Chapter 400

Callum held his breath, listening.

"Mr. Stewart, are you planning to take on the Simpson family?" Callum asked in surprise.

Percival was efficient and decisive, but worked at his own pace. He never acted without certainty and never rushed to reap the rewards. This action was unlike his usual style. Percival was exceptionally patient. He planned meticulously, waited for the opportune moment, and easily won after exhausting everyone's energy.

"Well, let's start with the Bennett family," Percival conceded.

Callum nodded, vaguely uneasy. He couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease, scratching his head and subconsciously looking at Orson. Orson looked depressed, even angry, as he silently sipped his wine. Unlike usual, he remained quiet. His drinking indicated his anger.

"Okay, I'll arrange it now," Callum said, hurrying to avoid delay. He grabbed his tablet and left, his steps hurried.

After downing his drink, Orson slammed his glass on the coffee table, abruptly stood, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the door. He stopped after a few steps.

"Are you really not going to tell your wife? What if she could save you?" Orson fumed, throwing his jacket on the sofa. He was usually gentle and rarely lost his temper. Yet, tonight, he lost it in front of Percival.

"Saving me means sacrificing her. She hasn't received anything good from marrying into the Stewart family. Why should I ask her to sacrifice for me?" Percival asked, his deep, dark eyes unusually resolute.

Orson met his gaze, then turned away in defeat, slumping back onto the sofa.

"What if she doesn't have to die?" Orson asked tentatively, sensing a possible solution.

Percival's fingertips tightened, his large hand gripping the sofa armrest as he leaned back, staring silently at the ceiling. Time passed.

"She had a star reading done, seeing my past life," Percival said.

Orson was stunned. Percival had never mentioned this before; he was unaware. Hearing about Odalys's star reading made him vaguely uneasy, as if he sensed a connection to Percival's decision.

"In her past life, she chose to jump to her death at the Bennett family's doorstep before the forced marriage," Percival said slowly. Orson was shocked, staring at Percival in disbelief, as if he'd misheard.

9:55 PM Chapter 400

"I was the one who buried her body," Percival said hoarsely.

Orson felt overwhelmed. His Adam's apple bobbed. He wanted to refute it, but couldn't. He never imagined this would happen. He'd considered such things absurd. Now, hearing it from Percival, he knew it was likely true.

Percival continued, "I saw things she didn't see. Before she died, she learned I was infected with a virus and didn't have much time left. I buried her because her mentor once saved my life. So she gave her soul to save me. She said that burying her body was my gratitude, and she would do anything to repay that favor."

Orson held his breath, gripping the sofa.

Percival said, "That scene flashed before my eyes. I don't know if it was an illusion or real. However, she didn't jump off the building this time. She even took the initiative to marry me in her place and suppress the poison in my body. If the scene I saw was real, she would sacrifice herself to save me. I won't let that happen."

After he finished, Orson remained silent. The two sat quietly, the atmosphere in the study strange. Orson got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Percival.

"So her soul was destroyed because of you? Did you survive then?" Orson's voice trembled. For the first time, he believed in superstition.

As Orson finished, the door opened. Evander, in pajamas, hurried in. Glancing around, finding no sign of Odalys, he asked, "Where is Odalys? Didn't you go out with her? Why isn't she here?" He stepped forward, exasperated, standing beside Percival.

"You celebrated her birthday; you should spend time with her. You're back, but she's not in her room. You didn't upset her, did you? Percival, wives are hard to find these days. Even with money, it doesn't mean someone will marry you sincerely. Odalys is such a good person; don't dare make her angry!"

Percival frowned.

"She's not angry! I just walked her back to her room," Percival said, hurriedly standing from the sofa. Ignoring his discomfort, he strode out. Evander and Orson quickly followed. They opened Odalys's bedroom door to find it empty. The roses and gold bars had been moved.

"Could she be taking a shower?" Orson asked.

Percival went to the bathroom, opened the door, and found it empty.

"Are you sure you walked her back to her room? Where would she go in the middle of the night? I wanted to bring her a glass of milk, but she wasn't in her room. I thought you'd made her angry," Evander worried. He'd liked Odalys from the moment he saw her.

"She did go back to her room. There's water in the bathroom. She probably left after showering," Percival glanced around the bathroom.

Evander fell silent.

"She's so busy all day. No matter how important things are, she still needs to sleep! She goes to work as soon as she wakes up and works until midnight. Why is she working so hard?" Evander said heartbrokenly.

Orson and Percival looked at each other.

"Call her immediately and see if she's caught up in something. If you can help, go. If there's nothing important, tell her to go home and sleep; she needs her rest!" Evander instructed Percival.