Chapter 244

After sending the apartment address and gate code to Freya and Stellan, Odalys put away her phone.

“Odalys, how about I terminate my contract with the company too? I’d like to come stay with you,” Freya said, stepping forward, wrapping her arms around Odalys, and pouting coquettishly.

Odalys gave her a mock glare, then chuckled. “You, the hottest young star? I can’t afford to keep you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Freya’s phone vibrated, signaling her ride had arrived. Her bodyguards ushered her toward the elevator.

After Freya left, only Odalys and Stellan remained in the silent corridor.

“Once my dad wakes up, I’m going to tell him everything about the cancer. I’ve also started looking into who’s setting us up,” Stellan murmured.

Despite being in the entertainment industry, Stellan wasn’t naive. He came from a wealthy family, and his upbringing had equipped him with valuable skills.

“Start by checking the people frequently around your dad. See who might have had a chance to tamper with his food. Keep it low-profile for now. Even if you find something, don’t make it public yet,” Odalys advised, lowering her voice.

Stellan nodded in agreement.

“Okay, I’ll head out then,” Odalys said, turning toward the elevator.

Stellan waited until the elevator doors closed before returning to the hospital room.

Odalys exited the elevator, wearing a hat, and stepped outside into the busy hospital. People, with somber expressions, were either consulting or visiting patients.

Just then, a black car sped toward her, honking twice. She looked up to see Percival’s handsome face in the lowered window.

“Percival!” Odalys exclaimed, her face lighting up.

The car smoothly stopped in front of her, and Odalys quickly got in. The door closed softly. Sitting in the car, she realized how exhausted she was. It had been nonstop since she left that morning.

Now, as nightfall approached, the streetlights cast a soft glow, seemingly washing away the day’s fatigue.

“Today, you led the police to that villa. Is that the one you mentioned before?” Percival asked in a low voice.

Odalys hadn’t expected him to figure it out.

“Yes. When I tested Sophia’s hair, I noticed the same aura in the villa as in Sophia’s. So, I traced it back there. I broke his formation, which caused him to be backlashed. He couldn’t handle it and died on the spot. I didn’t expect the body to be disposed of. His accomplices must have realized something was wrong and came to search for him. When they found him dead, they took care of the aftermath. Today, I led the police there to use their hands to catch these people. We’ll just observe from the sidelines and see who’s connected to the Bennett family.”

Odalys spoke softly as she accepted the coffee Percival offered. The coffee was perfectly tempered—not too hot. She took a small sip to soothe her throat, feeling much more relaxed.

“Also, after the elder died, Sophia was backlashed too. That’s why she had to target Finnian. Her talisman is new, meaning that after the elder died, she found someone else to help her. This person could have been assisting her from the shadows all along. The Bennett family knew about your condition. They knew you were dying, which is why they forced me to marry you. But the Bennett family’s status means they shouldn’t have had any direct contact with the Stewart family.”

Odalys analyzed calmly, her mind sharp and unfazed by the events.

Chapter 211

“I’ve looked into this. I didn’t expect that Hannah knew my mother over twenty years ago,” Percival said, his eyes narrowing. He hadn’t expected investigating the Bennett family to lead him to his mother.

“Your mother knew her? That’s strange. Why would she reveal your condition to the Bennett family? Does she not want Sophia to marry you?” Odalys asked, puzzled. It didn’t make sense that a mother would disclose her son’s impending death to strangers instead of caring for him.

“What does she gain by cutting off your engagement with the Bennett family? Preventing you from finding a wife? Ending the Stewart family’s bloodline? But the Stewart family isn’t lacking in money. Women are still eager to bear your children,” Odalys mused, resting her chin on her hand.

She couldn’t make sense of it all.

Unnoticed by Odalys, Percival, listening to her words, grew more serious. His usually calm face bore an expression of quiet tension.

“I don’t need them to bear my children,” Percival’s voice dropped low and dangerously.

Odalys, usually perceptive, didn’t notice his change in tone. She was too focused on the puzzle.

“Have you checked whether your mother has had recent contact with the Bennett family?” Odalys asked quietly.

She noticed Percival had gone silent. Turning to look at him, she found him sitting with his eyes closed, deep in thought. Concerned, she asked, “Are you okay? Let me check.”

She reached out to check his pulse, but Percival suddenly grabbed her hand, his eyes snapping open, his expression intense.

“I don’t need them to bear my children,” he repeated firmly.

“Ah!” Odalys looked up, confused.

The tension in the car thickened. Odalys shook off his grip and gently pressed her fingers to his wrist. His pulse seemed normal; there was no sign of discomfort.

“Even if Sophia tries to warm my bed, I will refuse,” Percival suddenly added.

Odalys raised her gaze in confusion, locking eyes with him. Percival, looking down with utmost seriousness, continued, “I won’t allow her to step foot in my house.”

“Ah?” Odalys was utterly lost.

She couldn’t understand why Percival was saying this, nor why he seemed upset, especially since it had nothing to do with her question. But he insisted he wouldn’t have children with anyone else and wouldn’t let Sophia into his home.

Rubbing her neck, she looked at him curiously.

“The Bennett family used some money to bail Sophia out of the police station,” Percival said, meeting her confused gaze, his voice distant as he looked away.

Hearing that Sophia had been bailed out, a cold light flashed in Odalys’s eyes.

It seemed the Bennett family still wasn’t willing to let her go. After all, she had grown up as their pampered princess—no matter what trouble she got into, the Bennett family always took the fall for her.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“The Bennett family! I remember you said they were trying to team up with Oliver to get their hands on my emerald pendant? I haven’t had time to settle the score with them yet,” Odalys said with a small, amused smirk.

Leaning forward, she placed a hand on the back of the seat and turned to Callum. “Callum, please take me to the Bennett Villa. Thank you.”

Callum, glancing at Percival in the rearview mirror, nodded in approval. “Understood.”

He quickly turned the car around and headed toward the Bennett Villa.