Her voice was firm, her eyes locking with his.
Dorian, who had been quietly listening from a distance, seemed to shrink back slightly, a sense of unease filling him.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Stewart. I’ll make sure Evander stays home. No outside contact. I’ll keep a close watch on him,” Dorian quickly assured her.
Evander sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t need monitoring. I’ve already been cutting down on socializing. I’m not seeing anyone and won’t be going anywhere.”
“Good.” Odalys’ shoulders relaxed, and the tension in her chest slowly faded.
She grabbed her canvas bag and headed toward the door. Without another word, she stepped into the car and drove off. Her mind raced with thoughts of last night’s negative energy at the Bennett Villa and the energy field at the Simpson Villa.
Her phone vibrated, breaking her from her thoughts.
Looking at the unfamiliar number on the screen, she didn’t hesitate-she immediately hung up. It was a call she didn’t need to answer, one she knew was from someone within the Bennett family.
The Bennett family was in turmoil, their internal affairs a mess. The only reason they’d contact her now was either to beg for help from the Stewart family or to manipulate her in some way -emotional blackmail, draining her for what little she had left.
But she wasn’t the same woman anymore. The Bennett family, and everything that came with it, had no place in her life. If every last one of them were to perish, she wouldn’t lose a second of sleep. She wouldn’t lift a finger to help. Her foot slammed down on the accelerator, her anger boiling over as she passed a sharp corner. A car came out of nowhere, and she barely managed to jerk the wheel in time, swerving and slamming the brakes.
The tires screeched, and the Mercedes came to a halt by the side of the road.
She turned her head, her gaze locking onto Henry, who was stumbling toward her in an unkempt state, his face swollen and bearing the marks of exhaustion. Two dark circles under his eyes, he limped toward her with a grimace.
Odalys didn’t say a word. She opened the car door and stepped out, her movement swift and decisive. She took one step forward and kicked him hard in the stomach.
“Henry, are you out of your mind? Is it because I didn’t beat you hard enough last time? You’re itching for another round?” Odalys’ voice was sharp, laced with fury.
Henry barely reacted to the kick. It was as if he were too numb to feel it.
Only after she finished yelling at him did he look up at her, his gaze complicated. His lips trembled before he spoke, his voice strained, ” You have a way to save me, don’t you?”
“You left the Bennett family because you knew it was going down, didn’t you? You left in a hurry because you saw the signs, right?”
Henry continued, his words rapid. “Now, look at us. Everyone in the Bennett family is in trouble. None of us are untouched. Except for you. You knew this would happen, but you didn’t warn us. Why? We’re family, Odalys. Even if I treated you poorly before, isn’t saving a life a good deed?” He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said, “I’m giving you a chance to save me. Just this one time. Help me, and you’ll have a debt to collect.” His voice was almost demanding, as though it were a privilege for her to be offered the opportunity.
Odalys was so infuriated that she almost laughed. She couldn’t help herself, shaking her head in disbelief. The audacity of this man was beyond words.
“I’m sorry,” she said coldly, her voice cutting through the air like ice. “I don’t need any such opportunities.”
Henry wasn’t ready to give up. He saw her turn to leave, and in a flash, he stepped around, blocking her path.
“Wait!” he called out desperately. “You saved Caspian last night, didn’t you? So you can’t just stand by and let us all fall apart. If you’re willing to help him, why not help us? We’re family!” He swallowed hard, his voice tinged with suspicion. “Edie married me, and now she’s part of the Bennett family. But I have doubts. I think she’s got ulterior motives. I think she’s trying to harm us.”
Odalys couldn’t help but laugh again, her expression one of disbelief.
“Really, Henry? Do you even hear yourself?” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re the one who used her to get into the Stewart family’s good graces. You thought she’d open doors for you, but she’s failed. Now, the Bennett family is in chaos, and you’re looking for someone to blame.”
She met his eyes with a sharp gaze. “You can’t even get into the Simpson family, and now you’re regretting your quick marriage, suspecting she’s using you? Funny how that works.”
“You’re the one who’s been using her from the start,” she continued, her voice growing colder.” You’ve been playing your own game. Just like when you tried to ruin me on the internet. If it weren’t for my luck, you would’ve succeeded. I should’ve been buried in online harassment, and you would’ve been the reason. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re selfish, Henry. You’re unworthy of any help. Don’t even think about asking for my mercy. You were the one who pushed me to the edge, and now you think I owe you something?”
Henry opened his mouth, but Odalys wasn’t done.
Henry’s face twisted with anger. “Odalys!” he shouted, his patience finally snapping. He charged at her, reaching out to grab her arm.
But Odalys reacted faster. She lifted her foot and slammed it into his stomach with all her strength. There was a sickening thud as his body flew backward, crashing into a nearby tree.
