Chapter 271
Odalys’s attention was still on the gifts as she absentmindedly said, “I’m done.”
“Then let’s go home,” Percival replied in a husky tone.
It was easy to detect a trace of happiness in his voice as if he genuinely looked forward to going home.
In the past, Percival never cared much about home, but now, it seemed like he wanted to go back every single day.
“Sure,” Odalys answered softly.
She pulled out her phone, snapped a picture, and posted it in the group chat. [Why are all of you sending me gifts?]
[Congrats on your booming business!]
[Exactly. Here’s to endless fortune coming your way.]
[May you flourish like a ruby, bright, dazzling, and full of joy.]
[Wishing you massive success!]
One by one, her friends chimed in with their messages.
Odalys looked at the flood of replies and couldn’t help but smile.
She had never had friends before. Even after her time travel, she hadn’t thought of making any. Yet, somehow, she’d stumbled into having real friendships. For the first time, she understood the happiness of sharing meals and moments with friends.
Back in the days when she lived with the Bennett family, they consumed every moment of her time. Even when Odalys was supposed to be resting, they’d demand she return home.
It was as if the Bennett family wanted to keep her locked inside their villa, completely isolated from the outside world.
After years of this, Odalys had become accustomed to their control. Perhaps it could even be called self–destructive. She had wholly submitted to their domineering rules.
It was quite terrible.
“Earlier, when Hannah took Sophia to the hospital, she secretly met with Edie,” Percival interjected, clearly trying to start a conversation with her. Hearing him refer to Edie by name surprised Odalys.
“They’re that eager to connect? Haven’t they been pretending not to know each other all these years?” she asked, astonished.
After years of silence, now they suddenly decided to meet.
“Take a look at this,” Percival said, handing her his phone.
Odalys took it and tapped on the video. The moment she heard the conversation, her world was turned upside down.
“This… Are they seriously targeting you first, and now that they think you’re dead, they’re setting their sights on your grandfather?” she said. “Edie’s your mother, and Evander’s your grandfather. What’s going through her head?”
“Not to mention, Hannah’s in her forties, yet she’s planning to have a baby with your seventy–something–year–old grandfather? And my father’s not even dead yet!” Odalys exclaimed, utterly dumbfounded.
She had never seen anyone so shameless. To achieve her goals, Hannah was willing to seduce a man nearly twice her age.
“I’d like to know whether it’s the Stewart family fortune they’re after or something else entirely,” Percival replied coldly.
Hearing this, Odalys thought of Brandon and his son, her fingertips involuntarily tightening.
“Have you confirmed whether the health conditions of those wealthy businessmen from the village match the symptoms we found on the list?” she
asked in a low voice.
Percival gripped the steering wheel and skillfully made a sharp turn, heading straight toward the Stewart Villa.
The sleek black Maybach cruised along the long road, flanked by towering, orderly trees that cast shadows over the path. As they neared the end of
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Chapter 271
the driveway, the gates opened automatically.
Percival drove through, pulling up to the front door.
“We’ve uncovered a few leads. Orson is verifying them to see if they match what we know about Stellan’s father,” he said.
Percival’s team worked efficiently.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Odalys‘ phone buzzed with a notification.
She glanced down to see a news alert from the Stewart Group’s official website. She wasn’t particularly interested but tapped it instinctively.
“The Stewart Group’s official site… issued a statement cutting ties with Edie?” Odalys exclaimed in disbelief.
Typically, announcements on the site pertained to internal company matters, rarely involving personal affairs. What was more, Edie was Percival’s mother, a figure of prominence and status.
“I asked them to post it,” Percival said in a deep voice.
The two of them walked side by side, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow on their surroundings. Their elongated shadows intertwined as they moved.
“You want to cut ties with her?” Odalys asked, clearly surprised.
Percival stopped abruptly, turning to meet her gaze with a serious expression. “I won’t let her hurt you. Whether it’s you or my grandfather, I’ll protect both of you. Last night, she rushed over just to test if I was truly alive.”
His voice grew colder as he continued, “When she learned I’d been in trouble, there wasn’t a trace of sadness. Instead, she had my grandfather’s leg broken and tried to conspire with outsiders to exploit him.”
“If I don’t sever ties with someone as ruthless as her, she’ll become a bigger threat down the line.” He spoke with conviction.
Percival knew exactly who was genuine and who wasn’t.
“I did protect her before,” he admitted honestly. “After my father’s accident, I thought she had it tough as a widow. I even turned a blind eye when she used the Stewart family’s connections and resources to pave the way for my uncle.
“But now, it’s clear. She doesn’t value the Stewart family or see us as her family. So, I don’t need her anymore.”
His honesty left no room for doubt. For Percival, being transparent was a sign of trust in their relationship.
Odalys murmured quietly, “Not everyone can see things as clearly as you do. If I’d been this decisive before I time traveled, maybe I wouldn’t have died. If I hadn’t died, neither would you. Staying clear–headed is crucial.”
She was sure that Percival died when she time–traveled. Because before she time-traveled, Selah had also died.
She quickened her pace, feeling an inexplicable urgency to get back.
Percival caught fragments of what she said, something about her dying and him dying too, but her voice was so faint that he wasn’t entirely sure if he’d heard her correctly.
“You’re back?” Evander’s voice echoed from the living room as he stepped out.
Evander had spent the entire night praying and decided to wait at the Stewart Villa instead of heading back to the mansion. He hadn’t expected the
two to return so soon.
“Hi, Mr. Stewart,” Odalys greeted, speeding up as she approached him.
Evander stood tall and imposing, his broad frame exuding an air of authority. Despite his age, his presence remained commanding.
“I heard your company opened today,” Evander said warmly. “I wanted to drop by and join the celebration, but you had so many guests that ! couldn’t even get in. He smiled. “Come on. I will cook you a nice dinner tonight.”
Noticing Percival trailing behind her, Evander frowned slightly and added. “And you, how could you not make any effort? Today was a big day for Odalys‘ company!”
He sounded genuinely exasperated, even stamping his foot for emphasis.
