Chapter 14

D

Over the years, the constant pain had been a relentless tormentor, pushing Percival closer to the brink. If not for his iron will and meager medication, he'd likely have already succumbed. He wouldn't have even made it this far. And yet, now, for the first time in a long while, he felt a wave of physical and mental relief washing over him, like a rebirth. It was as though the toxins within him were dissolving, rejuvenating his body and mind as never before.

"All set," Odalys said softly, withdrawing her hand. She turned and walked to the sink, carefully washing her hands. After a moment, she faced him again, her stance now more commanding as she assessed him.

Her eyes met his dark, intense gaze. But her eyes flickered, falling to his bare torso—his strong abs and V-line were clearly visible, with only a towel barely covering his lower body.

Odalys froze, her face flushing crimson. She quickly looked away, aware of the thick, charged atmosphere. She turned toward the door, her steps hurried, less graceful than usual.

"It's getting late, and I have to record a variety show tomorrow morning," she said quietly. "I'll head back to my room to sleep."

Just as she reached the door, Al Stewart's gravelly voice cut through the air, stopping her. "Wait."

"Huh?" She turned back, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Percival glanced at her briefly, then shifted his gaze to the coffee table. "Dorian opened a safe at the bank this afternoon," he said quietly and seriously. "Your wedding gifts are inside."

"The key and your ID are on the table," he added, his voice raspy.

P

Odalys followed his gaze to her ID and a key on the table. She quickly retrieved her ID.

"Take the key, too," Percival said without looking at her, as if anticipating her forgetfulness. "It's yours."

Odalys hesitated. She never intended to keep the gifts. She didn't want them—she simply didn't want the Bennett family to acquire them. In a month, if Percival survived, she would discuss ending their arrangement. She would return everything then. "Alright." Without further comment, she grabbed the key and headed for the door.

Inside the bathroom, Percival's eyes fell to the marks on his neck and chest. The impressions of her fingers were still visible. He felt a strange, almost electric sensation.

"So this is acupressure?" he murmured, his voice low and hoarse. He hadn't expected acupressure to address toxins.

Odalys wasn't at all what he'd imagined. He'd assumed she was a pawn sent by the Bennett family to gain access to the Stewart fortune. But she'd maintained her distance, treating him with cool professionalism, never flinching.

"Interesting," he muttered, wiping blood from his lips, donning his bathrobe, and stepping out of the tub.

As he emerged, Leng Zimo arrived hurriedly, his eyes immediately drawn to Percival's neck. He rushed forward, excitement evident on his face.

"Damn, let me see that!" Orson said with a grin, practically lunging toward Percival. He yanked at the bathrobe, revealing claw marks on his chest connecting to those on his neck.

"No way! You've got to be kidding me?" Orson exclaimed, his hands shaking with excitement.

Percival grabbed his hand, pulling it away as he tightened his robe and shot Orson a sharp look. "So, this is acupressure?"

"Hell yeah! I'm freaking amazed! You start from the chest to suppress the toxins, then move down to the neck—this is genius! Where's your wife! I need to meet her right now," Orson said, practically bouncing, eager to find Odalys.

Just as he was about to leave, Callum stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"Mr. Lark," Callum said, his voice low but serious, "you just said it yourself—she's Mrs. Stewart. Don't you think it's inappropriate to seek another man's wife at this hour?"

Chapter 14 (continued)

Orson froze. He quickly raised his hands in surrender, nodding. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. Not the best timing. I'll talk to him tomorrow. But, uh… could you speak to her for me? See if she'll teach me a few things?"

Orson was obsessed with medicine. Coming from a long line of doctors, he couldn't resist learning new techniques, especially one so promising. He wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

"She's not available right now," Percival's deep, gravelly voice interjected, abruptly silencing him.

That was like a bucket of ice water. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Before he could react, Callum slapped a hand over his mouth and pulled him from the room.

Once Orson was gone, Dorian entered, speaking quietly. "Sir, when Mrs. Stewart left earlier, the driver saw her stop at a pharmacy. But after that, she… became entangled with someone."

Percival's eyes narrowed slightly. He looked at Dorian, his expression unreadable.

"Entangled with someone?" he asked, his voice rough, tinged with suspicion. Was someone harassing her? Or did she encounter a creep? he wondered.

"Well, it seems like…" Dorian hesitated, lowering his voice further, and gave a detailed report of what happened. He handed over an iPad showing a video of the encounter.

Percival watched the footage, his gaze hardening as he saw the man's face and heard Odalys' words. His eyes grew colder than ever.

"Sir, should we handle this?" Dorian asked, his voice a whisper.

Percival returned the iPad, picked up his phone, and paused. When he spoke again, his voice was deep and calm, though the tension in the room was palpable. "No need. She can handle it herself."

He added, with a deliberate pause, "And from now on, tell the driver to stop following her. She's from the Bennett family, not some commodity we bought. This whole marriage was my grandfather's idea."

"She's part of the Stewart family now, and she deserves respect. She has her own life. Let her live it. And make sure she gets everything she needs—top-tier, no exceptions. When she returns, arrange for her to have her own car."

Dorian blinked in surprise. This was the first time Percival had given such personal, non-business-related orders. He nodded quickly, impressed by the change.

"Understood, sir," Dorian said quietly, bowing as he left with the iPad.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Odalys had returned to her quarters. She grabbed pastries, freshened up, and settled down to rest. Surprisingly, she didn't feel restless. In fact, she fell asleep almost instantly.

When her alarm rang, she stretched lazily, got ready, and slipped into a loose black T-shirt and high-waisted pants. She tied her hair in a ponytail, grabbed her bag and a small suitcase, and quickly went downstairs.

The house was eerily quiet, the servants moving about like shadows. Odalys walked quickly, ordering a ride on her phone as she headed for the door.

"Mr. Stewart," Dorian called, stepping forward as he saw her hurry.