Chapter 11
“Don’t worry about it.” Odalys said her tone light and carefree. “It’s just a variety show. Not like I’m gonna lose a chunk officer i
Besides, it’s on a deserted island–might as well treat it like a vacation. You’ll
She grabbed her medicine box and, without a second thought, turned and gracefully headed upstairs
Percival stood still, watching her retreating figure. He didn’t look away for a long while before finally bearing his gaze of her and thoughts
Just then, Callum approached, holding an itad. He stepped forward respectfully and spoke up. “Mr. Stewart, I’ve handled everything with dar projects Henry’s been working on. He 11lar drowning in work for the next finde schule, so po pond to verurry about him”
“Mm.” Percival muttered a low acknowledgment, barely paying attention as he checked his watch
It was around the time the poison usually started to art up. Hut to his surprise, turne wo
frowned, held his breath for a moment, then walked toward the garden
Callum quickly fell into step behind him.
“Any new findings?” Percival asked, his voice soft but laced with impatience.
Callum mmmediately responded, “Yes, I looked into it Odalys was bought back to Crownridge by the Bennett family sewen nanthu apo
“Before that she’d never been here. After guang missing, she was taken inhyaman. She never left the incuntain until she came back in the dicharit family
From the investigation, it seemed that Odalys had no connection to the polson that had been affecting him and her. But somehow, she hat instantly recognized it and even managed to help him control its effects
Is it just a stroke of medical genius, or is there more to the story? Percival wondered
Callum hesitated before asking. Do you want ni
it nie to keep digon?!”
Considering Odalys was now married into the Stewart family, even if they hadn’t officially tied the kont yet, things were already complicated. In found out he was investigating her past, things could go south real fast.
“No need,” Percival sud, his voice colder than ice “If it’s fair, then life, I’ll accept it. But whoever’s beland itas, whoever dared to mess with my family—trust me, I’ll find them and make them regret it. Til take care of it before I die”
“Understood,” Callum replied quietly, his tone matching the weight of Percivals
Percival was a genius–he’d graduated with two PhDs by 15, took over the Stewart family at 16, and had led it to become a global powerline
By 20, he was the world’s richest man. Now, at 28, he was at the top of the game, controlling everything. But despite all his brains and power. someone managed to poison him. Someone was clearly out to get him.
Callum, still unsure, finally spoke up after a long pause. “Mr. Stewart, what if the Bennett family catches wind of what we’re doing? What if they think we’re turning against them! Could it cause problems with Mr. Evander Stewart?
Percival stopped walking and slowly turned to face Callum, his eyes sharp and unreadable, as if he could see straight through him. “Sia mannthis agri, my grandfather suggested this marriage.
“The Bennett family took full advantage, demanding a billion–dollar project in exchange. Now, they change their minds and send me an unimportant daughter instead.”
“Do they really
ly think the Stewart family is weak? Or do they think Odalys will come in murry me, and newer leave alive?” His er was low, ye
or yet filled with divban
“Whatever gaine
the Bennett family is playing. Odalys is now part of the Stewart family. Whether I live or die, whriller she can fix any condition or not, I’ll be damned if I let anyone—especially the Remens–bully anyone in my family. I won’t let that happen” Percival’s words were fitul, rach one cutting through the air like a blade.
The Stewarts were known for protecting their own–and Percival was no different.
It looks like the Bennett family miscalculated,” Calliam said
wry grin, his voice almost amused
As for the marriage arrangement, the Bennetts had assumed that by sending Odalys to the Stewarts, the family world swallow their pride and over
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Chapter 11
mention it again.
After all, when the marriage was first set up, there had been no stipulation that the bride had to be someone from the Bennett family
Odalys
was their flesh and blood, so they felt they had leverage. With that, they’d become bolder, pushing their luck and assuming they could get away with whatever they wanted.
They thought that no matter how much trouble Odalys Stone caused, the Stewarts would never stand up for her. They were wrong
Upstairs in the bedroom. Odalys was fully focused on mixing the herbs. As the night crept in, the ream was slowly swallowed by darkness.
“Ugh.” she let out a soft groan, rubbing her stiff neck. She tried to get up from the carpet, hut after sitting in the same position for so long, her legs were completely numb.
She wobbled, then fell back down. With a sigh, she just gave in and lay flat letting the calming herbal scent ease her restless thoughts. Glancing at her phone, she saw three missed calls from Henry.
Odalys didn’t bother calling back. Instead, she opened her contacts, only to be struck by the realization–she didn’t have a single friend in this bustling city of Crownridge
“Ha. Odalys Stone, you’re such an idiot, she thought to herself with a bitter laugh, recalling how she’d bent over backward to please everyone in the Bennen family just for a bit of family affection–while neglecting herself completely
Now she was stuck in this mess. Seven months had gone by in a blink, and she hadn’t made a single friend. Tan’t that a complete failure?” she wondered.
Her phone vibrated, breaking her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and immediately hir decline.
ny calls? Call me back, now.]
Finnian’s message popped up right after. Why aren’t you answering my
A wave of irritation washed over Odalys. When he saw she hadn’t responded, he sent another message: [Pick up. We need to talk
She rubbed her temples, then glanced at the incoming call again. Without hesitation, she blocked the number. The messages kept coming, but she didn’t even look at them.
A soft but insistent knock at the door.
Odalys turned her head and, with a sigh, got up from the carpet. She grabbed the medicine pouch and walked over to the door. When she opened it, Dorian was standing there, looking as respectful as ever.
“Mrs. Stewart, dinner is ready,” he said, his tone polite and subdued.
Odalys inhaled the smell of the food and looked past him to see a table full of delicious dishes set up in the side hall.
“Mr. Stewart told me not to disturb you, but since it’s already seven. I figured you might be hungry, so I went ahead and brought the food up. Would you like to eat now? Dorian’s voice was quiet but respectful, alinost deferential.
Odalys was a bit taken aback. In the Stewart mansion, whether it was the butler or the staff, everyone treated her with politeness, never once looking down on her despite the whole ‘marriage of convenience” situation.
“Alright, I’m starving anyway,” she said, her voice soft. She handed the medicine pouch to Dorian.
“This is the medicine I’ve prepared. Make sure Percival soaks it for half an hour before bed every night. If he forgets, the toxins in his body will rebound. The suppressed poison will come back even stronger, and it could kill him,” she said, her tone suddenly serious
Doman’s face changed instantly. He grabbed the medicine pouch like it was precious, looking worried.
“Mrs. Stewart, what should we do if the poison flares up unexpectedly?” he asked, his voice anxious as he followed her inside, clearly on edge
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