Chapter 282

When Odalys caught Percival's gaze, Freya quietly rose and went to the floor-to-ceiling windows. She sat cross-legged, staring out at the night.

Odalys couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Seeing her smile, Percival's thin lips moved. He asked in a deep voice, "Is everything taken care of?"

"Hub!" Odalys was caught off guard.

Noticing her glance at his wristwatch, he pointed to it and said, "It's almost midnight. Should we head back?"

Odalys quickly explained, "I'm staying here tonight to keep Freya company while she sleeps. She's frightened, and I'm sure she won't be able to sleep alone."

Freya nodded in agreement.

Percival hadn't expected her to stay. He had come to pick her up, but couldn't directly say so. Seeing she clearly didn't want to leave, he sighed inwardly.

"Alright. If anything comes up, just call," Percival said as he stood up.

He walked toward the door, and Odalys followed. Just as she was about to close the door, she saw him turn around and return.

"Something else?" Odalys asked, puzzled.

Percival gave her a lazy look and waved his hand. "Get some rest."

"Okay," Odalys replied, then slammed the door shut.

After standing outside for a moment, Percival finally went to the elevator.

As he was heading downstairs, Orson, who had just driven back, saw Percival alone. Confused, he asked, "Hey, where's Odalys? She didn't come back with you?"

The moment Orson spoke, he felt an icy chill radiating from Percival. Percival was clearly displeased.

"Hey, I'll take you home then," Orson said, grinning.

It was obvious Percival was very concerned about Odalys, but she was still just a young girl, not someone he had any romantic intentions toward.

"Don't worry, I had people look into it and keep watch. If there's any clue, we'll catch them immediately," Orson assured him.

Percival didn't respond, and the car was enveloped in an eerie silence.

That night, at the Bennett Villa, Henry and Hannah had just returned from the hospital.

They were both awake when they found Caspian and Atlas sitting in the living room, having not gone to the hospital.

"Aren't you two going to the hospital to bring food to Sophia?" Hannah asked.

Henry, furious, didn't even mention Sophia. He was ready to let her fend for herself.

"No. The hospital said she was discharged, but no one knows where she went. Her phone's off," Atlas said, scratching his head.

He looked pretty worn out. He'd always been very particular about his appearance, but now he looked disheveled, his collar askew.

"Discharged?" Hannah mused.

They couldn't just give up on Sophia. Even if she was in bad standing, a scandal still gave her some attention.

Before Hannah could say more, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught their attention.

They turned toward the door, and a tall figure walked in. Dressed in a suit and exuding the demeanor of a bodyguard, he was holding Sophia and roughly tossed her inside.

"Sophia!" Atlas gaped in shock.

He watched as the man threw Sophia to the ground, her forehead hitting the floor with a thud. Her face was bruised and showed signs of being struck; there were even visible handprints on her cheek.

"Boss sent me to inform the Bennett family that you should keep a closer eye on this adopted daughter of yours. Don't let her go around causing trouble," the bodyguard said coldly. "In the middle of the night, dressed like this? Trying to seduce Mr. Stewart! Even thinking of stripping in public? What kind of behavior is that! Stop letting her embarrass herself. Tell them that anyone who likes to seduce men is disgusting!" the bodyguard spat, sneering.

The Bennett family members instantly paled. Sophia had caused a stir in the morning, and now this.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Sophia was at the hospital today. How could she be trying to seduce a man? And who is this 'boss' you're talking about?" Atlas, unwilling to back down, immediately stood up. This involved the reputation of the Bennett family. The rest of the family remained silent, unwilling to let this slide without questions. What if it's all a misunderstanding? they wondered.

"Our Boss is the head of the Lark Group, Orson. Sophia has been working with the illegitimate son of the Lark family, Finnian. They've been secretly tracking Orson, trying to seduce him. Not only that, but they also planned to seduce Orson and, with Finnian's help, take over the Lark Group, murder the rest of the Lark family, and use their resources to help the Bennett Group rise again. The Bennett family sure has a lot of nerve, targeting the Lark family like this. Now Mr. Lark is furious. You'll have to bear the consequences yourselves." The bodyguard's tone clearly showed his anger. He was careful with his words, never mentioning Percival. The Stewart and Lark families had a long-standing relationship, and the bodyguard was familiar with both families' situations.

"How is this possible? Sophia, you're so damn stupid. How dare you provoke the Lark family?" Henry was livid, nearly losing his mind. His anger from the morning intensified. Why does she always do these shady things? he wondered.

Sophia cried, "I was thinking of the family. I don't want to see the Bennett Group suppressed to the point of no return. If the Bennett Group falls, what will happen to the rest of the family? Right now, everyone in the family is injured—Henry's hand, Mom's leg and back, Caspian is hurt too, and even I have injuries. Treating these injuries will cost a lot of money. I don't want our family to be like rats crossing the street, with everyone looking down on us. I want the Bennett family to rise again. Is that wrong?"

Her true intention wasn't that, but she naturally tried to make an excuse. This would make them feel guiltier and less likely to hold her accountable.

Henry wanted to scold her, but the words stuck in his throat. The others remained silent, and the bodyguard, looking at her with disdain, turned and walked away.

"Are you sure this is for the Bennett family, and not for yourself?" Caspian, clearly skeptical, asked. Since deciding to distance himself from the Bennett family's matters, his mind had become much clearer. It felt like everyone had their own agendas, looking for opportunities to climb the ranks, and only he knew he'd never make it.

As long as Odalys didn't budge, the Stewart family would continue to hound them. Even if they managed to ally with the Lark family, it wouldn't matter. The Lark family was reliant on the Stewart family. Despite their outward connection as old friends, the Lark family still had to look to the Stewart family for approval.

"Don't forget, it's the Stewart family that wants our heads because of the trouble we caused with Odalys. Yet, instead of trying to please the Stewart family, you're aiming for the Lark family! With this, I can't help but wonder if you're just trying to marry into a rich family, get out of the Bennett family, and let us take the blame for whatever mess you make." Caspian said with startling clarity.

Each of his words struck at the heart of Sophia's intentions, and she panicked, feeling like Caspian could see through her.