Chapter 74

Odalys chewed on the pork ribs and looked at Percival, who sat opposite her. He picked up a prawn, peeled it in the bowl, and pushed it toward her. He then wiped his hands with a handkerchief before picking up his fork to eat.

She looked at the peeled prawn. Her thoughts drifted back to her previous life. In the Bennett Villa, she’d seen everyone peel prawns for Sophia. At the time, she’d been envious and asked for one, whereupon Caspian had smacked her head with a spoon. A large bump formed on her forehead, and her plate flew across the room. Afterward, she wasn't allowed to eat at the table.

After time-traveling to her current life, she still didn't understand why she'd tolerated such treatment in her previous life and why she'd felt the need to please those people. Now, she hadn't even mentioned it, yet Percival had already peeled a prawn for her.

"What's wrong?" Percival asked, noticing her staring at the plate in a daze. He reached for the plate, but she stopped him.

"I'm fine. I was just lost in thought," Odalys said. She picked up the prawn and ate it.

Only then did she realize that prawns peeled by others held no special significance.

Percival ate quietly and spoke little. He ate quickly, but his movements were exceptionally elegant, clearly indicating etiquette training.

"I've mentioned before that your poisoning is connected to your family, particularly your uncle. Your mother is also related to your uncle," Odalys said suddenly.

Percival's fingers tightened around his fork. He looked up at her, seeing Odalys eating quietly with her head down, as if she hadn't spoken. Percival's lips moved. The thought of his mother supporting his uncle darkened his eyes.

"I'll be careful," Percival replied in a low voice.

They ate in comfortable silence, finishing their meal quickly. Percival's phone vibrated. After answering the call, he stood and left. After taking two steps, he paused, turning back to Odalys. "I have something to do and need to go out. If you need anything, tell Doris."

Odalys looked at him, confused. He left hurriedly. She stood and walked to the living room sofa, picking up a strawberry and taking a bite. The sweet taste spread in her mouth.

She vaguely heard someone call her. Confused, she got up and walked out.

A bodyguard rushed in. Seeing her, he seemed to gain confidence.

"Mrs. Stewart," the bodyguard said, hurrying toward her.

"What happened?" Odalys asked, looking outside. She vaguely saw a familiar figure.

"Henry from the Bennett Group is causing a disturbance outside and wants to see you," the bodyguard whispered.

Anyone else would have been severely punished for causing trouble at the Stewart Mansion. However, Henry was Odalys's brother. Though they had different surnames, they were family, so the bodyguard could only ask for instructions.

"I'll take a look," Odalys said, walking outside. The cool night air refreshed her.

A Mercedes-Benz was parked outside the Stewart Mansion gates. Henry stood there, embarrassed and humiliated, his fists clenched as he stared inside.

"Odalys, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?" Henry shouted angrily, gritting his teeth. He hadn't expected to be barred from entry, even as Odalys's brother. The moment he stopped his car, two bodyguards had rushed over, nearly breaking his legs. They'd threatened him, demanding to know who he was and how he dared barge in. One bodyguard tackled Henry, pinning him against the car, about to kick him, before realizing he was Odalys's brother. "How unlucky," the bodyguard muttered, "I almost broke his leg. Are you sure this is Mrs. Stewart's brother?" The bodyguard then went to report. Henry's expression was grim. He rubbed his shoulders, already feeling the swelling from the bodyguards' rough handling.

"What's the matter?" Odalys asked, walking toward him.

Standing a few steps away, she gave him a cold glance. Henry was furious.

"Hurry up and come back to the hospital with me to apologize to Mom! Do you know how angry she is? Her heart almost stopped this afternoon!" Henry said angrily.

He turned, grabbing his car keys and opening the car door, only to find Odalys standing motionless, watching him.

"Odalys, what do you want? Don't forget you're from the Bennett family. Your contract is still in my hands," Henry threatened.

Odalys laughed. Walking toward him, she looked at him mockingly.

"Are you threatening me? Didn't you come to beg me? Your attitude is atrocious. Why should I go with you?" Odalys said with a smile.

Henry was furious, nearly speechless. She thinks I came to beg her? How dare she?

"Odalys, don't push it. Even married into the Stewart family, you're still a Bennett. If the Stewarts find out you returned to the Bennetts before marrying, what do you think will happen?" Henry threatened. "The Stewarts want Sophia! Once your identity is exposed, they'll kill you!"

Odalys was almost amused. She looked at him as if he were an idiot.

"Why don't you go tell them yourself? I'll have the bodyguards relay the message to Percival," Odalys said, waving to a bodyguard.

The bodyguard approached respectfully. "Mrs. Stewart, what can I do for you?"

"He has something to tell Percival," Odalys said, seeing Henry's enraged expression. She glanced at him. "I've already called him for you. Why aren't you saying anything? Should I tell him for you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Henry was seething, unable to vent his frustration. This was his trump card against Odalys. He'd thought threatening her would make her yield, allowing him to force the Stewarts to help him. He'd planned everything, except for Odalys's unexpected resistance.

(The final "SIND GIFT" appears to be unrelated and likely a typo or artifact from the original text.)