Chapter 238

They knew everything about the artist's schedule—the exact times, the people they met, their next destination, the car they were using, even the license plate number. It was all meticulously detailed.

If the person meant well, that was one thing, but if they had darker intentions, destroying the artist would be too easy. They could even make him disappear, Wiltrare. Once the police started investigating, they could claim he had other plans, somewhere else to be. Who would suspect the people closest to him? During this time, they could erase all evidence.

“If it comes to that, I’ll rent a place next to the police station. That way, if something happens, I can call for help immediately,” Francis said, his voice tinged with fear. He couldn't trust the bodyguards. How could he be sure they weren't working against him? The thought of being carved open alive, his organs removed—that gruesome scene was enough to make his blood run cold.

“It’s not that complicated. We just need to turn the tables on them,” Odalys said calmly. “Francis, your phone has a tracker, right? Let’s lure them out and expose them.”

Freya and Selah exchanged quick glances. “We need to charge your phone, though. If things go sideways, we need to capture everything on video,” Freya said, her voice low.

While they were discussing their next steps, Sienna, who had just fallen asleep, suddenly woke up. Even Dangelo, who had been unconscious, stirred. The pain was unbearable, but he said nothing, listening to the conversation. His eyes fell on Odalys, a mix of emotions in his gaze.

He coughed, a sharp sound that interrupted the tense atmosphere.

Stellan, his eyes wide with relief, turned to see both his parents awake, exhausted but alive. His eyes welled up, and he rushed forward.

“This is Ms. Stone, right?” Dangelo raised a hand, stopping Stellan. He remained still, to avoid aggravating his injuries, his expression unreadable as he regarded Odalys. “I’ve heard him talk about you before. He warned me to stay indoors. I thought it was just superstition, but now…” His voice trailed off.

“When everything went wrong, he ran over, gave me a talisman, and said it would protect me. I saw it with my own eyes—when the explosion happened again, that talisman shielded me from the flames.” Dangelo’s voice softened. “It was you who saved me and my son. If you hadn’t given me that talisman, I would’ve died. And Stellan… he might not have made it either.”

The gratitude was clear in his voice, and the weight of the situation settled over the room. Dangelo’s sharp mind grasped the gravity of what had happened.

“Stellan, Odalys saved our lives. Remember this: if she ever needs help, no matter when or where, you stand by her. She gave us a second chance, and that’s something we can never repay easily.” He paused, then reached for his phone. “How much did that talisman cost? I’ll pay you back.”

Unfortunately, his entire body ached so badly that he couldn’t even hold his phone.

Odalys watched Dangelo wake up. Though injured, his spirits seemed intact. Only then did the weight in her chest begin to lift. She shook her head, her voice steady. “Mr. Drake, no need to worry. Stellan already gave me fifteen million dollars in advance. I’ve accepted it.”

The words were simple, but the effect was immediate. Francis froze, his face blank as he scrambled to transfer more money. He quickly typed in a million dollars, his hands shaking slightly. Odalys’s phone buzzed with the incoming transfer. She glanced at the screen, confused by the sudden generosity. She turned to look at Francis, who looked a little embarrassed, scratching his head nervously.

“You show me divination and now you’re offering money to save me? This is life-saving money, isn’t it?” Francis said, trying to keep his tone light, though it was obvious he was feeling the weight of the situation.

Odalys’s lips twitched, but she didn’t respond. It was the rule: no refunds for divination services.

Coughing again, Dangelo tried to speak but was interrupted by a fit of violent coughing. Stellan, watching his father struggle, hesitated. He knew the pain Dangelo was in, but there were bigger issues at hand. “Dad, please rest. I’ll have the doctor come in to check on you.”

Dangelo, ever the businessman, assessed the situation quickly. “Call the family bodyguards. I trust them more than anyone else right now. They’ll be more reliable than any hired help.”

Odalys shook her head. “Mr. Drake, please rest. We’ll handle the rest.”

“Fair enough,” Dangelo said weakly. Her silence was her answer. Dangelo gave her a once-over, but there was something about her he couldn’t quite decipher. Still, he chose not to press further.

After Stellan finished making arrangements, he and Odalys turned to leave. Meanwhile, Sienna, who hadn’t actually fallen asleep, broke the silence. “That Odalys is quite remarkable,” she remarked. “I heard she was abandoned,” she added in a lowered voice. “We’ve got people in the police department. From what I’ve gathered, it might have something to do with the Bennett family.”

Dangelo frowned. “The Bennett family? As in Bennett Entertainment?”

“The very same,” Sienna confirmed with a nod.

Dangelo stayed quiet, despite the pain. A seasoned businessman, he didn’t let discomfort cloud his judgment. “My injuries won’t heal overnight, so you’ll handle family matters for now. Spread the word: anything related to the Bennett family is to be completely severed,” he instructed. “Your cousin works at a bank, doesn’t he? The Bennett family secured a loan through him, right? Come up with a reason and have him reject any further requests. Odalys saved our lives—this is a debt we owe her.”

“Got it,” Sienna replied before sighing. “It’s just astonishing how utterly foolish Hannah was to throw away such an incredible daughter. If Odalys were my daughter, I’d never let her go.” The irony wasn’t lost on her—after all, their similar names had once been a running joke in their social circles.

As they spoke, Odalys and the others left the hospital, heading for a remote part of the countryside. They arrived at an old, dilapidated villa. Freya looked around, feeling a chill. “Where are we?” she asked, her voice uneasy.

Odalys didn’t respond immediately. “Let’s go inside. Francis, keep your phone on. We need them to track us.”

They walked toward the villa, and Odalys kicked open the door. She stepped inside, scanning the room with a keen eye. The corner, once hiding a body, was now empty. “Well, this is interesting,” she said with a cold smile.