Chapter 544

"How is that possible? How could the Tillery family give the ancient emerald to her?" Hannah's chest heaved, her expression darkening furiously. She looked as if she could devour someone whole. Sophia's eyes overflowed with jealousy. She desperately wanted to curry favor with the wealthy women, but they ignored her. Odalys, however, needed no such efforts; they fawned over her, showering her with gifts. The emerald's inestimable value was undeniable.

"Mom, what is the ancient emerald?" Sophia asked hesitantly.

Hannah shook off Sophia's hand in disgust, though she needed her help and didn't entirely rebuff her. "This ancient emerald is a Tillery family heirloom," she explained. "Legend says it saved the life of a Tillery ancestor, who passed it down, ultimately entrusting it to Oswald."

"It's said that possessing this emerald signifies eligibility to inherit the Tillery family—making the owner its head," Hannah continued, gritting her teeth. "The Tillery family recognizes Odalys and intends to hand over the family to her."

The thought enraged Hannah. She longed to seize the emerald. "Control of the Tillery family? Their inheritance? What's so special about Odalys? Why would they give it to her? Does she have a connection to them, or did she cast some spell?" Sophia fretted. The Tillery family's wealth was immense. Even without seizing control, gaining their favor would be a significant boon for the Bennett family, a chance for a comeback. She couldn't imagine what would happen if Odalys inherited the entire family.

Panic seizing her, Sophia lunged forward, attempting to knock the emerald from Odalys's hand. If it broke, Odalys would offend the Tillery family. With that thought, she made her move.

"No!"

Sophia's lunge was met with an unseen force. She was flung back, never reaching Odalys. Landing hard, her mind blanked. Staring at Odalys in a daze, she murmured, "How is this possible? I can't get through?"

Her pathetic attempts to rise drew a flicker of disgust from Hannah. Remembering Sophia's betrayal—her affair with Windsor after Hannah had raised and pampered her, even intending to hand over the Bennett family—hatred welled in Hannah's eyes. Sophia's pathetic state, however, brought a brief, quickly concealed, satisfaction.

"Mom, I can't get in," Sophia whimpered, her voice trembling.

Hannah's disgust intensified. "We can't get in? Are they defending against us? I don't believe Odalys is powerful enough to create a barrier," Hannah declared, striding forward.

Initially unimpeded, she soon encountered a powerful force that held her back, choking her and stealing her breath. Her eyes widened, feeling as if they might burst. The suffocation intensified, freezing her in place. A searing pain, like needles pricking her skin, spread through her body.

The intense pain consumed her. Cold sweat beaded on Hannah's forehead, as images of Odalys as a child flooded her mind. She saw Odalys's small face, flushed and peering from a car window. Hannah then saw herself opening the car door and kicking Odalys out.

"Ouch," a young Odalys cried, falling to the ground, her knees burning. Her pants torn, she stared at the people in the car with wide, questioning eyes.

Hannah's expression darkened. "We're going home to pick up your brother. Wait here; we'll be back," she said before Windsor sped away.

As night fell, the snow intensified. Hannah saw the small figure, buried almost completely by snow, then saw Odalys dragging her injured knee, chasing after the car. Hannah only rolled up the window, refusing to look back. Until the small figure fell into the snow and could not rise.

These memories echoed in Hannah's mind. "No, it wasn't me," she whispered, terrified to confront her past. The suffocating feeling intensified, like a thick layer of snow pressing on her chest.

"No," she gasped. An invisible force propelled her back, landing her about 1.5 feet away. Her knees hit the ground, pain radiating through her body. Her pants tore, and blood welled.

Her face paled. She stared back at Magic Entertainment in disbelief. "It's impossible. I have to go in," she muttered, rising again.

She rushed forward, but an unseen barrier flung her back harder than before. She fell with a crash, her bones seeming to break, cold sweat pouring from her brow.

Terror filled her heart as she stared at Magic Entertainment. She couldn't understand why these long-forgotten memories suddenly resurfaced, threatening to drown her. What she didn't expect was that Odalys wouldn't even allow her to take a step inside.

"Mom, are you alright?" Sophia asked, a flicker of delight crossing her face at Hannah's injury. Concealing her glee, she feigned concern, helping Hannah to her feet.

"I can't believe Odalys refused to let us in! She must have done something to keep us out. Celeste got in, and so did other fans. Why not us?" Hannah raged, refusing to surrender. In her mind, Odalys was her daughter and should not have treated her so. "I gave Odalys her life. Everything she has belongs to me! How can she hurt me like this? She's an ungrateful wretch!"

"She must have done something wicked. She's terrifying. She must have deceived those who come to pray," Sophia added, fanning the flames.

Hannah's chest heaved with rage. She was about to curse when a luxurious Mercedes-Benz G-Class slowly approached. The car stopped before Magic Entertainment, and a tall figure in a gray suit emerged. Despite his age, the man radiated an air of nobility.