Chapter 273

Once the funding is cut off, many things will inevitably fall apart. That's when they'll start getting desperate and push the plan forward. Maybe even take matters into their own hands with some powerful figure," Percival said in a low voice.

So, all he needed to do was sit back and watch.

"You want to follow the gossip trail and wait for them to make a desperate move. Once they act, you'll be able to figure out their weak spot and strike a lethal blow," Odalys speculated, guessing his line of thought.

Percival nodded.

It was easy talking to someone intelligent. He just needed to give her a hint, and she'd figure out his plan right away.

Percival looked at Odalys. Her charm was undeniable, and he swallowed, his throat bobbing. His deep-set eyes narrowed, and he instinctively looked away.

He picked up his water glass and took a sip, almost as if he were hiding something.

"What do you want me to do?" Odalys asked, placing the nearly empty water glass on the coffee table after taking a sip of her own.

Percival watched her, his eyes following her graceful movements as she drank. He glanced around the study, his gaze falling on her clear, beautiful eyes that seemed almost too mesmerizing.

He spoke. "For now, you don't need to do anything. I'm telling you all of this because I want you to stay alert. I'm worried Edie might come after you. Now that Hannah has met her, and considering how they once plotted to kill you, they're bound to be thinking of ways to harm you again. The Bennett family seems harmless now,"

"But when they're pushed to the edge, they'll do anything. These people have dark hearts. I want to have some bodyguards follow you around, keeping an eye out for your safety. What do you think?" Percival asked, seeking her opinion.

If he didn't speak directly with her, he feared she might think he was trying to have someone spy on her. Being upfront was the best approach.

"Do as you think is right. As for them trying to deal with me? That depends on whether they have the ability. Back then, I was just three or four years old and couldn't do anything about it. Now I'm grown, and they're getting older. Isn't that right?" Odalys said with a cold smirk.

She set the water glass down and stood up. She walked over to the bookshelf, pulled out a book, and casually flipped through its pages.

"I have a question," Percival said, striding over to her side.

It was already past six. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sun was setting, and the evening glow poured into the study. His tall figure stood beside her, casting a shadow that blocked the last of the sunlight.

Odalys looked up and found Percival looking down at her, his profile strikingly handsome.

"Go ahead," Odalys replied casually, leaning back against the bookshelf with a relaxed and carefree posture. Her loosely tied hair fell free as she leaned, partially hiding her beautiful face. She smiled, and her clear, bright eyes seemed to hold a sky full of stars.

Percival's eyes were full of confusion. "Why would my mother go after you? You were just a child back then. Why would she want to team up with the Bennett family and abandon you? Why even wish for your death?"

"You were just a kid, no threat to them at all. Besides, Edie isn't even a member of the Bennett family. After she married into the Stewart family, she rarely had any contact with Hannah—"

"Given their distant relationship, why would she target the Bennett family, especially when it was a three-year-old you!"

Though Percival suspected it might have something to do with Odalys' fate, he still wasn't entirely sure.

Odalys paused before speaking. "My fate is tough. It can overcome anything. In turn, what can overcome can also prosper."

"That means, if the Bennett family is in trouble, I can help clear away their bad luck. I can restrain all the negative forces around them while making them thrive."

"If I remember correctly, after I was born, the Bennett family suddenly got a huge order, expanded internationally, and even quickly climbed to the top ten on the Crownridge Rich List."

"Then strange things started happening. The Bennett family began to believe I was bringing them bad luck and that my birth was affecting their business. Maybe that's when Edie started getting involved."

"That made them believe even more that I was bad luck for the Bennett family. At first, they just abused me. But when they decided to abandon me and wish for my death, I bet Edie had a hand in that."

"As for why she wants me dead, we'll have to see what Oliver and she talked about. I originally thought Oliver was in his forties, but after checking, I found out he's nearly sixty," Odalys spoke in a low voice.

From the surveillance footage Percival had shown her earlier, it was clear that Edie was heavily reliant on Oliver. Many wealthy families in Crownridge relied on him implicitly. Those he had guided saw their businesses thrive, even making a lot of money in a short time. Some, when facing tough situations, would even approach him for help.

Yet, Oliver was known to be cautious. He helped people through difficulties, but he always played it safe. This was something that puzzled Odalys.

"About ten years ago, Oliver was still in his forties," Odalys murmured.

Percival furrowed his brow, meeting her gaze. After a moment, he asked, "Do you think Oliver and my mother are connected?"

"Did you hear about Sophia today?" Odalys asked quietly.

Percival, recalling the news from earlier that day, nodded slightly. "I heard a bit about it. It's been circulating in the circle," Percival replied.

Odalys moved to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the sunset and taking in the view, her voice still calm as she continued. "I've met Oliver once."

"He's quite charming, no doubt surrounded by many women, and they're all wealthy. These kinds of masters often have relationships with the women who come to them for star readings."

"Take today, for example. Sophia sought someone else's help, but Alden manipulated her, made her strip in public, and even raped her. They claim it's to help women clear bad luck, but really, they're taking advantage of them."

"They even say they're the true messenger of a god, able to use their body to solve the women's problems. When women are in a confused, unlucky state, they can easily fall for it."

"In the end, those women end up in bed with him, giving him leverage over them. With Oliver's immense charm, I'm sure this is part of what's going on."

"As for which rich madams he's been involved with, that's not something I know. But one thing's clear in high society: everyone turns to him, whether for star readings or energy field assessments."

"All of this is thanks to those wealthy madams. They fear that if they don't help him, their scandals might be exposed, and they'll be ruined, thrown out of their families."

"On top of that, Oliver knows how to handle things. He never asks for too much, and the rich madams are naturally pleased with him," Odalys explained.

At first, Odalys had seen Oliver as a man of integrity. But over time, she realized that while many people appeared virtuous on the outside, it was hard to tell if they were truly genuine inside.

"It looks like I need to find an opportunity for Oliver to meet with Brandon," Percival said coldly.

Brandon, his son, and Rafael had all been brought back to Crownridge by Percival's people. They were now locked in the basement, guarded by bodyguards.

"Okay," Odalys responded quietly, her gaze meeting Percival's with a touch of admiration.