Chapter 397

Freya sensed something was wrong with Edie. Everyone knew of Edie's blatant devotion to her brother. She projected an image of unwavering loyalty to the Simpson family, but Freya doubted its sincerity. Odalys fell silent after hearing this.

Freya said, "Odalys, don't be reckless! I don't think this will be easy. If you're aware of the danger, perhaps you should talk to my brother—our safety, even if you don't want to. Don't forget, the Stewart family has your back."

Odalys stared at Freya, her lips moving silently. It seemed no one but the Stewart family had ever spoken to her like this. She was accustomed to facing danger alone. Percival and Evander had both said similar things since she became a substitute bride, and now Freya had echoed them. The feeling was subtle, yet it felt as if something inside her had shattered.

"Okay," Odalys whispered, her voice mirroring her mood.

Only then did Freya reach out, cupping Odalys's face and gently rubbing it. "You're a great sister-in-law."

"What?" Odalys was startled. Freya, three years older, had never felt comfortable calling Odalys sister-in-law before.

"You are my sister-in-law," Freya smiled, her eyes crinkling. She hugged herself happily and glanced at Odalys. "If Percival dares to bully you in the future, I won't let him off."

Freya realized how corny that sounded, shrugged, and ran toward Selah, waving over her shoulder. "You should go back quickly."

Odalys stood beneath the streetlight, holding the takeout box, staring blankly after them. Their voices faded as they walked away, until they disappeared from sight. A gust of wind blew; when Odalys looked up, Stellan was gone. She turned, her delicate face colliding with something solid.

Odalys mumbled, burying her face in a wall of muscle. The familiar scent and strong heartbeat confirmed it was Percival.

"Did you hit your nose? Are you hurt?" Percival asked, hearing her mumble. Panic crossed his face as he examined her, taking the takeout box from her. His eyes showed concern.

Odalys covered her nose and shook her head. "Why are you here? I didn't even hear you coming."

Percival looked at her, noticing the redness on her nose. He gently rubbed it, relieved to find no injury.

"I saw you talking to Freya and didn't want to interrupt," Percival explained. "I didn't expect you to turn around so suddenly." His gaze fell to her hand, where she wore the ring she'd put away earlier. He hadn't expected her to wear it again so soon; the luster seemed different.

Noticing his gaze, Odalys quickly showed him the ring. "I sensed something was wrong with Freya, so I went to the studio. There, I ran into Rafael, the old man from the village. Edie had ordered him to hurt Freya, but I stopped him," she explained, giving him a concise account of the day's events.

Percival listened quietly. He'd already heard about the incident. He hadn't expected her to tell him. "It's for the best that he's dead. After all the evil he's done, a quick death is a mercy. As for Edie, Callum's been keeping an eye on her. From her arrest to the Stewart family contacting the police, we've been tracking everything and identified all of the Simpson family's spies."

Odalys was astonished. She hadn't expected Percival to use this incident to take down the Simpson family's police spies.

"You planned everything—from her arson to her arrest?" Odalys was surprised, but considering Percival's intelligence, it made sense. He was always strategic, never acting without a plan.

Percival said coldly, "Controlling the Simpson family and rooting out their mastermind has always been part of the plan. We allowed Edie to remain free and arrogant, leading the Simpson family to believe the Stewarts were infinitely tolerant and wouldn't crack down."

"When they're most complacent, the Stewarts will take back everything Edie gave them." He wasn't tolerating Edie; he was waiting for her to cross an intolerable line. Then he would cut all ties. He'd given her countless chances. After she crossed the line, she could no longer blame the Stewarts for being ruthless.

"It seems Edie overestimated her hold on you! No wonder she dared to have a flash marriage with Henry and even forced you to give her gifts and shares," Odalys smiled, wondering if Edie would be devastated to learn of Percival's plan. "Holding someone up only to tear them down—she was too complacent," Percival said.

They walked toward the car. Percival put the takeout in the trunk and naturally picked up the food she'd packed. Odalys got into the passenger seat. As she fastened her seatbelt, she saw a cake. Surprise registered on her face as she fell into thought.

"Thought you'd like it," Percival said, sitting in the driver's seat. Seeing her gaze, he handed her the cake. The small cake made her fingers tremble. Today was the day the Bennett family abandoned her; only her mentor remembered.

9:54 PM Chapter 397

Later, she changed her birthday to today, to mark the Bennett family's abandonment, a hatred she would always remember. Unexpectedly, he bought her a cake.

Percival said, "When you made the revelation and asked Officer Cantrell to retrieve the records, I found your birthday coincided with the day you were abandoned by the Bennett family. I guessed you might want to remember this day. I want you to have a good day. If this cake can sweeten your heart, that's good."

Odalys fell silent, turning away, her eyes red-rimmed. Her lips moved, but she couldn't speak, her throat constricted.