Chapter 505

“How should I put this? The bond of family is like a strong, solid thread connecting two people. But the thread between you and Edie is different; it feels hollow,” Odalys said. She explained, “In other words, a connection exists, but it isn't real. It's almost illusory. To say there's no connection wouldn't be entirely true, but it barely exists.”

“From the beginning,” she continued, “I felt that thread would snap with a little force.”

“Why is it hollow? If family ties are solid, doesn’t that mean Edie is his mother?” Freya exclaimed, visibly agitated. She couldn’t stand Edie’s arrogance, especially after Edie’s attempt to manipulate her, including luring her into buying cursed property. Freya still hadn’t processed that incident, and resentment lingered.

Before Odalys could respond, a loud knocking came from outside, interrupting the discussion.

“Who is it?” Freya demanded, displeasure evident in her voice. For actors, their trailers were private spaces, and unless it was urgent, no one knocked without calling first.

The person outside didn't respond and continued knocking.

“I’ll get it,” Freya said, clearly annoyed. Tossing a throw pillow aside, she got up, marched to the door, and flung it open.

Dazzling sunlight poured in. Freya tilted her head and saw a familiar figure: a woman in a modified gown and shawl. Her thick hair was styled in large waves; she wore heavy, delicate makeup, and a strong perfume scent emanated from her, giving the impression of a wealthy woman.

“Edie, what are you doing here?” Freya’s eyes welled with anger. She glared at Edie as if at a sworn enemy, immediately raising her foot and kicking her.

“You!” Edie exclaimed, maintaining an arrogant expression. She hadn’t expected Freya’s violent outburst. The kick caught her off guard, sending her tumbling down the trailer steps.

Edie screamed as she fell. Before she could rise, Freya, having kicked off her heels, leaped down and pinned her to the ground.

“How dare you knock on my trailer door! How dare you ruin my mood! How dare you!” Freya shouted, appearing unhinged. She raised her hand and slapped Edie. Edie retaliated by grabbing Freya’s collar, but Freya bit down hard on her wrist.

Edie winced in pain as blood oozed. Freya bit even harder, seemingly trying to break the bone. Realizing Freya’s derangement, Edie tried to kick her away, but Freya shifted her weight, slamming herself onto Edie’s stomach. Edie’s legs, mid-kick, were pinned, leaving her writhing in pain, clutching her abdomen.

After her recent miscarriage, Henry hadn’t given her time to recuperate. Much had happened recently, leaving Edie constantly fatigued, especially in the late autumn. Despite the relatively mild weather, she was bundled in a thick shawl.

“Edie, let go of me!” Freya yelled. Edie grabbed something and tried to hit Freya on the head.

Odalys stepped out just in time to see Edie’s movement. Without hesitation, she kicked one of Freya’s discarded high heels at Edie. The shoe struck Edie’s wrist hard, then her face.

Freya’s eyes burned with fury. She grabbed Edie’s hair and landed a powerful punch. Edie’s vision blurred. Freya grabbed her waist, twisted it hard, and said, “That’s for your sneak attack! Did you think I wouldn’t figure out you drugged Odalys last time? If I weren’t a decent person, I’d give you a couple of shots myself. Damn it, you bitch!” She spat on Edie’s face.

Edie’s ears rang, and her head spun. Just as she managed to sit up, Freya yanked the shawl from her shoulders, wrapped it tightly around her neck, and dragged her toward a nearby garbage heap.

“Stop! Let go! Let go!” Edie cried, terrified. She hadn’t expected Freya to strangle her. Her neck constricted, and breathing became difficult. She desperately reached out, hoping for Odalys’s help, but Odalys merely watched from afar.

“Trash belongs with trash. Killing you would just dirty my hands,” Freya snapped. She spat again and flung Edie into the garbage heap. Planting her hands on her hips, she cursed one last time before turning back toward the trailer.

As soon as she spotted Odalys, Freya’s fierce demeanor crumbled. “Odalys, look at what she did! She came to bully me again!” she whimpered, eyes welling with tears. She threw herself into Odalys’s arms, clinging to her waist and pouting like a wronged child. “She knocked on my trailer door! She was here to harass me or set me up again!”

“Percival, look at her! She’s causing me trouble again!” Clinging to Odalys, Freya complained to Percival.

Percival’s expression was unreadable as his gaze flicked between Freya and Odalys. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he said coolly, “It seems you’ve truly been wronged.”

“What?” Freya felt something was wrong. It seemed like he was mocking her. She silently snuggled closer to Odalys.

Then, Percival grabbed Freya’s collar, effortlessly pulling her away from Odalys. Towering over her, he blocked her from clinging to Odalys again.

“Keep your hands to yourself,” Percival said in a deep voice.

Freya shrank her shoulders. She edged behind Odalys, poking her back and whispering, “Odalys, he’s jealous. Do you think he wants to hit me? You have to protect me. I’m scared to sleep alone tonight,” she said with a sly smile. “Will you stay with me?”

She was intentionally trying to make Odalys jealous without confessing his feelings. It was the only way to motivate him to pursue Odalys. He couldn't keep chasing after her. At this thought, she silently hugged Odalys from behind, resting her cheek against her back and nuzzling playfully. “Odalys, I like you so much. If I were a man, I’d marry you in a heartbeat! You’re so soft and fragrant, and you always save me at critical moments. I’m so touched, I want to offer myself to you!” Freya teased.

Her words became increasingly suggestive, and Percival’s handsome face darkened. He thought, ‘She’s going too far!’