There was a sickening thud as his body flew backward, crashing into a nearby tree. Henry staggered, gasping for breath, his chest heaving. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his ribs.
Chapter 416
Henry was writhing in pain, his body feeling like it was falling apart. His hand instinctively pressed against his stomach, and he looked up at Odalys in disbelief, only to meet her cold, indifferent gaze.
“I told you before-stay out of my way, or I’ll kill you. I’m not a Bennett, and I have nothing to do with the Bennett family. Your mess is your own problem. It has nothing to do with me.” Odalys’ voice was flat, devoid of any hint of sympathy. Seeing Henry kneeling in agony on the ground, she felt nothing but contempt. Men like him- hypocrites-she had seen far too many.
“Since you’re so intent on this, then give me back the necklace. It was something you gave to Mom before. Once something is given, it’s not something you take back,” Odalys said coldly. Henry’s eyes locked onto the necklace around her neck, his gaze intense. Memories of the past flooded his mind.
He remembered Odalys mentioning that the necklace had been given to her by her master. It was said to have spiritual energy, something that could keep a person safe. When she gave it to Hannah, she’d told her that it would protect her from harm, and from that moment, everything had seemed to go smoothly for her.
But after Odalys took the necklace back, Hannah fell and was crushed by a chandelier; her luck had been in freefall ever since.
“Now, Henry couldn’t help but fixate on the emerald pendant. The intricate patterns carved into it sparked a bold thought in his mind. Perhaps this necklace was indeed something extraordinary-otherwise, why would Odalys keep it so close?
With a sneer, Odalys spoke. “You really have no shame. This necklace was a gift from my master. Even if I said I gave it to her, it’s still mine. Who do you think you are, asking for it back? Would you even dare to take it if I gave it to you? Henry, you know, things that don’t belong to you-taking them could kill you. So, do you dare accept it?”
Her voice was chilling, every word sharp with a dangerous edge. She stared at him with a gleam of amusement in her eyes, mocking him.
Henry, despite his pain, felt a surge of greed claw at his insides. He was desperate, his voice tight with urgency. “I want it. Just give it to me, and I won’t bother you again.”
Odalys gave him a cryptic smile, a strange gleam in her eye.
Slowly, she reached up and unlatched the necklace from around her neck. She swayed it in front of him, watching as his eyes followed it hungrily, as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
Without a second thought, Henry lunged forward, trying to grab the necklace from her hand. But before he could touch it, something from above suddenly slithered down the tree. A small snake, its eyes gleaming with malice, shot toward him, flicking its tongue at him.
Henry froze, his eyes wide in disbelief, his nose twitching with a sharp pain. He stared at the creature, unable to comprehend what was happening. The snake was charging at him. Before he could react, the snake lifted its tail and-wham-slapped him hard across the face. Henry screamed in agony, stumbling back and falling to the ground.
The snake landed gracefully, its tail planted firmly on the ground, its head raised, eyes locked on Henry as it flicked its tongue in his direction. It seemed to be teasing him, as if daring him to make a move.
“S-snake!” Henry stammered, his voice cracking in panic. “How… how is there a snake?!”
The confidence he had earlier vanished in an instant, replaced by pure terror.
He stumbled backward, clutching his nose, feeling the blood trickling from it. Odalys stood there, arms crossed, watching him with a smirk that made his blood run cold.
In that moment, it dawned on him-Odalys had known about the snake. But how had she known it would be there? And why was the snake targeting him, not her?
The little creature hissed again, flicking its tongue, clearly preparing to strike again.
Henry, shaking with fear, slowly crawled away. His face burned with the sting of the snake’s tail, the pain far worse than what he’d felt when Edie’ s people had attacked him. That was nothing compared to this.
“A-a-are you keeping this snake as a pet?!” he demanded, his voice trembling with rage and fear. “I’m your brother! How could you do this to me?! Are you enjoying watching me suffer like this?”
His frustration boiled over, all his plans of emotional manipulation now completely falling apart.
He had thought playing the victim would soften Odalys, but now she only seemed to enjoy his misery.
“How did you get here?” Odalys stepped forward. She reached out and flicked the little snake on its forehead. The moment it was flicked, the snake obediently landed in her palm with a soft” plop,” curling up into a ball and resting there. “I thought you left,” Odalys murmured.
Last night, it had swiftly slithered into the grass, and she thought after its revenge, it would return to the mountain village. But to her surprise, it reappeared here. She was shocked when she first saw it.
The little snake shook its head at her, and Henry stared at the scene in disbelief. He couldn’t believe she was actually talking to a snake. What was more baffling was that the snake was lying calmly in her palm without biting her.
Henry clutched his stomach, struggling to get up. His eyes were locked on Odalys, but he dared not approach her. His hands clenched into fists, full of hatred and anger.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you want my necklace?” Odalys asked coldly, looking at him.
