Chapter 140

The room fell silent. Everyone loved gossip, and Sophia's flustered expression clearly indicated she had something to hide. Odalys, however, stood calmly, radiating confidence. Her composure made it obvious who was lying; no further explanation was needed.

"I haven't said anything yet," Odalys sneered. "Why are you in such a rush?"

Sophia gritted her teeth, glaring at Odalys with burning fury. She wanted nothing more than to get rid of her. “Once I get back, I’ll have my brothers deal with Odalys. I won’t let her get away with this,” she thought, her mind consumed by revenge.

"Did you all see that!" Odalys exclaimed, turning to the camera. "Sophia is guilty! She's done too many shady things, and trapping people is second nature to her. As for what she did to me tonight, should I sue her?"

[Live stream comments appear here, suggesting excitement and support for Odalys. These should be presented in a more organized, consistent way. Example: "Wow, Odalys is looking at the camera! So cool! Odalys just shut Sophia down! Go ahead, punish her! Wow, Sophia’s guilty? Looks like Odalys has some dirt on her. I’m curious. What did Sophia do when Odalys returned seven months ago? Someone, get the scoop, fast! I need all the gossip!"]

The viewers were instantly captivated. The gossip-filled atmosphere kept everyone on the edge of their seats. They stared at the screen, their eyes wide as they saw Sophia's wrist still in Rafael's grip, their bodies close together.

"I'll give you all a little hint," Odalys said with a smile.

The excited cameraman moved in closer, improving the audio quality.

[The following scene seems out of place chronologically; it should be integrated smoothly into the narrative flow. It appears to be a flashback or a prior event.]

For example, one time, in the women's restroom on set Sophia yanked her arm away from Rafael.

"Odalys, you bitch, shut your mouth!" Sophia shouted, furious.

Odalys swiftly slapped her.

Sophia was stunned, unable to believe it. She slowly turned her head, the sting on her face making it hard to comprehend what had happened. She looked at Odalys in shock.

"You slapped me? How dare you slap me?" Sophia's voice trembled. Pampered her whole life, no one had ever dared speak to her so harshly, let alone hit her.

But ever since Odalys joined the variety show, she'd been constantly tormenting Sophia, trying to ruin her reputation. Sophia couldn't take the humiliation.

Odalys spoke coldly, "Why shouldn't I slap you? You've been trying to trap me for no reason. You've been spreading lies about me. With so many people here as witnesses, even if I slap you, it's on you."

To Odalys, entering the entertainment industry wasn't a necessity, so her public image didn't matter much. She cared only about her own satisfaction.

Sophia's eyes met Odalys' cold gaze, and she instinctively took a half-step back. She remembered Odalys grabbing her throat earlier that afternoon, and a wave of panic washed over her. Sophia knew Odalys was unpredictable; when she was angry, she cared about nothing.

"Odalys, what are you planning to do?" Atlas charged forward.

Group A, noticing Sophia's absence, rushed to the courtyard and found the confrontation. They were shocked to see Odalys slap Sophia and verbally attack her.

Atlas' anger flared. He rushed forward, standing in front of Sophia. He glared at Odalys, his voice dripping with fury. "Isn't this enough of a scene for you? You've become a shrew, hitting people whenever you feel like it. You went after Group A this afternoon and even hurt Finnian's hand! Have we ever said anything bad about you? Look at you, taking advantage of us not being around, ganging up on Sophia! Aren't you guilty?" Atlas was furious.

Seeing Sophia bullied worried Atlas immensely. All the coldness he'd felt toward her earlier vanished.

Odalys spoke coldly, "When I hit you guys, you didn't say a word. I think that's because you feel guilty! You've done bad things, and now you don't want me to say anything. Atlas, do you really think you're that impressive? This time, you and Sophia have been messing with me, trying to get me alone to steal the emerald pendant."

Atlas was stunned. He couldn't believe Odalys knew about their secret plan to provoke her and steal the pendant.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Atlas stammered.

Odalys smiled faintly, leaning in slightly. "Looks like I guessed wrong. Since you don't want it, then"

She pulled out the emerald pendant and tossed it in the air.

"Odalys, are you insane! Give it back to me!" Atlas panicked, lunging forward. Stellan intercepted him.

The emerald pendant dangled in Odalys' hand. "Yes or no? If you say no, then I'll just destroy it."

Atlas' eyes flashed coldly. Henry and Hannah had warned him that without the pendant, Hannah might die, and the Bennett family would fall apart. It was the key to their survival.

Atlas clenched his fist, his throat dry. "Give me the emerald pendant," he forced out, his hand shaking.

Odalys smiled coldly. "You're just going to reach out and take my things like that? Seems like the Bennett family really has no manners. You think you can trap me for no reason, and now you want to take my things without so much as a 'please'? How convenient," she mocked. She put the pendant back in her pocket and turned to leave.

Atlas watched helplessly as the pendant disappeared. He ground his teeth, frustration evident in his voice. "What do I have to do for you to give it back to me?"

Odalys turned, meeting his gaze with a penetrating look. "Give it back! This emerald pendant was a gift from my master. The Bennett family wants to take what's already mine. Do you know people would pay millions for this? But here you are, trying to snatch it away from me. You really think you can just take whatever you want from me?"

Atlas' discomfort grew. His fists clenched in silent frustration.

"We're all family here. Why do you have to be so cold and distant?" he snapped.

Odalys raised an eyebrow, pointing at herself and then at him. "Family! My last name is Stone, yours is Bennett. How could we ever be family?"