Chapter 6
Everyone said Percival was a goner. Terminal A man circling the drain, lucky if he w
sw out the month. But her reaction was cool as a cucumber, Like
none of in manered.
And yet. Odalys’s words landed like a punch to the gut, leaving him shaken in a way he hadn’t expected.
His throat moved as he swallowed hard, giving her a small nod. His voice was low, steady. “Sente in. Make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, talk to Dorian. Whatever it is, they’ll sort it out. No fuss.”
With that, Percival turned and strode toward the door, his broad shoulders cutting a path of unshakable authority.
Odalys tilted her head, her gaze following him as he walked away. Surprise flickered in her eyes, quick but unmistakable.
She’d been ready for him to push back, maybe even scoff at her audacity. Her words, that list–either should ve sparked questions. But he hadn‘ even blinked. Hed taken in all at face value, trusting her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“What kind of man does that calm under pressure, rock–solid, the picture of maturity, she thought. He wasn’t anything like the flashy, spoiled hers she’d come across before
But that kind of composure wasn’t just strength–in hinted at something deeper. This was a man with layers, sharp as a knife, and just as dangerous.
In truth, she barely remembered Percival Back then, she hadn’t even lived long mough to meet him. She’d died before their arranged marriage could take place.
All she knew was what people said, the Stewart family was untouchable, the pinnacle of wealth and power in Crownridge. But their empire had started crumbling under the weight of Percival’s illness.
Had he recovered in the end? She bonestly had no clue.
Her gaze lingered on the door for a moment longer before she let out a small breath and dropped onto the bed.
The peace didn’t last. Her phone buzzed–a sharp ding, u the last. Every single message was from the Bennetts
then another, then another. Notifications poured in like a storm, each one more biting than
Some demanded explanations Why’d you piss of Hannah Bennett Why’d you take the betrothal gifts!)
Others didn’t even bother with pretense, accusing her outright: [You bullied Sophia to the point of attempting suicide. What kind of monster are
Odalys stared at the screen, her face emotionless. Inside, she felt nothing. Whatever ties she’d once had to the Bennetts had died right along with
her.
But these messages! They weren’t just noise. They were a cold reminders breaking free from the Bennetts wasn’t just about walking away. If she wanted her freedom, she’d have to burn every last bridge.
Without missing a beat, she dialed her assistant. “It’s me. Since joining the Bennett Group, how many contracts have I signed?”
The response
was immediate, curt, and dripping with disdain. “Contracts! Oh, you mean those insurance forms? Just a few, nothing major.
Her chest tightened. Memories surfaced, hazy but undeniable. She’d signed papers when she first returned to the Bennet family, believing they were standard insurance forms. But now, the truth was glaringly obvious.
“Send me copies of everything I’ve signed,” she said, her voice sharp enough to cut
The assistant let out an audible sigh before the call ended abruptly. A few minutes later, her inbox pinged with an email.
Odalys opened the file, her fingers trembling. She skimmed through the documents, her heart sinking deeper with every line she read. They erer the high–value accident insurance policies. And the beneficiary was always the same: Sophia Bennett
Her breath hitched. If something happened to her–an accident, a “tragedy–Sophia would walk away with a staggering 70 million dollars. She felt cold all over in her past, she’d gone to her grave without ever knowing any of this.
All those times they’d pushed her, comered her, and humiliated her? That wasn’t about the wedding. They didn’t want her married. They
her dead!
y wanted
It all made seme now. From the moment she stepped foot back into the Bennett household, they’d never planned on letting her walk out alive.
Her chest tightened, a dull ache that had nothing to do with shock. It was heartbreak, plain and simple. These weren’t strangers; they were
her
Chapter 6
But why? Why the hell would they do this?” The twoghat banned in her wound, relentless and batter. Tin their laughter, their real, flesh–anul blood daughter. The one they spent years searching for. What could possibly justify this kind of bemayal? Is it really all on the danim nuincy!!
Her hand trembled as she opened the final document the contract she’il signed with fennett Entertainment. The terms were dear, the agreement was set forspire in two weeks that if she wanted out early, she’d or then a jaw–dropping billion in damages.
“Damn ut” Odalys bolted upright from the bed, her blood boiling. The Bennens shamelessness was inforkating enough, but what really stung was home stupid she of been in the past. Gullible. Naive, A sitting dock for their schemes.
Her phone burred, cutting through her age. She watched it up, and her assistant’s that toe greeted her. “We’s got you signed up for a variety show. You start tumorrow. By the time it’s done, your contract will be up“.
Odalys’s eyes narmed. The words cavity shoe sent a prikle of unease through her. She wasn’t thumb enough to think this was just a concilence
But break the contract? Not a chance, 100 noillion–dollar penalty was one thing, but she wasn’t giving the Bennetts even a single cent
Throwing her into a show right after an arranged marriage? The setup was obvious. They were baiting her into a trap. But Oililyvid jump in willingly—then flip the table on them.
me the details,” she said, her voice frosty. The assistant barely acknowledged her before hanging up.
Munatesbter, her inbox pinged. She opened the attachment, skinning through the information. Her brows arched slightly. This wasn’t just any variety show–it was a survival program.
Celebrates dumped on a deserted island with minimal supplies, their struggles broadcast live. Basically, a glorified Survivor
Her gaze caught on an attached document detailing an accident insurance policy. The payout was massive. A cold smile rugged at her lips. She quickly backed up the files to her entail, her eyes gleansing with mockery.
“So that’s your plan, she murmured to herself. “Marry me off, then ship me to an island where I can conveniently disappear Nice try, Bennetis“
The pieces of their plan
plan clicked into place, as clear as day,
For the past seven months, the Bennetts hadn’t treated her as hutan. They hadn’t supported her, hadn’t cared for her–they’d only seen dollar
ey could pocket the
Signing her to their company has never been about her career. It was about setting her up to fail, to breach her contract so they penalties.
And she’d fallen for it. Like a fool, she’d stayed. She’d even agreed to the marriage. And now this? Signing her up for this show was nothing but a death sentence, with the insurance money as their reward.
The sheer audacity almost made her laugh. They were desperate to get rid of her, but Odalys wasn’t the same have girl they’d played before.
Oddly enough, her mood lifted. “If they want a game, I’ll play. Let’s see who wins.
Smirking, she lay back down, letting the quiet room soothe her anger. Within minutes, she drifted into a surprisingly peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile, sunlight poured into the side hall of the Stewart estate, streaking the table with golden warmth. The room’s calm, vintage charm was abruptly disrupted by hurried footsteps
that trembled in his hand. “What the hell is this prescription? Where’d you get it? I showed it to my
A man stormed in, clutching a stack of papers th grandfather he says it works”
“This isn’t something your average quack could come up with,” he continued, his voice laced with urgency. “It won’t cure the poison, but it can suppress it for now.”
He slapped the documents onto the table and leaned forward, his excitement barely contained.
Percival sat across from him, silent. His long fingers tapped a slow rhythm against the surface of the table.
“And another thing,” the man added, his voice rising. “Your blood test results–they s show the toxin’s been partially neutralized. No way around in whoever did this is a fucking genius.
“The poison was already in your bloodstream, and they still managed to knock it back. Do you even know how insane that is
2:42 PM
Chapter 6
Orson Lark’s tone grew louder, his excitement palpable. “They said you wouldn’t last the month. But now? Hell, man, you’ve got a shot. You might actually pull through. Percival”
Percival’s gare dropped to the test results in his hand, his expression calm but unreadable. After a long moment, he reached for his iPad, handing it
over to Orson
SEND GIFT