Seeing the venom in Henry’s eyes, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled mockingly.
The Bennett family’s tricks were transparent to her now. She would never fall for them.
“And by the way,” Odalys suddenly added, “I just texted Edie. She should be here soon.”
As soon as she mentioned Edie, Henry’s expression changed. The excitement he had felt for Edie earlier was now gone.
Thinking of her aging face, he had been startled awake from a nightmare last night. He couldn’t believe how much older she looked without makeup. It was terrifying.
“You-Odaly, are you trying to kill me?” Henry growled, his anger flaring up.
He didn’t know if she was serious or not, but a sense of dread began to bubble up inside him. Edie was a madwoman, so was Odalys, and even Sophia-none of these women were normal. What a damn unlucky situation he was in.
“Didn’t you bring this upon yourself?” Odalys replied, her voice icy. “I figured you and your wife must be newlyweds, all lovey-dovey. Isn’t it for your own good that I’ve called her over?”
She stepped closer, her eyes glinting. “Otherwise, what were you planning to do, stay here and rage at me? Trying to morally blackmail me and use me against her?”
She chuckled dryly. “Too bad for you. When you got married, you couldn’t even get a proper deal from Percival, and you think you can get anything from me? The most I’ll give you is a slap. Nothing more.”
Her calm demeanor made Henry even more enraged.
He stood there, his lips moving, but before he could respond, the sound of high heels clicking sharply against the floor behind him made his body freeze. He looked down at the shadow cast on the ground.
A figure was walking toward him from behind, stopping right next to him.
“Damn it,” Henry cursed under his breath, his hand trembling involuntarily.
Chapter 417
Henry lifted his hand, intent on slapping Edie across the face.
But before he could move, someone behind him was faster. A hand clamped down on his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his body. As he opened his mouth to shout, another hand swiftly covered his nose and mouth, cutting off his breath.
He struggled, his hands clawing at the stranger’s arm, trying to twist around and see who it was. But before he could manage, another sharp blow to his neck sent a wave of searing pain and suffocating pressure over him.
His vision blurred, and with one final, painful kick to his stomach, Henry slowly crumpled to the ground. Just before his consciousness fully slipped away, the familiar scent of perfume hit his nose. It was strong and heady, unmistakable -it was Edie’s signature fragrance.
“You filthy bastard,” he cursed inwardly, but darkness overtook him before he could even finish the thought.
Freya stood nearby, holding a bottle of perfume in her hand, and sprayed it liberally over Henry’s body.
“Are you serious? If you spray any more, we might as well pickle him,” Selah said in a panic, grabbing Freya’s wrist to stop her.
Freya paused, but her grin lingered. “It’s not about overdoing it-it’s to make sure he believes Edie was the one who knocked him out. Lucky for us, I remember her signature perfume. I snatched a bottle from her last time, never thought it would come in handy like this.” Odalys, standing beside them, couldn’t help but suppress a laugh. She knew Freya had a playful streak, but this-this was next-level mischief.
Earlier, when she saw Henry, an idea had immediately come to mind. She’d texted Freya without a second thought. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d come, though-after all, Freya had just joined the crew yesterday. With rehearsals, she had no time to spare.
Still, luck was on their side. As Odalys fastened the little snake around her waist as a belt, she smiled. It was surreal-this was definitely not a plan she had expected to be carrying out with a snake wrapped around her waist.
The snake was confused, its body coiling and recoiling, but it seemed to submit to her. After a few wobbly moments, it settled against her, its beady eyes wide with curiosity.
“Stay still, don’t scare anyone,” Odalys murmured softly, warning it with a playful edge.
The little creature complied, although it was clear that it was far more interested in the world around it. For the first time, it had wrapped itself around a woman’s waist, and there was a certain novelty to it.
Freya chuckled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “You can’t just keep spraying like that; it’s too obvious. What if he wakes up and starts suspecting something?”
Freya’s logic clicked in Selah’s mind, and she immediately agreed. “Alright, alright. I’ll put it away. I’m not wasting such a precious bottle.” She tucked the perfume back into her bag, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “What now, though? We’ve knocked him out. We can’t just leave him here.”
Odalys gave them a knowing look, her lips curling into a confident smile. “I only told you to make him believe it was Edie who did this, but I didn’t say what to do next. You’re the ones who need to figure that out.”
Freya’s eyes lit up, a mischievous gleam flashing in them. She leaned in, speaking in a hushed voice, “What if we take him to the hospital? Sophia’s still there, recovering from her injuries, right?”
A wicked smile spread across her face. “If Sophia’s sleeping with Windsor, imagine the chaos when Henry wakes up in her hospital bed. Father and son fighting over her-oh, I can’t even imagine how messy that will be.”
