Chapter 592
Caspian was struck by how brutal Sophia had become. He thought. How is this different from a monster? She’s practically inhuman, capable of tearing into people with her bare hands. It’s terrifying.
“No” Odalys replied, her tone measured. “The posthumous marriage is real. But Sophia isn’t the bride they’re looking for Someone died in that villa, but it wasn’t Elas’s soIL
“He’s been using
g the guise of these
hese posthumous marriages to hire families desperate for cash to sell their daughters to him!
Percival stood as they spoke, choosing not to interrupt
“You’re saying he purchases these women and then sends them to shady clubs to make n
money? Orson asked, skeptical.
Those places have high standards–height, charisma, beauty. Women bought cheaply don’t usually meet their requirements”
“Not necessarily,” Percival said. “What if he is using them for posthumous marriages! It wouldn’t be human trafficking, strictly speaking”
Onion frowned, more confused than ever
Think about it Orson continued. “In some families, parents value sons more highly than daughters, so they treat daughters as expendable. If they see an opportunity to profit by selling them off, the numbers could get staggering”
They all knew how prevalent the preference for sons still was in many communities. They’d seen families devalue their daughters and push them aside. It’s a tragedy, but it happens, Orson thought.
“By purchasing daughters from less favored families at low prices, you’re effectively buying into their resentment. That resentment can be a powerful tool to exploit Percival observed.
Orson fell silent, unsettled by the implications.
He wanted to argue, to refute, but no words came to mind. He thought. If they didn’t intend to care for these girls, why have them in the first place? Bringing them into the world only to neglect them or worse, to heat or sell them off–is beyond cruel. How could anyone treat their flesh and blood like a commodity
The sight of these people made Orson feel uncomfortable.
same kind of eye mask?” Orson murmured.
“Take a look at this Odalys suddenly said, breaking the silence. She reached into her canvas bag and pulled out a small container. “Close your Percival and Orion exchanged a glance before obliging. Odalys brushed something calm and soothing over their eyelids. “Odalys, is this
reyes
Odalys didn’t answer. Insirad, ale instructed, “Open your eyes”
As their eyes adjusted, the villa’s interior seemed to slat
before them
“Odalys, what is this?” Orson squinted, looking around. The air was teine, as though it carried the weight of lingering anguish and fury. In the distatice, faint cries echoed–likely coming from Elias, who suffered after his attackers beat him and left him behind.
“This villa hades more than it reveals. Those men might look healthy, at their time is already running out. Even if no one touches them, their sins will catch up soon. Follow me,” Odalys said.
called confidently around the mansion, heading straight for a side entrance to the basement. Without hesitation, she kicked the door open. The space before then was adorned in festive colors as if prepared for a lavish celebration.
Con the floor lay row after row of women dressed
ate gowns, their faces painted with heavy makeup. Hut they weren’t moving–each of them
sis? Orson murmured, a chill running slown his spinne
rd to examine the bodies up close. A glance at the stiffness of their faces told him they had been dead for quite some
“They’re all dead. Their parents sold these wor
women for podhumous marriages, Odalys explained.
Percival strode further into the room, his steps heavy. His sharp gare swept over the basement, the flicker of anger in his eyes intensifying as he took in the sight of sixty–eight lifeless bodies.
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Chapter 592
Young women, all under twenty, lay in neat rows. Their delicate features were set in peaceful expressions, as if they had finally found solace, even in
Odalys stood still, her breath catching. Someone dismissed sixty–eight lives as unwanted burdens. Her chest tightened as she stared at them, overcome by a sense of helplessness. It only someone had loved them. If only their lives had held more value.
These children were neither loved nor cherished by their parents. In the end, it was their parents who sent them to their deaths.
No one even questioned the purpose of their existence
“Damn it, this is worse than human traffickers. At least those women still get to keep their lives, but here they’re all killed,” Orson’s eyes blazed with fury.
Odalys let out a helpless laugh. “They didn’t die in someone else’s hands; they gave up out of despair. Abused by their parents and eventually sold here, they found a place where they could eat and stay warm.
“And so, they willingly chose posthumous marriage–chose to end their own lives. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
What a cruel irony.
At home, they suffered from hunger and cold. But once sold, they experienced a life they never dared dream of. And after enjoying it all, they found no meaning in living, choosing to die in gratiturle
It was grotesque. Tragic.
Orson’s anger boiled beneath the surface, caught between release and restraint. “So they gave them food and warmth, and that was enough to make them choose death willingly!” He clenched his fists. “But how is that any less cruel than what their parents did?”
“Odalys sighed. “That’s why I said earlier–Sophia isn’t like these women. She would never choose to die, and she’d never feel grateful to anyone just for giving her the bare minimum”
“Hut 68 women have already gone through this posthumous marriage. They’re getting greedy now, looking for higher–quality‘ women from wealthier families. That’s why Elias agreed to meet with Caspian. Her tone grew colder.
-Too bad Sophia isn’t what they’re looking for
“Percival scanned the surroundings, his sharp eyes studying the faces of the deceased women. There was something haunting about their expressions. Their faces were serene, their lips curved in faint smiles, and their brows relaxed as if they had died in bliss.
“What’s the real purpose of these posthumous marriages?” Percival asked abruptly.
“It wasn’t an ordinary posthumous marriage. The practice ensured the deceased wouldn’t be lonely in the afterlife, allowing them to rest peacefully with a partner
*Cadalys shook her head. “The purpose is to make these women willingly give up their lives so that they can serve another purpose. Before their dratlis, tary likely consumed something special. By the time they died, their souls were already gone.” She hesitated, then added, “Or rather, taken,” Percival and Orson exchanged a tense g
glance at the mention of taken souls. Anyone else would’ve fainted by now.
Orson leaned in. Its curiosity paques. “Taken What do you mean, Olalys?”
He couldn’t help the strange thrill that crept through li
him. His previous frustration faded for a moment, replaced by the excitement of uncovering
AD
