Chapter 196

The food had been secretly delivered to Stellan before the others returned.

“They gave us food, perhaps because they knew we would be here tomorrow,” Odalys explained. “And they didn't give it to us face-to-face, perhaps because of the cameras.”

“That makes sense,” Freya murmured. “It seems the villagers love to stay home; I didn’t see anyone in the village.”

Without her companions or the film crew nearby, she felt uneasy. None of the villagers left their homes, day or night, except for the obnoxious Rafael. Because of Rafael, Freya disliked the village.

“Yes, they do,” Selah commented. “They don’t leave their homes, and the village is so quiet. It’s weird.”

Silence. Odalys led Freya and Selah back to base. They boiled water, showered, and washed their hair while Stellan and Francis prepared the meal.

“What should we do with the shrimp?” Odalys asked, rolling up her sleeves.

Selah quickly raised her hand. “Leave them to me. I rarely cook, and shrimp are relatively simple.”

“I’ll handle the fish,” Freya said, pointing to it. The fish was fresh and tender; she remembered Odalys teaching her how to cook it.

“Okay,” the others nodded.

Selah prepared the shrimp, Freya cooked the fish, Odalys stewed the game, Stellan handled the crabs, and Francis cooked the vegetables. Odalys then added a pot of mushroom soup.

After the meal was served, the film crew couldn't help but exclaim, “What a feast!”

Freya, rolling up her sleeves, sat down. Odalys, in a blue suit, looked slender as she casually rolled up her sleeves and handed out forks. Group B and Francis gathered around the table for a harmonious lunch.

In contrast, the atmosphere next door was somber. Because of the morning incident, Group A couldn't go out for food. They had no lunch, so Finnian boiled water and gave each team member a glass. Looking at the hot water in his glass, Finnian felt a pang of hunger at the aroma of the food from next door.

“Damn it!” Atlas suddenly stood, intending to confront Odalys.

Finnian instantly grabbed Atlas’s arm, his grip firm. “Enough! Do you want to cause trouble again? Group B doesn’t owe us anything. They go out for food every day. Aren’t you afraid the viewers will laugh at you if you pick on them again?”

Atlas shook off Finnian’s hand. “Laugh at me? Mr. Bennett! You’re the laughingstock. How dare you, an illegitimate child, stop me? Who do you think you are!” He vented his frustration on Finnian.

Finnian’s face darkened instantly. He stared at Atlas in disbelief.

Atlas realized his mistake and quickly slumped down. "illegitimate childso impoverished? At least, the Bennett family was on the verge of bankruptcyinvestors from the Lark familyWhat about you, Mr. Bennett? If I recall correctly, your family planned to use me to meet Carson" He continued, "Aren't you, Mr. Bennett, a laughingstock?"

“Ingrates like you are despicable,” Finnian retorted sarcastically.

Atlas’s face turned livid. Ignorant and arrogant, he knew the Bennett family couldn’t afford to offend the Lark family. Having fallen out with Finnian, he refused to speak to him again out of pride. He picked up his glass, took a sip of water, and threw the glass away—the hot water had burned his mouth. The glass shattered. Having only one glass each, Atlas was now without a drinking vessel. He sprang to his feet, touched his lips, and waved his hand. “Tough luck,” he said, walking back to his room.

Finnian stared blankly at Odalys, hearing her cheerful laughter. He longed for a moment alone with her, but she didn't give him a glance. He clenched his fists, depressed.

[How cocky Atlas is! The Bennett Group is reportedly going bankrupt.] [My last name is Bennett, and I’m ashamed. Damn Atlas is such a fool! I’m so pissed off!] [How shameless! He still wants to pick on Odalys! I wish the Bennett Group would go bankrupt immediately!]

Netizens were furious, cursing Atlas. They saw him as the show’s real villain, surpassing even Sophia in their disdain. Sophia had made Atlas look like a stupid, arrogant, buck-passer.

Sophia, in her room, wept at the aroma of the food. “Odalys, just you wait,” she muttered, clutching the sheets. “After tomorrow, you’re doomed.” She had devised numerous plans to get even with Odalys and vowed to make her life miserable.

After lunch, Odalys chatted with her companions. When they started a card game, she waved her hand. “I’ll watch you play.”

“Okay. You can take my place if you’re bored,” Freya said.

Odalys left her companions playing cards, slipped away from the film crew, and walked towards Brandon’s house. The door opened as she approached, and she entered.

“What a surprise!” Brandon exclaimed, overjoyed. He’d had a sleepless night after Percival left. He never expected Percival to arrive with Odalys, especially since Percival had consulted Odalys and followed her advice during the meeting. Clearly, Percival held Odalys in high regard. Brandon trusted the Stewart family while feeling guilty. The meeting with Percival the previous night had erased his last lingering doubts about Odalys.

Chapter 196 (continued)

“You sent us the food, didn’t you?” Odalys asked softly.

Brandon chuckled and led her inside, saying, “I had the time, and my hand has recovered considerably. So I went out to find some food for you.”

“It wasn’t easy finding this place. I feel I must offer my hospitality before you leave.” He poured her coffee. Keylor emerged from the inner room. Seeing Odalys, he enthusiastically brought some food to the table.

“You saw what happened to that man, didn’t you?” Odalys asked after taking a sip of coffee.