Selah’s eyes widened, and she began to get excited. “Then we strip him down, send a message to Hannah, and make sure she sees her husband and son fighting in front of Sophia. Oh, that’ll drive her crazy, especially since she’s such a viper.”
Freya was already rubbing her hands together in excitement. “And then, we have the reporters flood in. We force Edie to come and claim him- imagine the scandal when she has to face the reality of her rushed marriage to Henry. She won’ t want anyone to know about her affair with him, even if it’s a fake marriage.”
The excitement in Freya’s voice was infectious, and Selah couldn’t help but feel a sense of exhilaration at the thought. “By the time we’re done, the Bennett family will be in complete chaos. We’ll stir up a storm they’ll never recover from.”
The young Freya, at just twenty-three, was practically vibrating with excitement.
She had received a call from Percival earlier, informing her that he would be out of town for a few days and that she was to look after Odalys in his absence. While it seemed a bit off, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
Percival had never trusted her this much before. Normally, he would glare at her with jealousy. But this time, he had entrusted Odalys to her care. That made Freya feel like she had a mission-she had to make sure Odalys came out on top, no matter what.
Odalys couldn’t listen to them plan any longer. The conversation was getting more elaborate by the second, and she had to step in. “Alright, enough. I’m going to stop you two before you write the entire script for the next show.”
She was genuinely worried that if they kept going, they would make up a whole series of events in their heads, turning their imagination into a complete, elaborate plot.
Freya didn’t miss a beat. “What do you think? Is this plan good? I mean, we’re free tonight-we don’t have any scenes until late, so we have plenty of time.”
Her voice was filled with malice as she imagined Edie’s reaction. “After everything Edie did to me, I’m loving the idea of getting back at her through Henry. It’s the perfect revenge.”
Odalys gave her a sly smile. “You’re right. Let Henry be the bait to lure Edie in. We’ll stir up their conflicts and make them turn on each other. It’ll push Henry to finally start questioning Edie’s loyalty.”
Freya’s grin grew wider. “Exactly. Let’s make her regret every single thing she did to me.”
Selah was a little quieter, her attention now fixed on something unusual.
She had been staring at Odalys’ waist, where the little snake had wrapped itself, and thought she had imagined it blinking at her. But when she looked again, she could’ve sworn the snake had really opened its eyes and looked directly at her.
Freya turned around and noticed her friend’s odd behavior. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you standing there looking all dazed?”
Freya noticed Selah standing there in a daze, her eyes fixed on Odalys. She followed Selah’s gaze and saw the unusual accessory around Odalys’s waist. Confused, she stepped forward, squinting at the small snake and watching it intently for a few seconds.
“Odalys, where did you get this belt? When did you start liking snakes? This ornament is so lifelike-what brand is it from?” Freya asked as she reached out to touch it.
She ran her fingers over the accessory, but to her surprise, it was warm to the touch. Even more oddly, there was a faint pulsing sensation, almost as if it were alive, just like a real snake.
Before she could examine it further, the snake’s tail suddenly flicked out with lightning speed, swiping her hand away. The force of the strike left a red mark on the back of Freya’s hand, the sting leaving her fingers numb.
“Is this… is this thing real?” Freya’s voice was shaky, a little freaked out.
She took another step back, but the snake’s head lifted slightly, eyes narrowing as if it had some mind of its own. Selah froze, a cold chill creeping down her spine. “That… can’t be real. It just moved.”
Freya backed up slowly, her face turning pale.” Odalys… tell me this isn’t real.”
Chapter 418
As they spoke, the little snake lazily opened its eyes, glancing over at Freya and Selah. It flicked its tongue at them, then began wriggling on Odalys’ waist, causing a commotion.
“Ah, it’s real! And it looks just like a giant python!” Selah screamed in shock.
Freya, who had a bit more courage, stared back at the snake, eye to eye.
“Not just ‘like’ one,” she said, her voice a little shaky. “It’s practically identical. Could it be… the same one that bit Rafael’s ass last night?” The memory of that gruesome scene flooded her mind.
“She saw the snake slithering up Rafael’s pant leg, heard him scream in agony as blood poured from his leg. When he looked down, part of his flesh had been torn away, and the snake had still been hanging from him, flinging its tail at his face.
Freya grimaced at the vivid memory. It was something she would never be able to forget.
“Wait… could it be that one? How did it end up on Odalys’ waist?” Selah stepped back, looking visibly repulsed.
Despite the snake’s harmlessness, the mere presence of it made her skin crawl.
Odalys glanced down at the creature, unamused.
“I told you not to cause trouble. You’re scaring people now. Fine, do your thing. Go off and amuse yourself,” she muttered, undoing the snake from her waist.
