Chapter 2257

Percival was in a fragile state. If negative energy clung to him, the poison would act faster. If not for the thunderstruck wood protecting him, he probably wouldn't have survived the night, Odalys stated plainly. It was the truth.

Evander's eyes were bloodshot as he slightly clutched Odalys's hands; his gray hair shimmered under the light. "Without you, Percival would be gone. You're heaven-sent to save the Stewart family."

"Percival marrying you is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to him," he added.

"Thank God. Yes, I'll go buy some flowers and pray right away," Evander said, hurriedly turning and walking off. He moved quickly, making a phone call. "Send a car. I'm heading to the largest funeral home."

"Yes, now, immediately!" Evander barked into the phone, rushing downstairs.

Inside, Orson and Callum exchanged a glance. Percival, aside from his pale complexion, didn't seem to be in any immediate danger.

"In that case, we'll go with Mr. Stewart. You should rest," Orson suggested.

"Yes. I'll go help too," Callum added, leaving.

Servants entered to clean the blood from the floor, lighting scented candles to mask the metallic smell. They worked swiftly, as if it were routine.

"Thank you for saving my life tonight," Percival said seriously, looking at Odalys.

Odalys waved a hand dismissively. "Don't be so formal. I'm not used to it."

She turned to leave but stopped, glancing back at the small wooden block in Percival's hand. In a low voice, she said, "That's a talisman made with my blood and magic dust. It's waterproof. You can wear it," she added, closing the door behind her.

Percival opened his palm, gently rubbing the small wooden piece. It still seemed to carry Odalys's presence. Walking to his desk, he opened a drawer, removed the string from an old talisman, threaded it through the hole in the wood, and tied it around his neck.

Just then, his phone vibrated. Seeing the bodyguard's number, he quickly answered, his voice low. "Hello, what is it?"

"Mr. Stewart, we've dragged Ms. Simpson to her car. What should we do now?" The bodyguard sounded hesitant, unsure of whether to leave her unattended.

After a pause, Percival replied, "Leave her be."

"Understood," the bodyguard replied. He and his men walked briskly back toward the Stewart Villa.

Edie, bitten and unconscious, had been left in her car. In a daze, old memories surfaced, and she struggled against them. She vaguely saw a figure approaching her, slow and deliberate.

"Who… who are you?" Edie murmured, struggling to speak.

Still in her gown, Edie found it hard to move freely. She forced herself to her feet, her forehead crusted with dried blood, her face twisted and frightening. She pried open the car door, gripping it for support as she stepped out. Edie stood barefoot on the ground, taking slow steps forward.

"Who… look closer," Odalys said, tilting her head.

Standing there, Odalys smiled at Edie. As Edie got closer and finally saw her face, her eyes widened in shock.

"You… you're Percival's wife?" Edie stammered, not expecting to see Odalys here.

Odalys strode forward, grabbing Edie by the shoulder and shoving her forcefully back into the car. Edie groaned in pain as she slammed against the car door. Odalys stood tall, looking down at Edie's pained expression. She reached out, lifted Edie's chin with her fingers, and forced her to meet her gaze.

"That's right. It's me," Odalys said with a low chuckle.

She gripped Edie's chin tightly, her sharp nails digging into the delicate skin. Edie let out a muffled groan and grabbed Odalys's wrist to free herself. But before she could resist further, Odalys seized her fingers and twisted them back forcefully. Edie screamed in pain, cold sweat breaking out all over her body.

She glared at Odalys, shouting, "Do you even know who I am! I'm Percival's mother!"

"Let me go this instant!" Edie demanded.

Odalys laughed, a cold and dismissive sound, as she glanced at Edie with disdain. "You? You think just because you're Percival's mother, that entitles you to my respect!"

"You…" Edie stammered, unnerved by the cruel glint in Odalys's eye. For a moment, she froze, overwhelmed by primal fear. She wants to kill me? I'm her husband's mother! This is the first time we've met, and not only is she not showing me any respect, but she's also planning to kill me? she wondered.

Without warning, Odalys's hand moved to Edie's throat, her grip unrelenting as she lifted her off the ground.

"You're close with Hannah, aren't you?" Odalys murmured, her voice cold and menacing. "You encouraged her to abandon me when I was born, didn't you? All those years she abused me—was that your doing, too?"

Edie's expression shifted to one of confusion as she opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Odalys tightened her grip. Just as Edie's breaths grew faint and her vision blurred, Odalys suddenly released her, flinging her to the side.

With a dull thud, Edie crashed into the side of the Rolls-Royce, letting out a pained grunt. Odalys brushed her hands off as if ridding herself of something vile and then turned toward Edie, landing a hard kick to her leg. Edie whimpered and tried to scramble to her feet, her hand reaching out to claw at Odalys's face. Before she could make contact, Odalys caught her wrist and twisted it away effortlessly.

"I don't even know Hannah. What nonsense are you spouting?" Edie snapped, her voice trembling with rage and fear.

Odalys shoved Edie's hand aside and turned her back, walking toward the Stewart Villa without a second glance. "Edie, even if you are Percival's mother, so what?" she called over her shoulder. "To me, you're nothing." With a derisive laugh, Odalys strode away, leaving Edie clutching her throat and trembling.

How terrifying, Edie thought, watching Odalys's retreating figure with a growing sense of dread. She had planned to intimidate Odalys, only to be humiliated and nearly strangled to death in return. "She's a demon. A complete monster. Unbelievable! What a bumpkin, no manners whatsoever!" Edie muttered through gritted teeth, her voice tinged with fury and fear.

Odalys didn't even pause or look back, her steps calm and composed. Edie slumped back into her car and shakily dialed a number on her phone. Not long after, an ambulance arrived, and the paramedics helped her inside and whisked her off to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Odalys climbed the stairs back to the villa, her stride steady. As she reached the landing, she spotted Percival standing there, fresh from a shower. His damp hair glistened under the lights, droplets of water shimmering down his neck. He stood at the top of the stairs, gazing down at her with an unreadable expression. Odalys arched an eyebrow.