Chapter 543

Sophia had seduced Windsor, and Hannah caught her in the act. Despite this, they were now walking together amicably, shocking Odalys. She hadn't expected Hannah to be so forgiving. "Her husband was seduced, yet she remains friendly with the other woman," Odalys mused. "Hannah is incredibly generous."

Sophia, noticing Odalys's lack of a smile, pouted. "Odalys, why aren't you smiling? You were so happy when you were talking to us just now. Why the change now that Mom and I are here?" She pulled Hannah closer.

Odalys, arms crossed behind her back, stared coldly at the approaching pair. "Did you two become friends again after being love rivals?" she asked sarcastically.

Sophia's eyes welled up at the mockery. Biting her lip, she choked out, "Odalys, do you have a problem with me? How could Mom and I be love rivals? What happened was a misunderstanding."

Hannah, instead of comforting Sophia, intently stared at Odalys, her gaze lingering on her necklace. Remembering she used to wear that necklace herself, anger and frustration surged within her.

"What's with that look? Do you even see me, your mother? I came all this way; aren't you going to invite me in for coffee?" Hannah fumed, her anger flaring at the sight of Odalys. She couldn't explain it; seeing Odalys sparked an inexplicable rage. A deep-seated anger, seemingly dormant, ignited at her presence. Even Hannah was surprised by this intense, immediate reaction; she wanted to be close to Odalys, yet this inexplicable emotion overwhelmed her.

Celeste's voice cut through the tension. "Oh! Mrs. Bennett. If I didn't know better, I'd think a high-ranking official was inspecting us. How arrogant you are." Celeste prayed daily and, seeing the scene, hurried over, worried Odalys would be taken advantage of. Nearly tripping in her haste, she gracefully positioned herself in front of Odalys. "Mrs. Bennett, your temper is terrible. You shouldn't come to pray; you should go to the hospital—or someone else will steal your husband!" she added, her eyes suddenly focusing on Sophia. "Didn't you say she slept with your husband? Are you two back together? Planning a threesome?"

Hannah was taken aback by Celeste's mockery. The Tillery family, financially powerful and prominent, dwarfed the Bennetts. Hannah had repeatedly tried to befriend them, to no avail. The thought of these haughty Tillerys defending Odalys was incredulous.

Chapter 513

Hannah had recently heard rumors of a friendship between the Tillerys and Odalys, of Odalys saving Blossom's life. It seemed the rumors were true.

"You" Hannah was speechless with rage. She'd intended to harass Odalys, but Celeste's arrival changed everything. She dared not anger Celeste; the vindictive woman could bankrupt, even destroy, the Bennett family.

Ignoring Hannah and Sophia, Odalys addressed Celeste. "Mrs. Tillery, please come in for coffee."

Celeste produced an ancient emerald from her Louis Vuitton handbag. "Odalys, look! This ancient emerald belonged to my father-in-law. He said it's over ten thousand years old. He gave it to me last night when he saw Blossom, and asked me to give it to you. He's not well and doesn't go out much, so please don't mind." She pressed the emerald into Odalys's hand, concern etched on her face.

Odalys was about to refuse; she never accepted things that didn't belong to her, especially something so valuable. But the moment she touched it, images flooded her mind—images of herself and Percival in the 1920s.

Celeste noticed the change in Odalys's expression. "Odalys, what's wrong? Are you alright?" She quickly offered assistance.

Odalys stared at the emerald, a deep green transparency, like a hypnotic pool. She unconsciously clutched it tightly. "I'm fine, but it's too valuable," she croaked. Yet, she felt a strange connection, not to its value, but to memories from the 1920s, as if it were hers.

"Oswald said it belonged to an official's wife in the 1920s, who disappeared overnight," Celeste murmured, puzzled. "Her house burned down, and only the emerald remained. Oswald’s been treasuring it, reluctant to part with it, but he insisted I give it to you today." She genuinely didn't want the emerald herself and readily gave it to Odalys, whom both she and Sienna adored, secretly wanting to adopt her as a goddaughter but fearing offense.

"Then I'll take it," Odalys said, a bitter note in her voice. She yearned to uncover the mysteries of the 1920s. "Did the house catch fire accidentally? Or was someone locked inside and burned alive, leaving only the emerald?"

"Just take it! I'll tell Oswald you liked it; he'll be thrilled," Celeste beamed.

Hannah and Sophia watched, their eyes fixed on the ancient emerald in Odalys's hand.