Chapter 556

“It’s related to the drug dealer who provoked me during my livestream. After he was subdued, his underlings fled,” Odalys said. “They’re trying to avenge Lee, and I have a feeling an old acquaintance is fueling the fire.”

Percival remained silent. After a long while, he lowered his eyes to meet Odalys’s. His thin lips brushed against her ear as he whispered something. Odalys didn’t make a sound, but her heart sank.

“He should go to hell if that’s true,” she said coldly.

Just then, Zoe ran from the kitchen. The repairman attempted to flee, but Odalys kicked him in the leg. A thud, combined with the repairman's groan, filled the air. His neck was then wrapped with a thick rope. Zoe tightened one end, tossed the other over a ceiling iron bar, and tied a knot.

“Ouch!” The repairman was hoisted into the air. The rope around his neck forced him to stand on tiptoe to breathe.

“How dare you target my kid and me! Stand on tiptoe if you don’t want to die—though I don’t mind if you do,” Zoe said fiercely.

Seeing this, Odalys clapped her hands in approval. Purple-faced, the repairman struggled to remain on tiptoe. He would become breathless the moment his soles touched the floor. Soon, exhausted, he could no longer pay attention to Odalys and Percival’s conversation. He might die in this apartment if distracted.

Too bad! he thought, regretting his actions against Zoe, whom he now considered monstrous.

After her discussion with Percival, Odalys whispered to Zoe. After Zoe nodded, the Stewarts walked to the doorway. Percival kicked the door, and the sound echoed in the corridor.

“Mrs. Hersey, since Lee is away, goodbye,” Odalys said loudly, her voice echoing down the hall.

Percival added, “See you later. Keep in touch.”

“Wait, I’ll see you off!” Zoe hurried over.

Odalys waved her off. “No, you don’t have to. We’ll come again after Lee gets off work. Do you mind if we dine here tonight?”

“Of course not. Do come,” Zoe said, slamming the door shut with a bang. The deafening noise echoed through the hallway.

The corner of Odalys’s mouth twitched at Zoe’s strength. The Stewarts turned, walked to the elevator, and descended to the ground floor. They got into their car. Percival started the engine and drove away.

Shortly after the car disappeared, a figure emerged from the darkness, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He didn’t go upstairs until he was certain the Stewarts were gone. Not far away, several figures emerged, dragging several suitcases.

The door to Lee’s apartment was kicked open. Zoe screamed in fright. Holding a fruit knife, she was aghast at the invasion of the burly men. With a clang, her knife hit the floor. She retreated a few steps and fell onto the sofa.

“Who are you? Why did you break into my house? It’s trespassing! I’m calling the police!” she threatened, panicked. Her phone was swatted away as she tried to call.

“Mommy!” Norah, from her bedroom, was carried into the living room by an intruder. She cried in fear, clutching the small snake Odalys had given her. Awakened by the commotion, the snake opened its eyes, displeasure evident as it flicked its tongue at the men in black.

“Let go of my daughter!” Zoe cried, pouncing to reclaim her daughter. One intruder grabbed Zoe by the neck and lifted her. The repairman had fainted from lack of oxygen.

“Kill him,” the lead man said. The moment the repairman was released, a burly intruder picked up the fruit knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. Blood smeared the floor. The lead man stood by the window, glanced outside, then drew the curtains.

“You! It’s you!” Zoe stared at the lead man. “Aren’t you the guy who messed around with Sophia on that variety show? Your surname is Larkin, isn’t it?”

Hearing this, Finnian was surprised. He rubbed his stubbly chin—he hadn’t been able to wash since his operation—looking messy and a far cry from his previous image.

“You know me?” Finnian walked over, glancing at Zoe and Norah. A twisted smile spread across his face.

“Eww, Mommy, his breath stinks!” Norah exclaimed in shock. A foul odor emanated from Finnian’s mouth. Intimidated, the snake recoiled in Norah’s arms and hid beneath her clothes.

Finnian’s face froze. Infuriated by Norah’s observation, he ordered, “Get them out of here.”

Immediately, the burly men pushed Zoe and Norah out of the apartment, covering their mouths with black tape. They forced them to use the stairwell instead of the elevator. On the floor below Lee’s, they opened an apartment with a key and entered.

Zoe’s eyes widened. She knew the apartment’s owner: Grace Hacker, who had often ridiculed her out of jealousy, spreading rumors about Lee and Odalys. At one time, Zoe had doubted Lee's fidelity. After Lee's confession and Norah's rescue by Odalys, she had stopped speaking to Grace. To her surprise, Grace was now collaborating with these criminals.

“Mmm,” Norah groaned as she was thrown onto the sofa. A female voice came from behind. Zoe looked back and saw Grace, in a sexy slip dress, yawning as she leaned against her bedroom doorframe.

“You better go. Don’t arouse suspicion,” Grace said, looking at Finnian with dissatisfaction.

Finnian strode over, pinning Grace to the door with his arm around her slender waist.

“Are you telling me what to do?” he said coldly.