With a swift flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the air. But instead of falling away, the snake made a sharp turn midair.
It shot straight at Freya, wrapping around her face. Freya gasped, and before she could react, it jumped to Selah’s neck, coiling tightly around her throat before rubbing its tail against her lips. Before either of them could even scream, the snake whooshed away with a hiss, darting up into a tree, disappearing from sight.
“Ah! Did it just-did it just… flirt with me?” Selah wiped her lips frantically, her eyes wide in disbelief. She felt the distinct, slippery sensation of the snake’s tail against her mouth and shuddered. “It rubbed against my lips! I… I can’t believe this is happening!”
Her hand went to her neck where the snake had coiled around her. The feeling of its body tightening around her throat had sent a chill of terror through her. It was so tight, she genuinely thought it might be the end.
“And-and it sat on my face!” Freya exclaimed, completely stunned. “What just happened? Was that a snake sitting on my face?”
Her eyes were wide with a mix of horror and disbelief. It was the first time she’d ever been flirted” with by a snake, and the experience was… overwhelming to say the least.
“It’s harmless,” Odalys said, her voice calm as she shrugged. She reached over to gently reassure them, but Selah and Freya were still visibly shaken.
“Seriously, though, how did that snake end up here?” Selah asked, her voice tinged with curiosity but still shaking a little from the encounter.
Odalys nodded, her gaze a bit distant. “It’s odd, isn’t it? I’m not sure why it’s here. Snakes usually prefer the wild, right? That mountain village-it’s ideal snake territory. So why did it come here? Could it be… it came for Rafael?”
She turned to Freya, who was still wiping her face, and added, “Maybe it’s just after him. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s targeting him specifically.”
“I have no idea,” Odalys admitted, “but if this snake came looking for me, then it likely sensed something… maybe the giant python realized that if anything happens to it, it might not be able to protect its little one, so it sent it to me.” Odalys paused, her face thoughtful. “The giant python might be aware that something is wrong. It might be sensing danger.”
Selah, still trying to make sense of it, asked, “So what do we do? The giant python is so smart. If anyone tries to harm it, should we help it? I mean, we’ve all dealt with it before, right? We know it doesn’t hurt people.”
Freya nodded, eyes gleaming with concern. Yeah, if it’s in danger, we should help. It’s never hurt anyone, and we owe it to the creature to protect it if it’s in trouble.”
Odalys shook her head gently. “For now, there’s nothing to worry about. The real issue is Henry. We need to get him out of here, and then we’ll have to bring Edie into the picture. We need to make sure their conflict escalates.”
With renewed determination, Selah and Freya quickly dragged Henry away. One grabbed his legs, the other his neck, and together they lifted him toward the nearby car.
Freya pressed the key fob, and the trunk popped open with a soft click.
In one swift move, they threw Henry into the trunk. There was a loud thud as his body landed unceremoniously. But, as his body hung partially out of the trunk, Selah gave his rear a swift kick to shove him in completely.
The sound of her kick echoed as Henry was fully shoved inside, and Freya slammed the trunk closed.
As they turned to walk away, they noticed Odalys standing there, wide-eyed, her mouth slightly agape as she watched the scene unfold.
Freya immediately tried to explain, “It’s not what you think! Honestly, we’re very refined-usually. But, you know, we had to act quickly. We didn’t want anyone seeing us.”
Selah, a little embarrassed, awkwardly adjusted her hair. “Yeah, I… I may have used more strength than necessary. Now I’m wiped out.” Odalys let out a light laugh, her expression filled with affection for her mischievous friends. Alright, alright. Don’t act all innocent now. You just wanted some excitement, didn’t you? Anyway, like you said, let’s get him to Sophia’s room.”
Selah and Freya beamed with excitement, eager to see their plan unfold. Who could have imagined that an otherwise boring morning would turn into something so thrilling?
Meanwhile, they couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for Stellan and Francis, who had already arrived at the set that morning. They had to shoot a complicated battle scene-a horseback fight followed by an explosive war sequence-so there was no room for fun for them today.
The two women smiled at the thought of teasing them later. They had a little surprise waiting for Stellan and Francis when they arrived at the set tonight.
“Let’s go,” Freya said, giving a casual wave of her hand.
Selah slid into the passenger seat, and they sped off toward the hospital.
Odalys followed closely behind, a fond smile on her lips as she watched Freya take the wheel. Freya followed closely behind in her car, making sure to stay hidden in the shadows as she arrived at Central Hospital. The hospital, a subsidiary of the Lark Group, was the epicenter for all the healthcare facilities in Crownridge, and everything here belonged to the Lark family. The moment Odalys’s car arrived, the staff at the hospital recognized the license plate number instantly. They opened VIP access, letting her car park in a reserved spot, and as soon as she got out, they were ushered straight to the elevator.
