Chapter 430

Sophia stood there, humiliated, her face burning with shame. Panicked, she rushed toward the police car, trying to escape the crowd's venomous gaze. Just as she neared the vehicle, someone hurled a coffee cup, hitting her squarely on the back.

A voice spat from the crowd, "I heard you've been seducing men left and right! You've turned the Bennett family into a battlefield, with the men at each other's throats. You shameless thing! Absolutely disgusting!"

The crowd erupted in jeers, pressing closer to the car. The police acted swiftly, locking the car doors as onlookers shouted and pointed at Sophia through the windows. Overwhelmed by the barrage of insults, Sophia sank into the back seat, curling up in silence, tears streaming down her face.

Lee stood nearby, watching. He exchanged a glance with Odalys, then nodded slightly before moving to the front passenger seat and getting into the car. As the police vehicle pulled away, the crowd dispersed, their murmurs fading into the distance.

Odalys was about to leave when Atlas and Caspian appeared, silent and unmoving, their eyes fixed on her with unreadable intensity.

"What is it?" Odalys asked sarcastically. "Are you here to stand up for Sophia?"

Atlas and Caspian exchanged uneasy glances. They had witnessed Sophia's lies, manipulation, and her attempt to incite Edie to commit arson. After investigating, they'd confirmed the police report: Sophia had caused the trouble and tried to manipulate Edie into a crime. If Edie hadn't had powerful connections, she might have been arrested.

Facing Odalys, their emotions were complicated. Atlas finally spoke, his tone unexpectedly sharp, "Odalys, can you stop being so bitter? We're family, aren't we? Can't we just talk calmly?"

He immediately regretted the words. He'd become accustomed to speaking condescendingly, using his manipulative tone, and couldn't find a respectful way to communicate. Their relationship had twisted, far from the familial bond it should have been. They had been a family once—or so he'd convinced himself.

"Oh, family?" Odalys's voice was cool, almost mocking. "You and me? My last name is Stone, yours is Bennett. What 'family' are you talking about?" She raised an eyebrow. "And let's not forget, Sophia is your family, not me. You're probably clinging to the Stewarts for leverage, pretending to be 'family' with me for favor. If I recall correctly, I've already sued your family for abandonment. The statute of limitations hasn't passed, so expect a summons soon enough."

She shrugged casually, but her words stung, paling Atlas's face. Her nonchalance angered him further.

"Odalys," Atlas seethed, "have some dignity! Do you think marrying into the Stewart family elevates you? You weren't even supposed to be the bride; Sophia was. You picked up the scraps after she was discarded."

"Don't flatter yourself," he continued, bitterness dripping from his voice. "If it weren't for our fear that Percival would die, you'd never have been in the Stewart family's bed. We would never have let you take her place!"

He regretted his words instantly. His anger had made him lash out, trying to hurt Odalys.

"So, you regret it because I'm the one who married into the Stewarts? Have you looked at the state of your Bennett family? Do you really think the Stewarts would be interested in you? Sophia was played by Windsor and Henry; are you guys just holding a grudge because you never got your turn? You just can't accept it, can you?" Odalys said deliberately, knowing how to push their buttons.

Chapter 430 (continued)

She enjoyed seeing them worked up, watching the Bennett family become increasingly desperate and angry.

"Odalys, waiting here was a mistake! We've given you enough respect," Atlas snapped, furious.

Things had been going from bad to worse for the Bennetts. The weight of their situation was suffocating; their emotions were unstable. Once wealthy and powerful, everything had crumbled. The helplessness and pressure were overwhelming. He felt powerless, blaming Odalys to feel better.

"Atlas," Caspian spoke sharply, his face paling as he grabbed Atlas's arm. He regretted bringing Atlas; Atlas was ruining everything with his recklessness.

"I" Atlas began, realizing his outburst had gone too far. He'd lost control and spoken without thinking. He bit his tongue and fell silent, awkwardly turning his head away.

Caspian, still marked by last night's burn, stepped forward. He stood before Odalys, his gaze complex. "Odalys, thank you for saving me last night. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. The Bennett family is in chaos; Atlas and I are leaving Bennett Villa. We've acted impulsively and hurt you. We hope you won't hold it against us. We're not asking for help, only offering peace. We were deceived by Sophia; we didn't know her true nature or that she was sabotaging you."

Caspian spoke nervously, feeling foolish. He was a Bennett heir, Odalys's older brother, yet he spoke so humbly.

"Enough. I don't want to help you. Last night was repayment, we're even. Let's not bring up the Bennetts. I'm not involved in your problems," Odalys interrupted coldly.

She understood Caspian's motives. He was the only one in the Bennett family who seemed to understand what was really going on. He'd realized something was wrong at Bennett Villa and hadn't followed Henry and the others, waiting for her instead.

Chapter 431