Chapter 602

Before Percival could speak, Odalys forcefully slammed the door shut. Not far away, Evander and Dorian peered out from behind a tree.

"Did you offend her?" Evander asked urgently. He hurried over with his cup, Callum close behind. He never expected a morning tea break to lead to such juicy gossip. Odalys rarely slammed doors; this incident left Evander uneasy.

"Mr. Stewart, what happened?" Callum asked, sweating profusely. Dorian remained where he was, subconsciously glancing toward Odalys's bedroom. From the window, he saw her tightly drawing the curtains, as if shutting out the world.

"I don't think so," Percival finally said after a long silence, shaking his head in response to Evander's question. Odalys hadn't seemed angry when she left. Besides, the amount Percival gave Henry was insignificant. He'd intended to use Henry to pressure the Bennett Group, forcing the mastermind into the open. Prolonging the situation wouldn't solve anything. The Bennett family was in disarray, but the true culprits remained hidden. Brandon and Oliver seemed to have ulterior motives, but likely served as mere pawns.

"Hey, you brat! Go coax her! Women need coaxing! I went out of my way to help you find a wife. What am I supposed to do if you lose her?" Evander worried, his anxiety evident as he stamped his feet, wanting to kick Percival.

"Grandpa, you're overreacting. We didn't fight," Percival said helplessly, falling silent under Evander's angry gaze. He glanced thoughtfully toward Odalys's bedroom, lightly rubbing his fingers. Without a word, he headed upstairs, leaving the others to stare until he disappeared.

"What is Henry doing at our house so early? He's affecting the relationship between the married couple," Evander grumbled, running a hand through his hair. He detested the Bennett family, wishing they'd vanish.

"Henry's sudden visit suggests the Bennett family needs the Stewarts' help. They're not ready to give up," Callum observed thoughtfully. Evander and Dorian remained silent.

Meanwhile, Odalys returned to her room, scrolling through news on her phone, oblivious to the wild scenarios the others downstairs were concocting.

"Are you free now?" Odalys called Francis.

On the other end, Francis answered, immediately heading to the bathroom. Closing the door, he whispered, "I just finished a scene. I'm on break now."

"I told you your last name, Ziegler, attracts negative energy, so you changed it to Zephyr. Have you been having nightmares since?" Odalys asked.

Lately, Francis had experienced strange occurrences.

"Yes. What's stranger is a voice urging me to change my name back. I don't know why," Francis said, the thought persisting like an obsession.

"Your current name shouldn't attract negative energy. Someone on set is stirring trouble, or your old name benefits certain people who want you to revert," Odalys deduced. "You're orphaned. Your last name shouldn't matter." She'd inexplicably thought of Francis after meeting Henry.

"What should I do?" Francis asked, feeling nervous. Leaning against the door, he heard his own heartbeat in the quiet bathroom, his palms sweating.

"After filming, during your lunch break, call Freya, Selala, and Stellan. Didn't I give you each a talisman? Have them put their talismans in your room. Put yours under your pillow. Don't go anywhere in the afternoon; nap at 12 noon sharp," Odalys instructed.

Francis, anxious and uneasy, replied in a hoarse voice, "Okay." He gripped his phone so tightly the case almost deformed. Though outwardly calm, he was nervous.

"Aren't you afraid I'm setting you up?" Odalys asked, sensing his nervous breathing. Francis, tense but restrained, chuckled.

"If not for you, I'd be dead at the hands of my ex-girlfriend and manager. Besides, I know you. Even if you mess up, I won't give up," Francis said. "Something's wrong. I feel this suffocating pressure; I can't ignore it."

He'd hesitated to tell Odalys, fearing it would burden her, but now he confided in her.

"Since you trust me, do as I say. Let them put the talismans in your room," Odalys said.

"Got it," Francis replied.

After hanging up, Francis splashed cold water on his face. Opening the bathroom door, he saw a fleeting figure. "Who is it?" He hurried out, but the hallway was empty. Frowning thoughtfully, he proceeded to the dressing room.

While eating mango pudding, Freya and Selah discussed celebrity gossip. "I can't believe she's still posting selfies," Freya remarked.

"Who?" Stellan asked, approaching after changing. Freya, handing over her phone, said, "Sophia. After the last incident, she lost fans. I thought she'd keep a low profile."

"Unexpectedly, she posted a selfie, saying she wants a fresh start, claiming the incident was innocent," Freya said disdainfully. She'd seen shameless people, but not this shameless.

Stellan glanced at the phone. "Looks like Sophia's playing the victim, hoping to shift the focus."

Selah frowned. "So negative publicity is still publicity? Even with the Bennett family's resources depleted, can she make a comeback?"