“Odalys, what brings you here all of a sudden?” Orson, panting heavily, ran over to them. He was still wearing his white coat, pushing up his gold- rimmed glasses, but with a pair of beach shorts and flip-flops that hadn’t been swapped out yet.
“Orson, come help us,” Freya called out as she opened the trunk.
She and Selah struggled to pull Henry out of the trunk, but it seemed he was stuck, wedged awkwardly in there. Upon seeing Orson, they immediately waved him over for help.
Orson stood frozen, staring at the figure in the trunk. His body stiffened, and his lips trembled slightly as he stammered, “You… killed him?” “Hold on, I’ll find something to dig a hole,” Orson mumbled, his voice shaky. Despite the panic, he seemed more concerned about keeping the situation secret. If they’d really done something criminal, he wasn’t about to snitch.
“Come back here. He’s not dead, we just knocked him out,” Freya hurriedly rushed over and grabbed Orson’s arm, forcefully pulling him back.
As they managed to flip Henry over, Selah revealed his face. Orson looked down at him in surprise, recognition dawning on him as he stared at Henry for several long seconds.
“How did you end up with Henry?” Orson asked, his voice a mix of shock and curiosity.
Chapter 419
Orson was dumbfounded. He didn’t even hesitate. Quickly, he yanked off his white coat and draped it over Henry’s face, standing there, unsure of what to do next. He glanced at Odalys, his expression serious.
“Odalys, are we… are we going to kill him?” Orson asked, his voice low, his mind running through various scenarios.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of trouble, but if they were really going to take someone’s life, he didn’ t want Odalys to be involved. She was Percival’s person.
Plus, she came from a theological background. If she got her hands dirty with blood, it could mess with her spiritual journey. If anyone was going to take responsibility for this, it had to be him.
Odalys looked at him, seeing the bloody scene playing out in his mind.
She didn’t respond immediately.
Freya and Selah, meanwhile, had managed to drag Henry’s body out of the car and onto the ground with a thud. He groaned softly in his unconscious state.
“We’re not here to kill anyone,” Odalys finally spoke, shaking her head. “We just need to get him into Sophia’s room to stir things up between the Bennetts. I want to see how much Hannah can tolerate with Sophia in the picture.
“If Windsor is willing to divorce her for Sophia’s sake, she might take it. But if she can still tolerate Henry in Sophia’s room, then we have a deeper problem on our hands. From the moment Hannah took Sophia in, there’s been something off.
“The Bennetts’ villa is a mess, yet none of them seem to want to kick her out. Don’t you think there’s something strange about that?”
Orson remained silent, absorbing her words. He stood there, wearing his casual beachwear- a T-shirt, beach shorts, and slippers-completely out of place as the heir to a prestigious family. His relaxed appearance contrasted sharply with the gravity of the situation.
“I’ve suspected it for a while, too,” Odalys continued, her tone thoughtful. “Percival and I both wondered what’s really going on with Sophia. Who’s been pulling the strings behind the scenes? Despite everything that’s happened, Sophia’s status in the Bennet family is still unshaken.”
“She paused for a moment. “The Bennetts used to dote on her in a way that made sense, but now, even though their logic has shifted, they’re still incredibly tolerant of her. There’s no way a normal family would just give up their own flesh and blood to adopt some other kid. I did a DNA test for them a while back, and it turns out Sophia isn’t Windsor and Hannah’s biological daughter.” Orson’s eyes widened. “So there’s no blood relation at all?”
“Exactly. A stranger could never have convinced them to abandon their own child, which doesn’t add up,” Odalys concluded. “Sophia may not be the key, but provoking a rift between the Bennetts is the only way to figure out what’s truly going on. We need to expose their motives.” Orson nodded in agreement. “Right. We have to bring the conflict to the surface so we can understand the Bennetts’ true intentions.”
By the time they finished speaking, Freya and Selah had already dragged Henry into the elevator.
“What are you two talking about?” Freya called out, slightly out of breath. “Get in here, now!” Selah, nervously pressing the elevator button, added, “Hurry up, or he’s going to wake up soon!” Orson and Odalys exchanged a quick glance before stepping into the elevator. Inside, the four of them stood in awkward silence, not knowing where to look. Selah edged closer to Odalys and whispered, “Odalys, do you think the elevator has security cameras?”
Her voice was filled with the tension of someone who had never done anything like this before. Kidnapping and knocking someone unconscious for the first time was a whole new level of crime. She wasn’t sure if she could handle the consequences if they got caught.
“The hospital belongs to his family,” Odalys replied calmly, glancing at Orson.
Selah’s eyes widened in surprise. “His family owns the hospital?” She looked back at Orson, incredulous. As far as she knew, the hospital was part of the Lark Group’s empire.
