Chapter 191

Rafael's statement perfectly corroborated the video. If anyone had suspected the video was fabricated, his testimony eliminated all doubt. The events unfolded too quickly; no one could react, let alone pursue Rafael. Moments before, he had approached them voluntarily.

"You're lying!" Sophia insisted, attempting to defend herself. She knew it was futile, but wouldn't surrender without a fight. "Lying," she spat again, but as she backed away from Rafael, Odalys intercepted her, restraining her arm.

"Since you're both lying, you have nothing to fear, right? Why are you scared? What are you afraid of? Perhaps you merely fell into his lap, he held you, and—oops—your phone accidentally recorded in our room?" Odalys asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't it just as accidental that you put something in Finnian's drink and almost angered that giant snake? Sophis, you're a walking accident! Why is it that every accident you cause only hurts others, but never yourself?"

With each word, Odalys chipped away at Sophia's defiance. Sophia glared at her, but before she could retort, Odalys swiftly grabbed her chin, forcing her mouth open. Sophia gasped, her lips twitching, as Odalys sharply twisted them. A sickening sound echoed through the room. Sophia felt excruciating pain shoot through her jaw.

"Not so tough after all," Odalys murmured, her tone colder than ice. "I thought you were all bark, but look—one twist and your jaw dislocates. I thought you were fearless; turns out, you're all talk."

She released Sophia with a flick of disdain, wiping her hands on a tissue. Sophia's face flushed with humiliation and fury, but Odalys ignored her, turning to Rafael with sharp eyes. "Don't look at me. I don't know you," she said flatly. Rafael's knees buckled; with a heavy thud, he collapsed before her, his face contorted in agony.

He had never experienced such pain. Though he suspected Odalys's involvement in his injuries, he now witnessed her true power. He knew she could heal him; she was his only hope.

"I'm in so much pain," Rafael sobbed. "Please… help me."

The arrogance he'd displayed earlier vanished, replaced by desperation. Hours ago, he'd been in control, mocking everyone. Now, he was a pitiful man begging for mercy, kneeling on the floor.

"Apologize to her, and maybe I'll consider helping you," Odalys said, her voice low and cold.

Before she finished, Rafael crawled toward Freya, his face full of guilt. "I'm sorry," he choked out. "I was blinded by haste. I let myself be manipulated. I should never have treated you that way. Please… save me."

He had once ruled the village, bullying those with severed tendons, feeling invincible. But now, under Odalys's pressure, he felt disoriented, his world crumbling.

"If she forgives you, I'll help you. If not, there's nothing I can do," Odalys shrugged nonchalantly before walking away. The others watched her, awestruck and respectful. No one expected her to quietly resolve everything.

She didn't create a scene, yet everything was resolved—Sophia exposed, Freya's problem handled without crew intervention. Odalys had done it all with remarkable finesse.

"I'm sorry, please forgive me! I can't go on like this… I'm going to die," Rafael wailed, his cries growing more desperate. He had never felt so helpless.

"You're not sorry," Odalys's voice was cold. "You're kneeling because you're hurt and scared. You're not remorseful. If not for my warning, what would have happened to Freya? You would have destroyed her. I'm no saint; not everyone deserves forgiveness."

Freya glared at him, devoid of sympathy. "People like you don't deserve mercy. You don't just ruin someone's life—you try to enslave them, force them to stay somewhere they don't want to be, all for your selfish desires. You don't even deserve to live."

"Please, someone help me," Rafael groaned, his body wracked with pain. He was losing strength, his side aching from Odalys's injury. He looked down in horror as the wound, where his rib had punctured his skin, began to bleed again. His breath quickened in panic.

"I'm bleeding! I'm bleeding again!" Rafael yelled, his voice strained with fear. "Help me, please, someone help me!"

He struggled to rise but collapsed, overwhelmed by pain. He tried to curse, to threaten, but when his eyes met Odalys's cold gaze, the words died in his throat.

Odalys wasn't trying to kill him; she wouldn't let him die. She knew Percival's father's death was likely connected to something in the village. To uncover the truth, Rafael was crucial. But that didn't mean she'd save him now. Some people had to face the consequences of their actions—to break under their own fear and despair—before understanding the pain they caused.

"Help me, please! It hurts so much!" Rafael cried, collapsing. The cameraman, sensing the delicate situation, moved the camera away. They wanted to capture drama, but wouldn't interfere in personal matters or force Odalys into a moral dilemma. This man had tried to destroy Freya's life; if he'd succeeded, the consequences would have been disastrous. No one felt any sympathy for him.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. "What are you doing?" Sophia stood frozen, shocked. As the others walked away, she felt something brush against her. Before she reacted, Rafael pulled her to the ground. The impact sent pain shooting through her body, and tears welled in her eyes. The cameraman quickly refocused on the scene.

Rafael was on top of her, his arms pinning her. "What are you doing?! Let go of me! It hurts, let go! You sick old man!" Sophia gritted her teeth, desperately trying to push him off, but Rafael pressed harder.

He watched, a twisted satisfaction in his eyes as she struggled. He didn't care she was fighting back; it seemed to fuel his desire. He tore at her clothes, grabbing and pulling at the fabric, muttering, "You did this to me. You made me go to that room. It's all your fault. If you hadn't led me on, I wouldn't be like this." He hit her, ripped her clothes, and leaned down to kiss her, his hands no longer respecting boundaries.