Chapter 579
Odalys frowned, her expression puzzled by Selali’s abrupt question.
“Is it that men aren’t allowed! Having one around would at least make things sater, she suggested.
Odalys thought. Freya and Selah are celebrities, especially Freya, who has a massive following. If anything were to happen, at someone to watch over them. With Percival around, troublemakers wouldn’t stand a chance.
Lat least there should
be
1
may
be the one organizing the night, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let my friend’s end up in harm’s way. I can’t stand the thought of an accident- better to avoid them entirely
“You’ve thought this through.” Selah said, nodding thoughtfully.
Soon after. Dorian brought out the dishes, and Evander waved them all over. “Come on, let’s eat,” he called warmly.
Just as everyone started gathering, Stellan and Francis arrived, perfectly timing their entrance for the meal.
After dinner, Evander froze mid–step on the staircase when he overheard their plans to visit a nightclub. He seemed ready to say something, but Odalys quickly intervened.
“Evander, don’t forget today’s plans. Odalys murmured,
Evander wondered, “Just the thought of Hannah pining over me is exhausting Who would’ve imagined that I’d still have women chasing after me at my age! Looks like I haven’t lost my charm yer.
“Percival, look after Odalys and bring a few more people with you, Evander said firmly
Selah, watching the exchange, sat frozen for a moment. She thought. ‘Most elders would disapprove of young people going out, especially someone like a daughter–in–law. Not only was Evander not upset when he heard, but he even asked Percival to protect her. This level of favoritism is beyond
words!”
Selah nigged at Odalys sleeve and leaned in, resting her chin on her shoulder. “Odalys, the Stewart family adores you.”
Odalys chuckled lightly. “Your time will come. Just wait and see just then, her phone began vibrating, echoing through the quiet villa.
Odalys glanced at the unfamiliar number before stepping outside to take the call. The moment she answered, a hurried voice came through the line.
*Ms. Stone, this is Zoe, Lee’s wife, Zoe said in an anxious tone.
Hearing the voice, Odalys immediately understood the purpose of the call.
She looked out into the night. The Stewart Villa was silenced, the staff had retreated for their dinner, and the bodyguards stayed in the shadows. She pondered. The night breeze is chilly, yet I feel unusually clear–headed.
As she stood there, lost in thought, a coat was draped over her shoulders.
Turning. Odalys saw Percival behind her. He carefully adjusted the coat before stepping away, allowing her to take her call uninterrupted.
“Zoe, I know why you’re calling. Odalys s
dys sighed. It had been over ten hours since Lee had gone missing.
“Ms. Stone, he’s missing. They said there was a mudslide in that area. Do you think he could still be alive?” Zoe’s trembling voice betrayed her fear. even though she didn’t want to hear the worst
Yet, deep down, she needed to know what had happened to Lee.
The police had just relayed the news. Lee had risked his life chasing a suspect into the woods when the mudslide struck. Strangely, the mudslide was localized, affecting only a small forest area.
By the time the officers followed his trail, it was already over. The scene was messy–trees uprooted, wild grass buried under debris, and the ground completely covered.
“Zoe, wait” Odalys said, her tone steady.
Zoe’s worry was understandable. Lee’s job as a police officer was always fraught with danger, and now he was officially declared missing
“Wait? Alright, I’ll wait, Zoe replied, her voice shaky and unsure.
Chapter 579
Every mission Lee undertook was perilous, but today felt worse. Her eyelid had been twitching constantly, and she couldn’t shake the unease in her heart.
Zoe thought. Was it because of what happened earlier? The attempted abduction of me and my child? Or something else entirely? She couldn’t tell, but her chest felt unbearably tight.
“Zoe, take care of yourself and the little one. Get something to eat–you don’t want the child going hungry. Sometimes, taking care of yourself might bring unexpected hope. If you wear yourself out, you’ll be the one who suffers later.
“Women need to be kind to themselves,” Odalys added gently.
Zoe seemed to snap out of her panic. Tm sorry. I got too caught up in my worries. I’ll make something for the baby now, I won’t disturb you. further. Thank you for what you did for me and my child today. Her voice broke with emotion before she hung up.
As the call ended. Odalys turned back toward Percival
Percival was dressed casually today, his commanding aura subdued. Standing there with his hands clasped behind his back, he seemed relaxed, his eyes closed as though resting. But he opened his eyes and looked at her at the sound of her approaching footsteps.
Under the dim light, his tall figure cast a long shadow on the ground
Odalys glanced at his shadow on the ground, a playful grin forming as she raised her foot and stepped or it. When Percival shifted slightly, she followed, stepping on his shadow again.
It was like they were playing a game. Percival watched as she focused intently on the shifting shadow, her playful movements light and deliberate,
His eyes softened, and his affection almost spilled over. His body shifted slightly, teasing her into following. Just as she lifted her foot again to catch his shadow, she abruptly stopped.
“Percival, she called his name abruptly.
Percival stopped in his tracks and turned back to her immediately. “What’s going on?” he asked, concern lacing his tone, assuming she might feel
unwell
She reached out and grabbed his arm, her expression tense, her emotions barely contained.
“Do you think someone else’s soul inhabits Windsor’s body? Or could it be his own shadow instead?”
“I used to think his shadow might have replaced him, turning him into the shadow–a complete exchange between the two. But now, it seems more like us body is being controlled by someone else as if another soul forced its way in and took over.”
“What do you think it is?” Odalys asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She didn’t have t the answer herself.
Percival, far more composed, met her questioning gaze.
“Isn’t it possible that both could be true?” he said calmly. “If his shadow wanted to replace him and someone else’s soul sought control simultaneously, they might have aligned.
They could have shared the same goal and reached a consensus, working together to suppress Windsor’s true self.
“I looked into Windsor three years ago. He was principled and decisive back then, completely different from the rest of the Bennet family. His actions were swift and efficient–not the kind of person who would get entangled with someone like Sophia.
“And there’s the matter of the Bennett family’s legacy. Percival added. “The Bennett family’s business was his inheritance. Yet he abandoned it and lived abroad for three years. The Bennett family was in ruins when he finally returned, but he didn’t care about restoring its legacy. Instead, he kept entangling himself in constant disputes with Sophia and others.
“Such behavior doesn’t reflect the image of a businessman. It’s more like he’s an entirely different person. Even now, with Oliver and Brandon
resid
n with v
erspect