“This is my business card,” Orson said, handing it to her with a serious expression. “If you ever need to be hospitalized, just use the VIP channel.” Selah stared at the card but quickly swatted it away. “Who needs to go to the hospital? You’re the one who needs a doctor. I’m perfectly healthy,” she retorted with a smirk. “I’m the Goddess of Health.”
Orson’s hand was left hanging in the air, his eyes locked on her in silence.
Freya, watching the exchange, couldn’t resist a laugh. She leaned against the wall, giving Orson a teasing look.
“Mr. Lark, first time being rejected by a woman?” she teased with a grin.
Freya, being the adopted daughter of the Stewart family, knew Orson well. While they didn’ t interact often, they had a mutual respect due to Percival’s influence. Orson had always treated her with kindness, but now she couldn’t resist having a little fun at his expense.
“How’s it feel, Orson?” she teased. “Did you think your childhood bedwetting was a secret you could bury forever?”
The words hit like a bomb.
Freya froze.
She was expecting to tease Orson, but instead, he had flipped it on her, and now she was left speechless.
“You!” she spluttered, her face turning bright red. “Who said I wet the bed? That’s ridiculous!”
She looked at Selah and Odalys, hoping they hadn’t heard. To her relief, they seemed oblivious to the exchange. Freya quietly exhaled, but Odalys and Selah were barely holding in their laughter.
“She’s from the Stewart family?” Selah asked in a whisper, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
The previous night, Freya had taken them to the Stewart villa for Odalys’s surprise birthday celebration.
They had been silent when they were stopped at the gate by security. They had always known Freya had powerful connections, but it never occurred to them that those connections were linked to the Stewart family.
Now, hearing Orson’s words, it made sense. The
Stewart family was a powerful force, and Freya’s relationship with Orson confirmed that she wasn’t just Percival’s ally-she had her own power.
“Yes,” Odalys answered softly.
Selah gasped, her eyes flicking between the two women. She realized they had never flaunted their backgrounds, but now she understood just how dangerous they could be.
“Selah, help me out,” Freya called, tugging Henry toward the door.
Before Selah could react, Orson swung Henry effortlessly onto his shoulder and began marching down the hallway, his steps echoing in the empty corridor. Clearly, Orson had taken the liberty of clearing the floor in advance.
With a powerful kick, Orson slammed the door to Sophia’s room open, tossing Henry onto the bed with a thud. Freya and Selah quickly followed, ripping Henry’s clothes off in preparation.
Once they finished, they slipped out of the room. “Who’s there?” Sophia, who had just emerged from the bathroom, heard the noise and froze. Her mind raced as she recalled the threats from Finnian and Windsor the night before. Her legs were still sore from Windsor’s advances, and now this new disturbance made her heart race.
She quickly pulled up her pants and rushed out of the bathroom.
What she saw when she entered her room shocked her. Henry lay on her bed, his clothes scattered on the floor.
“Henry?” Sophia gasped, unable to process what had just happened.
She had never expected Henry to show up. Her small hands clenched into fists as she walked closer, her eyes narrowing in disbelief.
Then, her gaze softened, and she smiled with excitement, her eyes glowing as she stared at Henry’s handsome face. The thrill in her heart was almost overwhelming.
Chapter 420
Sophia leaned over Henry, pressing both hands on the edge of the bed as she stared at his face. Her fingers gently tilted his chin up, and then she lowered her head, taking a deliberate sniff near him.
“Henry,” she purred, her voice dripping with arrogance, “you’re so eager to come to me, yet you still smell of Edie’s perfume. Looks like that old woman means nothing to you after all.”
Her fingers slid slowly down Henry’s neck, trailing over his chest. Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and with a sharp, deliberate motion, she pressed down hard.
Henry flinched at the sharp pain, struggling for a moment before snapping his eyes open. His gaze collided with Sophia’s, and his lips parted in a hoarse gasp.
“You…” Henry groaned in disbelief.
His mind was a whirlpool of confusion.
The last thing he remembered was hearing high heels clicking behind him, and then Edie had appeared, enveloping him in her scent before he’ d lost consciousness. Now, to his shock, he found himself on Sophia’s bed.
The thought of what she and Windsor had done made his stomach churn with disgust.
“Sophia,” he spat through gritted teeth, “what are you trying to do? You used to seduce me, now you’re sleeping with my father, and now you want to turn your attention to me?”
He never imagined Sophia would actually lay her hands on him. Couldn’t she do anything but seduce men?
If he’d known back then what kind of woman she really was, he would’ve used her to tie down some of their clients. The Bennett Group would never have ended up in the mess it was in now. Sophia laughed dismissively. “Who wants to seduce you, Henry? You think too highly of yourself. Edie’s old and dirty; why would I want someone like you? But I have to admit, you’re in good shape… How about giving me some of your heart’s blood?”
