Chapter 212
Outside the police station, people anxiously awaited updates from the police. Some feared those connected to Odalys might cause trouble or use influence to cover things up. A few remained stationed outside, refusing to leave. Others monitored hotlines, ensuring no one from the Bennett family interfered or covered their tracks.
In the hospital's VIP room, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Hannah, lying in bed, her face ashen with rage, watched the video clip replay endlessly. Her hands gripped the blanket so tightly it was about to tear.
"That little bitch, Odalys! How dare she?" Hannah cursed. "She exposed her identity at the show's end, claiming we abandoned her and urging viewers to investigate the past!" she hissed, her voice rising. "Does she want to ruin the Bennett family?"
"She's insane!" Hannah fumed, struggling to breathe. "The broadcast had millions of viewers! What are we going to do?"
Caspian, still in bed, glanced at Henry, who looked years older than his not-quite-thirty years. His hair was streaked with gray.
"Mom, did you and Dad really abandon Odalys years ago?" Henry asked, his voice heavy with disbelief. Odalys's on-camera statement was hard to process. Hadn't they always said she'd simply gone missing? Now, she claimed abandonment.
The more Henry considered it, the more uneasy he became. He hadn't taken her words seriously initially, but now he wondered if she wasn't framing them—if it was true.
Hannah's composure slipped. For years, she'd claimed Odalys went missing and that Sophia was the child they found. But Sophia wasn't adopted; she'd replaced Odalys, becoming the true Bennett daughter.
"Mom, stop lying!" Henry pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. "If you don't tell the truth, once the police broadcast, we won't have time to fix this. Maybe we can still stop it if you come clean."
The company was shut down. The Lark family land was gone—taken by Odalys, who had publicly severed ties with the Bennetts. Henry had once believed Odalys desperately wanted to be part of the Bennett family, but now it seemed she couldn't wait to escape them. She didn't seem to care about their name at all.
Hannah's face paled as she tried to formulate an excuse. "I'm telling the truth!" she gasped, panic rising.
The door burst open. A man in a suit strode in, his presence commanding attention. Henry recognized him: the man who'd delivered the Stewart family's wedding gifts months ago.
"Dorian what are you doing here?" Henry asked, forcing a smile. Hannah and Caspian straightened, despite their injuries, attempting to appear dignified.
"If I didn't come, would the Bennett family be asking for death?" Dorian's voice was cold. Though a butler, his aura was imposing. He'd fought in wars with Evander, and his hands had shed blood.
"What do you mean?" Hannah asked, her earlier bravado gone. She sensed something was wrong—Dorian wasn't here for pleasantries. He felt like he was here to settle scores.
Dorian slammed photos and papers onto the table. "Is this the daughter you raised?" he asked, pointing. "Sophia framed Mrs. Stewart on the show, leading to online attacks. Do you know what she's done?"
"She's not only tarnishing Mrs. Stewart's image but also angering Mr. Stewart. The Bennett family really has a death wish, doesn't it?" Dorian's voice was sharp. The Bennetts had crossed a line, and Dorian was here to ensure they paid.
It was part of Percival's plan to protect Odalys. They wouldn't let anyone harm her. Anyone who dared would face the entire Stewart family. The Stewarts were Odalys's shield, her unshakeable foundation. No one could touch her.
"Are you mistaken?" Henry asked, his voice trembling. "Why are the Stewarts involved? What do they have to do with this?"
"Mistaken? Do you think Mr. Stewart is blind, or Evander's vision flawed? Don't you see how clear it is on the broadcast?" Dorian spat, his voice laced with disdain.
He mentioned Percival and Evander, raising the tension.
"Mr. Stewart and Evander watched the show?" Henry's throat tightened. He struggled to process this. Why would the Stewarts care about a variety show? Was Orson right—was Percival dying, and did they want Odalys to have a child to inherit everything?
The Stewarts were a force—wealth and power beyond challenge.
"Yes, they watched. They know someone targeted Mrs. Stewart, nearly causing a disaster. Your business dealings are frozen. I'm here with a message from Mr. Stewart," Dorian said, his eyes gleaming. "The Bennett Group's troubles are just the beginning. If you don't want to end up dead, stop targeting Mrs. Stewart. The consequences will be fast."
The final word hung in the air like a death sentence.
"So, the Stewarts are behind this! They're punishing us for what we did to Odalys?" Henry's voice cracked, disbelief evident on his face.