Chapter 482

“What should we do? We can’t just let him die here, can we? If we’re in this together, we either all go back, or we die here together,” Clarence said, his voice trembling. He didn’t even realize how much his emotions had cracked. Watching his old friend, once so full of life, reduced to a fading figure, was almost unbearable. Helplessness and confusion overwhelmed him, consuming his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Odalys watched Evander struggle against the golden light of her talisman. She knew that if he broke free, it would mean his death. Seeing the deathly aura around him, her fingers trembled.

“Grandpa,” Percival’s voice suddenly rang out—soft yet magnetic, as if awakening something in Evander. The old man’s glazed eyes slowly focused, and he lifted his head, dazed and confused.

Percival strode forward, glancing around before moving to stand beside Odalys. His eyes fixed on Evander, filled with uncontained anguish. “Odalys, what’s going on? Why is Grandpa here? What happened to him? Why does he look like this?” he asked, his voice laced with fear—a fear unlike any he had ever felt. He was terrified of losing the one person who had raised him, his last remaining family member.

Odalys answered quietly, “We must have accidentally entered a time tunnel, to the moment and place where your father’s accident occurred. Time in the tunnel is frozen. What happened before keeps happening over and over again. Every second changes, but the outcome is fixed. Outsiders can’t alter it. But your grandfather… he tried to save your father.”

“He drove in, and once inside the tunnel, he couldn’t leave. If he steps out, he will die. But he’s determined. I can’t stop him.” The only thing Odalys could do was protect him with the talisman, trying to push him back into the car. But even when she forced him in, Evander refused to leave. Once someone has lost their will to live, there’s no turning back. Evander’s desire to save a man who was already dead would only result in his own death.

“Grandpa can’t leave the car, but you and I… we can,” Percival said, his words momentarily surprising Odalys. She hadn’t considered it until he spoke. They were able to act freely in this time tunnel, something neither she nor Percival had fully understood. Odalys’s eyes lit up as she realized the possibility.

“Son!” Evander’s voice broke with raw emotion, calling out desperately. Tears streamed from his eyes as he stared at the car, trying to move toward it. At that moment, both Odalys and Percival stepped forward.

“Go back!” Odalys commanded, her voice firm. Percival nodded, stepping in sync with her. Together, they used the golden light to forcefully pull Evander back into the car. With a loud bang, Percival slammed the car door shut. Before Evander could react, Percival reached in through the window and locked the door. This was a custom-made car, with a hidden switch that only Percival could activate. Once activated, no one inside could get out or alter anything—only the car could be driven. Evander was yanked back inside with a shriek, his body crashing into the driver’s seat. Sweat poured down his face as he tried to understand what had just happened.

The pain began to overwhelm him in waves. He felt a strange sensation on his shoulder, as though his skin were peeling away. He reached up and touched it, finding blood and flesh where his skin should have been. Evander turned his head, meeting Clarence’s concerned gaze. He felt as though he had just awoken from a nightmare, as if he had been controlled by someone else.

“Evander, if you’re going to die, at least don’t do it in front of me. Do you really want to die this badly? Do you realize you almost died just now? Where is this? This is a time tunnel. What are you trying to do? If you want to save your son, what about Percival? If something happens to you, do you think Percival can handle the mess of the Stewart family on his own? Do you really want him to bear it alone! We agreed to share both the good and the bad together. If you go off and die, what am I supposed to do? You want me to die with you? At least my grandson is married, but mine is still single!”

“Next time, if you insist on dying, at least wait until my grandson is married. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace!” Clarence raged, his words dripping with frustration. He was truly heartbroken. He couldn’t believe how stubborn and reckless Evander was being. Though he was old, he still couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

“I…” Evander’s lips moved, wanting to explain, but his face was drawn and haggard, avoiding Clarence’s gaze. He quickly turned away. He glanced at Odalys and Percival standing outside the car. He tried to open the door, but it was locked. “Stay inside,” Percival’s voice came from outside.

Evander froze, his heart pounding. Percival wasn’t listening; he was walking toward a Cayenne with purpose, and Evander could only watch, paralyzed with fear. “Percival!” Evander shouted, panic flooding him. Evander had nearly died just by stepping out of the car, and now he couldn’t bear to think about what might happen if Percival acted recklessly. His anxiety was palpable as he stomped his feet in frustration. He wanted to stop him, but he felt completely helpless.

“Percival!” Odalys called out, noticing the danger, and quickly stepped forward, matching his pace. The sound of their footsteps echoed around them, hollow and eerie, sending shivers down their spines.

Percival strode ahead, standing in front of the Cayenne. He extended his trembling hands and gripped the car door, yanking it open with all his strength. Odalys, frantic, grabbed his arm. The two of them peered inside, but the darkness within was impenetrable. Before they could react, they felt an enormous hand reaching out toward them. Without thinking, Percival instinctively shielded Odalys, but the hand pushed him away with terrifying force.

The impact sent Percival flying. He had no chance to fight back, his body hurled away by the powerful push. Instinctively, he reached back and pulled Odalys toward him, pressing her head against his chest, trying to protect her. Then, in an instant, a flash of white light exploded around them.

Percival swayed unsteadily, his body rocking as the force of the light pushed him back. Odalys lost her balance and slammed into his chest with a painful grunt. Her face pressed against his broad chest; she could hear his heartbeat—loud, strong, and rapid, as if it could burst from his ribcage. The heat of his body…