She smiled seductively, her charm radiating off her.
Henry looked at her, stunned by the transformation. The innocent girl he’d once known seemed a world apart from this woman who now smirked at him with such dangerous allure.
He couldn’t believe his ears. She wanted his blood? The weight of her words sank into his gut like lead.
“What are you talking about?” Henry shot back, his voice laced with disbelief. “I swear, if you try anything, I’ll make sure you never step foot in the Bennett family again.”
Sophia didn’t flinch at his threat. Instead, she leaned forward, her hands pushing into his shoulders as she drew herself close. Her lips hovered near his ear, and she whispered with mocking softness, “Oh, Henry, I’m so scared… Let’s see if you have the power to throw me out of the Bennett family.”
Her laughter was cold, almost deranged.
At that moment, she had nothing to lose. Her reputation was already in tatters; the Bennett family was on the verge of collapse. What could they possibly threaten her with now? The family had lost its value to her.
Henry’s blood boiled. He couldn’t believe what was happening. He stared at her, furious, but before he could react, she snatched a small fruit knife from the table and lunged at him.
With a sharp clang, Henry kicked out instinctively, sending her crashing to the floor. The knife clattered across the room.
Seizing the opportunity, Henry jumped to his feet and pounced on her, pinning her to the ground. One hand gripped her neck, while the other pressed down on her chest, his fury almost overwhelming.
“You like blood so much? Let’s see if your heart’s blood is any better,” Henry growled, his voice a dangerous rasp.
His eyes burned with anger as he reached for the knife, but before he could grab it, the door to the room was suddenly kicked open.
Several figures stormed into the room, and the sight before them froze them in place. Henry was straddling Sophia on the floor, his left hand gripping her throat, while his right was pressed against her chest.
“Henry, what are you doing?” Atlas’s voice trembled with shock.
In his eyes, Henry had always been the steady, composed one-someone who kept his distance from women and worked tirelessly for the Bennett Group. Even though Henry had just married Edie in a rush, Atlas had always seen him as a pillar of integrity. But now, he could hardly believe what he was witnessing.
“Why do you have to want Sophia?” Caspian demanded, clutching his chest as if the pain of what he was seeing might crush him. “Do you remember how Mom and Dad divorced? Are you really going to do this?”
The events of the previous night had been a nightmare for him-he’d been questioned by the police, and now this? Seeing his brother like this shattered him.
“Sophia, you dirty whore!” Hannah screamed, her eyes bulging with rage.
She saw the state Sophia was in-disheveled and on the floor-while Henry was barely dressed. Their clothing lay scattered all over the room, and it was clear to Hannah that things had gone far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
She could barely contain her fury as she glared at Henry, her voice rising in disgust. “You seduced Windsor and ruined our family, and now you’re going after Henry? Haven’t you done enough damage? What’s wrong with you? Are there no decent men left in the world, just the Bennett family for you to ruin?”
Atlas and Caspian exchanged a glance, their faces turning pale.
For the first time, they were being called weaklings by their own mother in front of others. They could only stand there, too shocked to respond.
Edie’s heels clicked as she stood at the doorway, her lips freshly painted as she took in the scene. She watched the spectacle with a strange smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Henry, really?” Edie said with a chilling laugh.” You could’ve had someone like Sophia, a piece of trash like her. You’re not even picky anymore.” She casually tucked her lipstick away and smiled, but it was cold and bitter.
Though she and Henry had no real feelings for each other, their marriage was still something of a contract. Yet Henry, married to her just the day before, had already ended up in bed with Sophia.
She had once been revered by the Stewart family, treated like royalty, but now, she was being trampled underfoot by this insignificant Bennett family.
“Edie, how dare you talk to me like that?” Sophia’ s voice rose in fury as she struggled against Henry, pushing him with all her strength. But their bodies collided with force, and for a moment, she froze in disbelief, looking down at Henry’s growing reaction.
She gasped, eyes wide in realization. ‘Henry was… reacting?’
“Henry, let me go!” Sophia’s voice broke with anger as she kicked him, trying to break free.
But no matter how hard she struggled, the more their bodies pressed together. They were nearly entangled now, and she could hear the rapid pounding of both their hearts.
“Let go of me!” Sophia’s panic intensified. She couldn’t afford to be cast out of the Bennett family. But with the family members all watching coldly from the sidelines, there was nothing she could do.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her mother, her voice faltering. “Mom, please… help me.”
Her words came out in a breathy, almost desperate tone, but to those around her, it sounded entirely different.
“Henry’s trying to force me… He’s hurting me… Mom, help!” Sophia cried, her voice full of false innocence. The words, laced with sensuality, carried a completely different meaning in the tense silence of the room.
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