Chapter 248

"Let's go," Henry gritted his teeth, still leaning on Atlas for support as he stood.

Caspian, holding the car keys, strode out confidently. Sophia tried to follow but froze at his cold, dismissive glance.

"Just stay behind," Caspian said flatly.

Those few words shattered Sophia. Tears streamed down her face as she trembled and ran into Hannah's arms.

"Mom, what's wrong with Caspian? Why is he targeting me? What did I do wrong?" Sophia sobbed, clutching Hannah's dress, shaking with desperation.

Hannah, still recovering from her leg injury, winced as Sophia collapsed onto her. The pressure reddened her eyes with pain.

"You're crushing my leg," Hannah hissed.

Sophia froze, pulling away quickly. Seeing Hannah drenched in sweat, she knelt helplessly, murmuring, "It's all Odalys' fault. Why did she have to come back!"

"She came home, beat me, stabbed Henry, and now I've hurt you, too! It's all her fault! She's a disaster!" Sophia ranted, her anger escalating.

She didn't notice Hannah's sharp, calculating gaze until their eyes met, causing Sophia sudden unease.

"Mom, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Sophia asked nervously.

Hannah scrutinized her, then spoke, her voice low and measured. "Sophia, remember when you burned that runes potion for Finnian on the show? Where did that talisman come from?"

Sophia's heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat.

"MomI" she stammered, panic rising. Her mind raced, unable to process the implications of Hannah's question—her secret actions now exposed.

"If only we had that talisman," Hannah mused darkly, "we could get you into the Stewart family."

Sophia's mind reeled. Her mother's suggestion was beyond anything she'd imagined.

"The Stewart family?" she whispered, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. "What do you mean, Mom?"

Hannah had expected harsh scolding and furious accusations, but to her surprise, she focused on the Stewart family instead.

"Odalys is thriving because she was supposed to marry into the Stewart family in your place. That man in the Stewart family won't last more than half a month, so we need to act before he dies and secure your position," Hannah declared, her tone brimming with calculated intent. "As long as you conceive an heir for the Stewart family, their wealth and influence will be ours. Right now, your reputation is in shambles, and the Bennett Group is being crushed. There's no way to clear your name. Climbing higher is our only option. If we control the Stewart family, we control everything," Hannah murmured, ambition igniting in her eyes.

"But, Mother" Sophia stammered, her lips trembling. Hannah interrupted sharply.

"Go buy more talismans immediately. Tomorrow, we'll find an excuse to visit the Stewart family. I'd like to see if Odalys can keep up her arrogance," Hannah said, her voice laced with venomous determination, the murderous intent barely concealed.

Hannah's hatred burned fiercely, especially after witnessing Odalys's superior air in the Bennett family's living room—slapping Sophia, injuring Henry, and casting a disdainful glance.

6:30 PM.

Chapter 218

Odalys exuded a chilling, almost otherworldly presence, as though she were the sole ruler of her domain. That aura drove Hannah mad. She couldn't tolerate anyone stronger than herself, and if there was someone, she'd ensure their downfall—even if it were her own daughter.

"Yes, of course," Sophia said, unable to suppress a gleeful smile. She hadn't expected Hannah to openly instruct her to buy talismans. Previously, she'd worried about finding an excuse, but now, she would seize this opportunity.

Climbing to her feet, despite the sting on her face, Sophia turned to leave but was stopped by Hannah's sharp voice.

"Sophia."

Sophia froze, the smile lingering as she turned back in confusion.

"Why is your skirt wet? The floor reeks of urine," Hannah asked incredulously.

Sophia stiffened, her cheeks flushing. "IIt's because of Odalys! She hit me so hard it must've dislocated my pelvis! I even tried to get checked at the hospital, but they threw me out, and she got the police to lock me up!" she whined, her voice dripping with grievance.

After being crushed by the massive python, her entire body ached, and her bones felt out of place, causing incontinence. Yet, she blamed Odalys. She saw an opportunity to shift all the blame.

"That vile girlIf we don't teach her a lesson, she'll truly think she's untouchable!" Hannah spat, her fury causing a hacking cough.

Sophia smirked inwardly, satisfied. She quickly climbed the stairs, grabbed her car keys, and left the Bennett Villa.

As her car disappeared, Hannah's calculating expression hardened. "Follow her. See where she goes, who she meets, and how she gets those talismans," she instructed coldly.

"Understood," a bodyguard replied.

Hannah watched Sophia's retreating figure with a mocking sneer. "Did she really think I'd pave the way for her? She ought to look in the mirror," Hannah muttered disdainfully. "If there's a prize for conquering the Stewart family, why shouldn't it go to me?" she murmured, a cunning smile curling her lips. For Hannah, it didn't matter which Stewart heir—Evander or Percival—she seduced. Either way, it would secure her a future of power and prestige. She raised her hand, and a bodyguard stepped forward to assist her upstairs.

Sophia, oblivious to Hannah's schemes, drove cautiously. Noticing a car trailing her, she stopped, parked, and vanished into the shadows.

"She escaped," the bodyguard muttered, staring at the abandoned car. After inspecting the vehicle, he reported, "Madam, Sophia's gone."

"That's fine," Hannah replied coolly. "Just intercept her on the way back and take whatever she's carrying." Her tone was devoid of motherly affection.

Meanwhile, outside the Bennett Villa, Odalys shook her hand and shot a cold glance at the others before walking out. The Porsche Cayenne waited outside. Callum, leaning against the driver's side door, was engrossed in his phone. Odalys walked past him and opened the back door. Inside, Percival sat, his imposing figure radiating a commanding presence that filled the car with almost tangible pressure. She smiled. Moments ago, he had been following her, waiting outside while she entered the Bennett Villa. He was ready to act when Henry raised his hand against her.

This revised version addresses grammatical errors, punctuation, and sentence structure for improved clarity and flow. It also removes unnecessary repetition and streamlines some phrasing. The fragmented sentences at the end were removed as they were unclear.