Chapter 236

Odalys felt aversion toward Sophia, but guilt gnawed at her for ignoring her.

"Then you go…" Caspian spat, disgust lacing his voice. "Weren't you the one showering her with affection on that variety show?"

Atlas, startled by the outburst, clamped his mouth shut. He slumped onto the sofa, defeated. His manager had informed him of canceled schedules the moment he'd arrived home last night. He'd had some fame, but now felt cast into oblivion. He'd stayed up late watching clips of the variety show, only to be drowned by online backlash—some even calling him a fool. Enraged, he'd thrown his iPad against the wall.

"Sophia still doesn't get it," Henry interrupted the tense silence. "We need to expose the forced marriage situation to the Stewart family, not pursue Odalys."

"Odalys's public display on the variety show sealed the Bennett family's escape route," he continued. "Acknowledging our relationship with her would expose the Bennetts, crushing us. She's working to sever all ties. Some people even discovered that the house Knox was originally considering resembled the Bennett villa. Paparazzi are pursuing this lead."

"She's trying to completely sever any connection between the Bennett family and herself," Henry gritted, venom in his voice. "Odalys is ruthless." He hadn't expected her to go this far. Before, he'd worried about her involvement; now, she was severing all ties. He felt like he'd swallowed a fly—unable to swallow it, unable to spit it out. He was hurt.

"That bitch. I'll make her beg for mercy one day," Atlas punched the sofa in frustration. He was furious. Odalys's smugness was infuriating.

Caspian remained silent, facing their anger. He sensed a powerful figure behind Odalys, someone untouchable. The Bennett family had been unlucky enough to cross them, paying the price. His own wounds were proof. He'd even given up shares to save himself—a humiliating act. He was waiting, watching. If things went his way, those shares could be leverage to make Odalys owe him a favor. Otherwise, he'd find another way to force her hand. But now wasn't the time.

Henry's phone buzzed. His face darkened as he answered. After hanging up, he examined the documents, clicking through them.

"Henry, what's wrong?" Atlas's premonition was confirmed by Henry's expression.

Henry gripped his phone tightly, a chilling look in his eyes.

"I had someone investigate. The plane Odalys chartered was backed by military power, connected to the airport. Footage shows a man in a Cayenne picking her up after the broadcast. There are only three of those limited-edition Cayennes in the world," Henry said. "One is registered to the Stewarts. The Stewarts arranged the plane, using military connections. Odalys was picked up in their Cayenne and disappeared. My people couldn't track them, then there was an accident—one of my men was hospitalized after being hit."

He was angry. It was clearly deliberate, someone knowing they were being followed. This implicated the Stewarts. The man who picked up Odalys was the same one who'd crashed his and Sophia's car.

"Whoever it is, they're connected to the Stewarts," Henry concluded.

A chill crawled down Atlas's spine. Their arrogance toward Odalys filled him with dread.

"Henry, are you saying… Odalys is aligned with the Stewarts? They know our relationship with her and are suppressing us? If so, the Bennett Group is finished," Atlas's voice trembled. He hadn't imagined Odalys held this much power.

"Calm down," Henry replied, his voice steady but cold. "We need to make the Stewarts aware that Odalys is a substitute, that she forced Sophia out. We need them to see her for the scoundrel she is. Their concern for family reputation will force them to discard her. But first, we need to confirm if their patriarch is near death. If so, we need to get Sophia to them before it's too late." Henry's words exuded cold calculation.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Hannah, in her wheelchair, rolled into the hallway. Her face was pale, but her eyes burned with viciousness. She winced at the pain from her broken leg and back. But her sons' conversation cut through her like a knife.

"The most urgent thing is to get the emerald pendant back from Odalys. It's blocking our luck and hiding her secrets. Our misfortunes started after she took it. She's been planning our downfall from the beginning. I wish I'd never given birth to her," Hannah hissed, furious.

She was enraged by Odalys's online success; wealthy wives were booking readings, and prices were rising. Odalys was stepping on the Bennetts to climb higher.

"Mom, she's ignoring us. Sophia tried to reason with her, but ended up at the police station," Atlas grumbled. He was seething, powerless against Odalys.

"The moment she goes out, we'll find a quiet spot and force her to return. If she doesn't…" Hannah's voice turned cold and menacing.

Caspian stood, gritting his teeth. "My wound's acting up. I need painkillers." He left, his steps slow and labored. His stitched wounds itched and pained. Though silent, he sensed something was amiss.

Back in his room, Caspian locked the door and retrieved a new phone. After activating a new SIM card, he hesitated before dialing a number.