SWNOVELS Chapter 6
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 .
Odalyss words landed like a punch to the gut , leaving him shaken in a way he hadnt 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 , theyll 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 .
Shed 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 wasnt anything like the flashy , spoiled hers shed come across before But that kind of composure wasnt 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 hadnt even lived long mough to meet him.
Shed 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 Percivals 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 didnt 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 Whyd you piss of Hannah Bennett Whyd you take the betrothal gifts ! ) Others didnt 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 shed once had to the Bennetts had died right along with her .
But these messages ! They werent just noise .
They were a cold reminders breaking free from the Bennetts wasnt just about walking away.
If she wanted her freedom , shed have to burn every last bridge .
Without missing a beat , she dialed her assistant .
Its 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 .
Shed 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 Ive 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 , shed gone to her grave without ever knowing any of this .
All those times theyd pushed her , comered her , and humiliated her ? That wasnt about the wedding .
They didnt want her married .
They her dead ! y wanted It all made seme now .
From the moment she stepped foot back into the Bennett household , theyd 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 werent 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 sheil signed with fennett Entertainment .
The terms were dear , the agreement was set forspire in two weeks that if she wanted out early , shed 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 assistants that toe greeted her .
Wes got you signed up for a variety show .
You start tumorrow .
By the time its done , your contract will be up .
Odalyss eyes narmed .
The words cavity shoe sent a prikle of unease through her .
She wasnt 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 wasnt 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 wasnt 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 thats 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 hadnt treated her as hutan .
They hadnt supported her , hadnt cared for her theyd 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 shed fallen for it .
Like a fool , shed stayed .
Shed 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 wasnt the same have girl theyd played before .
Oddly enough , her mood lifted .
If they want a game , Ill play .
Lets 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 rooms calm , vintage charm was abruptly disrupted by hurried footsteps that trembled in his hand .
What the hell is this prescription ? Whered you get it ? I showed it to my A man stormed in , clutching a stack of papers th grandfather he says it works This isnt something your average quack could come up with , he continued , his voice laced with urgency .
It wont 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 toxins 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 Larks tone grew louder , his excitement palpable .
They said you wouldnt last the month .
But now ? Hell , man , youve got a shot .
You might actually pull through .
Percival Percivals 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