Chapter 511

“Odalys never desired the Stewart family’s wealth; she didn't consider their assets when she married. Those belonged to the family, not to her,” Percival said. “Since we’re married, transferring the money to you is the same as keeping it for myself. It’s our property. Plus, you can use it if you need it.”

“Besides,” he continued, “people are eyeing the Stewart family, and the future is uncertain. If this is a trap set by my father, he’s risking his life because he fears the Stewart family is in danger. If anything happens to them, you can use this money to care for Grandpa. He’s old and needs extra support. Even if nothing happens to the Stewarts, if something happens to me, the money will provide for you.” He’d arranged for every possibility. Even if the Stewart family lost everything, Odalys’s well-being would be secured.

Odalys stared at Percival, speechless, his words echoing in her ears. His gaze held hers, but she couldn't find her voice. Percival had always been kind. He’d planned her escape and secured her future.

Tears welled in Odalys’s eyes. She quickly turned away, her heart pounding frantically.

“I know,” she murmured, lowering her eyes and sipping her coffee to hide her emotions. “Actually, after returning from the junction of energy and the Time Tunnel, I sensed this was a trap set by your father. He followed Edie’s plan and died. So… our marriage might be part of his plan.” She raised her head, meeting Percival’s gaze.

“You mentioned meeting an expert in your youth,” she said. “By calculating your astrological signs, I accessed your consciousness and learned this expert was the reason you came to Bennett Villa to claim my body after my death in the previous timeline. Could this expert be my master? If so, it would explain why you found me! He knows you, and our marriage is part of the plan. Could my master know your father? Did your father bring my master to the Stewart family, or did he introduce you to my master?” She’d never considered this before, but it felt right.

“If my father knew your master,” Percival asked hoarsely, “could he have provided the astrological signs inscribed beneath the thurible?”

Their emotions ran high, their thoughts strangely in sync.

“If this is true,” Percival said quietly, his voice heavy with sadness, “does it mean my father is really gone? What kind of person would make him do this?” His love for his father was profound; he couldn’t shake the memory of his father pushing him through the Time Tunnel.

“No matter the bigger picture, if this was your master and my father’s plan, we need to make the Bennetts turn on each other and see what Edie wants,” Odalys said. “We also need to discover the source of Sophia’s Love Spell and who was behind the Bennetts. Then we might get what we want. Now that the Stewarts are being pushed to the limit, they’ll come to you for help. Then Quinton, hiding in the shadows, should finally reveal himself.” Her words overflowed with a shared sense of pride and accomplishment, forged through their experiences.

Percival nodded. Their cups clinked gently as they exchanged smiles.

“The word ‘wait’ I saw this morning means exactly what we just said,” Odalys observed. “We have to be patient. Edie was impatient today, and it only made things worse.” It was unsettling to have things out of their control, but also thrilling.

“Her motive seems to be using our family connection to manipulate me and gauge my reaction,” Odalys continued. “The Simpsons likely instigated this to test me. Or, given her personality, she wouldn’t approach me easily. She hasn’t dared to cross me all these years, so I can ignore her support of her brother.”

Odalys rubbed her cup and leaned back. Percival offered her pastries. She took a bite.

“Edie’s in a predicament,” Odalys mused, glancing at Percival. “She can’t return to the Simpsons, and with no feelings for Henry, her only option is to win more people over.”

“So she can only turn to Hannah,” Percival finished, their understanding unspoken.

“Yes, they were best friends, but they fell out,” Odalys said, resting her cheek on her hand. “Now they’re stuck and have to face each other again.”

Percival watched her, a few strands of hair momentarily hiding her face, creating a sense of distance.

“Why did you tell Grandfather to stop attending dinner parties or going out except for Stewart Villa and Magic Entertainment?” Percival asked.

“It’s about a romantic crisis,” Odalys replied instinctively.

“Huh?” Percival said. “Romantic crisis?”

“Evander, in his seventies, wouldn’t have the energy for a romantic crisis,” he said.

“It is a romantic crisis, and it has to do with women,” Odalys clarified.

Percival fell silent, the answer entirely unexpected.