Chapter 242

Lee's expression darkened as he walked away, glancing at the screen. "Turn off the live stream," he said gravely.

The chat erupted with comments:

“[Wt Corpses! No way, this is getting explosive!]” “[Did Group set this up to draw them out? What's their real intention?]” “[Is there anything L, as a VIP member, can't see! Please, I want the whole live stream!]” “[This is even more thrilling than the variety show!]” “[Anyone nearby! I need the full scoop. I'll send rockets!]”

Viewers were excited, eager to see the unfolding investigation. However, the situation involved corpses, and wasn't something that could be made public immediately.

Lee, a commanding man in his forties, exuded authority. His every movement conveyed a sense of justice. Spotting the body under the tree, his face fell.

The body was bound with an iron chain, head down and feet up, as if tied and buried upside down.

"Get the coroner here," Lee ordered coldly.

He turned to the young officer, his gaze sharp. "What happened here?"

The young officer shifted nervously, whispering, "Before Ms. Stone got into the car, she pointed to the tree and said we should dig there—it would be a surprise."

"We thought she was being superstitious, but when we dug, we found legs. We suspected a body, so we excavated it."

Lee stared at the body, deep in thought. Without speaking, he walked toward the police car. He noticed officers taking statements, but no one had been taken to the station; they'd only just completed initial reports.

"Ms. Stone, how did you know there was a body here?" Lee's piercing gaze fixed on her.

As a police officer, he was suspicious. It wasn't normal for someone to pinpoint a body so confidently—unless they were the perpetrator.

Odalys chuckled softly, unconcerned. She calmly stepped from the car, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "Of course, I could see more than one."

She continued nonchalantly, "I've been learning magic since childhood. This villa is full of wicked energy, and there are probably more bodies buried here. If you trust me, extend your hand, and I'll show you," she added with a calm, confident smile.

Lee, skeptical, extended his hand. Odalys took it, her fingers dusted with magic powder. With a flick of her wrist, she traced a talisman on his palm and tapped it.

The moment her finger touched his skin, Lee shuddered. To his surprise, his feet moved on their own, pulling him quickly toward the villa.

"Lee!" the young officer gasped.

The others stepped aside as Lee, almost in a trance, marched to a washbasin and pointed, saying, "Dig here, and pry that open over there."

Lee continued pacing, indicating twelve spots, ordering officers to dig. Initially hesitant and confused, they didn't dare question him and reluctantly began working.

Moments later, an officer shouted, "There's a body—it's bound!"

"Another one here!"

"This one's fragmented."

6:29 PM

Chapter 212 (Note: This should likely be a continuation of Chapter 242, not a new chapter)

"This looks like a child's body!"

More bodies were unearthed. Inside the car, silence reigned; the officers' hair stood on end, realizing the villa was filled with corpses. Stellan and the others sat stunned. Odalys had driven them there without explanation.

"Odalys, did you already know something was wrong here?" Freya asked.

Before Selah could turn off the live stream, other officers disembarked. The five remained in the car, waiting.

"Yes," Odalys replied quietly. "This place is filled with wicked energy. It's remote, and uninhabited, so it's become a hunting ground. The police never searched here before, which is why I brought them."

She continued, "I've been here before. I knew this was the old man's territory. The formation here binds souls and gathers wicked energy, with all those bodies buried beneath. He was using them to amplify the energy. I just needed the right moment—now, with the variety show—to bring it to light and let the police handle it."

With the police investigating, the people responsible—particularly the old man—might be exposed. Even if not, the fear and chaos would force them into the open.

"Wow, Odalys, you're incredible! I thought you were just picking a random place, but you had everything planned out," Selah said in awe.

Francis, reeling from his agent and girlfriend's betrayal, was shocked by the corpses. Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, they did.

"Ms. Stone," Lee's voice grew colder. He stopped pointing and walked slowly toward her.

He glared, his eyes sharp. Odalys stood calmly, hands behind her back.

Lee took a drag from his cigarette, eyes never leaving her. "You planned all this, didn't you? You wanted to kill two birds with one stone!"

Odalys remained unfazed. "I just want to give these souls peace. This place is where others committed crimes and gathered souls. I'm just trying to help."

She smiled wryly. "I've done what I can today. If you need help in the future, you know where to find me—but I'll charge."

Odalys returned to the car. Stellan started the engine and drove away.

Lee stood, cigarette in hand, watching them go.

The young officer approached cautiously, doubt in his voice. "Lee, do you think Odalys is involved?"

"It's impossible," Lee replied, shaking his head. "I've had her background checked. She only returned to Crownridge seven months ago. She's never been down this mountain before. And the time of death suggests they died at different times."