Chapter 584

He carried himself with great authority, his composure steady and unshaken. Having received instructions from Percival, the nightclub boss initially intended to eject the Bennett family. However, Percival's associates intervened, clarifying that their presence was permitted. The boss, therefore, dared not interfere.

Meanwhile, Windsor ascended the stairs and opened the door to the penthouse suite. Stepping inside, he radiated dominance; the usual gloom in his expression had noticeably lifted.

"Let's head downstairs for a drink," Freya said quickly, sensing the tension. She took Selahi's arm and began steering her from the room, glancing at Stellan and Francis as they passed. Whatever had brought Windsor here, Odalys could handle; the others' presence, however, might complicate matters.

"Good idea. Let's go have some fun," Stellan agreed.

The group departed, carefully closing the door behind them.

The penthouse suite held only Percival, Odalys, and Windsor. Windsor remained near the doorway while Odalys and Percival leaned casually against the window. A heavy silence stretched between them, punctuated only by exchanged glances. No one spoke.

"Odalys," Windsor finally said, breaking the tension. "I'm your father."

Odalys fixed him with a piercing stare, her gaze sharp and questioning, but she remained silent.

"My soul was taken," Windsor began urgently. "Three years ago, someone paid for my assassination. I refused, but the Simpson family lured me out of the country. To escape their threats, I went abroad with them."

"What I didn't expect was that the person behind the plot was from the Simpson family. They imprisoned me overseas for three years, and eventually, my spirit was severed from my body. I couldn't return, no matter what I tried."

"Everything I did before—it wasn't my true intent. I wasn't in control," Windsor said desperately.

Odalys remained silent, her expression neutral. She neither confirmed nor denied her belief.

"There was a reason we sent you away then, but I can't tell you about it yet. Just remember—don't trust anyone from the Bennett family."

"Not even Hannah," he continued. "She's under Oliver and Brandon's influence. And Sophia—she's no good either. She's capable of draining others' fortunes."

Hearing this, Odalys finally met his gaze.

Windsor stood firm, unfazed by her belief or disbelief. "If you can, stay out of the Bennett family's affairs. Disaster is coming, and I can't protect your brother and the others."

"You're the only hope for the Bennett family now," he said. "I don't want to die and leave behind a family without a future. So I'm asking you—stay out of it. Let them meet their fate."

Odalys stepped forward, her sharp eyes locked on him.

"So, which version of you is the real one?" she asked, her voice icy.

Windsor didn't reply.

Odalys moved closer. He remained still, exuding a mature presence devoid of the ruthless greed he once displayed.

"Three years ago, you slept with Sophia," she stated bluntly.

Windsor felt a wave of embarrassment. Odalys was only twenty; a young woman mentioning such left him uneasy.

"Someday, you'll understand. I don't want to prove myself, but you must know that what happens in the Bennett family isn't your responsibility. Let them face their destruction," he said.

With that, he turned and walked to the door.

"Why do you want to protect me?" Odalys asked as he reached for the handle.

"Because you're my daughter," Windsor said.

Windsor shut the door with a sharp clack, leaving Odalys and Percival alone. Odalys didn't follow him. Instead, she pulled out a chair and sat down.

"His demeanor and words are unlike the Windsor who returned from abroad," Percival observed thoughtfully. "Even if someone is acting, it's impossible to be completely flawless."

"I think I understand now," Odalys replied quietly.

Percival raised an eyebrow and quickly sat across from her.

"Wasn't he setting that trap in the countryside today? Later, I destroyed it, and he and Oliver must have suffered some backlash. After that, his body took a hit," Odalys said.

"While at the hotel, I performed a ritual from afar and struck him. Maybe by accident, I knocked whatever was attached to him loose. His survival instinct is strong, so he's back for now."

She'd already noticed the dark presence within Windsor was gone.

"So, for now, this is the real Windsor?" Percival asked.

Odalys nodded. "But he won't last long. Once the other entity regains its strength, it'll take over again."

"Sometimes when people change, it's not a complete transformation—something else might have taken over. And sometimes it's not ghosts or spirits; sometimes it's their own shadow," Odalys mused.

"Whether or not he's the real Windsor doesn't matter," Odalys continued. "He exposed Sophia's true colors publicly, and when Henry wakes up, he'll stop at nothing to go after her."

"I'm waiting for Sophia to face the consequences," Odalys said.

Percival remained silent, quietly peeling an orange and offering it to her. Odalys took the fruit and ate as she walked to the window.

"What do you think will happen now that Windsor knocked Sophia out?" Odalys asked.

Percival poured her water, handed it to her, and followed her gaze. "Wasn't Caspian meeting with that Elias who wants a posthumous marriage for his son?" he said.

"I imagine Sophia's unconscious state is the perfect opportunity for that kind of ceremony."

Odalys didn't reply. Her attention remained on the scene below. She saw Atlas helping Henry while Caspian carried Sophia. They left without resistance from the nightclub boss. The tense family dynamic deterred other patrons from interfering; no one wanted to be involved in the Bennett family drama. Most were businesspeople, and with Crownridge in chaos, they preferred to stay out of trouble. Besides, their attention had shifted to Stellan; the Drake family's business was now aligned with the Stewart family.

"Odalys," Freya's voice called out as she ascended the stairs with a glass of wine.

She opened the door to find Percival gently stroking Odalys' hair, his touch as soft as if he were handling a precious treasure. Freya froze, completely caught off guard, realizing she'd chosen the wrong moment to enter.