Chapter 434 Onon gripped the steering wheel tightly , his fingers suddenly loosening as he sucked in a sharp breath .
His towering frame slumped back into the seat as he processed Percivals words .
It felt as though an invisible net was closing in on him from all directions Because of your hypothesis from ten years ago , youve allowed Edie to nin wild , using the Stewart familys resources to prop up the Simpson family , Percivals voice echoed through the phone .
Youre setting a trap for them , trying to prove whether your hypothesis was real , or are you just preparing for whats to conse ? Orsons mind raced .
He knew Percivals thoughts , but he didnt push for more answers .
What Orson didnt realize was that Percival had spent all these years preparing , not just for the present , but for the validation of a theory hed kept hidden all along .
Orson snapped his fingers .
Nice .
You dont have to worry .
Ill protect Odalys , even if it means my life .
I wont let a single hair on her head be harmed .
Orson said , his voice suddenly filled with resolve .
He went on to recount the details of his day : how Odalys had intimidated Edie and probed into her mind , how she had exposed Sophias true nature , and how hed collected hair and blood samples from both Sophia and Henry .
He also mentioned Odalys suspicion that Henry was somehow meant for Sophia .
Percival listened in silence , before falling into a heavy quiet .
Percival ! Are you still there ? Orson asked after a long pause .
He hadnt heard anything from the other end .
Did she see Edie and Sophias minds and not tell you ? Percivals voice came back , tinged with disbelief .
Yes Orson replied .
I get the feeling Odalys is on the ver verge of making a big decision .
Im worried … theres a sense that danger is on the horizon Orsons concern was palpable , but he didnt want to seem like he didnt trust Percivals judgment .
I understand .
Percival responded, his tone clipped .
Without waiting for Orson to reply , he ended the call abruptly .
Percival ! Percival Damn it , he hung up ! Orson cursed , staring at the phone .
He tried calling back , but the line wouldnt connect .
Whether it was a poor signal or something else , he couldnt tell Restlessness gnawed at him as he rubbed his temples , trying to calm his racing thoughts .
Damn it , Odalys did say shed handle Percivals safety .
Why am I still worried ? Im probably just overthinking things , Orson muttered to himself .
But as soon as he thought about what Percival had said the Simpson villa didnt exist it hit him like a bolt of lightning .
His heart skipped a beat .
Without another thought , he slammed his foot on the gas pedal and sped toward Odalys company .
When he arrived and parked the car , he saw someone leaving after placing candles inside .
Orson quickly made his way inside , his footsteps hurried .
Grandpa , he called , his voice somewhat strained .
Evander was seated , wiping down a table and rearranging the candles beside him with a quiet precision .
Whats going on ? Why the rush ? Evander asked without looking up .
Orson quickly closed the door behind him , then walked over to Evander and , in a low voice , recounted everything Percival had just told him .
Evander listened without saying a word , his expression impassive .
What should we do now ? Do we need to come up with a strategy ! Orson asked , his tone uneasy .
While Orson couldnt make any decisions about the Stewart family , he couldnt afford to just sit back and let Percival handle things alone .
With his medical background , Orson knew he could navigate a lot of challenges , but when it came to the family business and politics , he needed Evanders guidance .
Evander took his time , pouring a cup of coffee , then handed it to to Orion Orson drank it quickly , not paying much attention to the taste .
His nerves were on edge .
He glanced at Evander , waiting for an answer .
Grandpa , say something .
Do y you have any thoughts ? Orson pressed .
1/3 Chapter 431 Evander leaned back in his chair .
They have their own plans .
Let them handle it .
We dont need to get involved .
Orson stared at Evander , stunned .
He couldnt believe what he was hearing Youre not going to do anything ? What if the Simpson family makes their move ? Percivals not in Crownridge , and the news is being tightly controlled .
But The Simpson family has been eyeing The Stewart family for a while now .
If they catch wind of something , it could spiral out of control Tm worried about them coming after you and Odalys Orson added , his voice tinged with real concern .
It wasnt that he lacked the ability or the will to act be just needed The Stewart familys backing I promised Odalys that I wouldnt leave the house or get involved in anything other than business of matters concerning the Stewart Villa Evander replied calmly .
Onson blinked in disbelief , has mind struggling to process his grandfathers words .
He placed his coffee cup down on the table , his thoughts swirling in confusion .
He and Evander sat in silence for a long while , both deep in their on reflections Anything that happens , you cant just take it at face value , and you cant rush into things .
Youll only walk into someone elses trap that Patience is key Evander finally said , breaking the silence .
Orson sat frozen , struck by his grandfathers wisdom .
It wasnt until now that he realized how much he had let his worries cloud his judgment , He had almost made a critical mistake .
It was strange .
Just sitting here , in this calm atmosphere , with the coffee and the company , it felt like his mind had settled .
Light a candle for the ancestors , Evander said , breaking the moment of contemplation He gestured for Orson to wash his hands and then pass him the candles Orson didnt dare to waste age time .
He hurriedly grabbed a candle and attempted to place it properly .
But as soon as he tried to set it in place , it tilted .
and his nerves got the better of him .
He frantically tried to straighten it , but in his haste , melted wax dripped down onto his hand burning him .
He instinctively pulled his hand away , and the candle toppled , hitting the floor with a soft thud .
Sorry Im terrible at lighting candles .
1 Im just nervous , Orson muttered , flustered .
He quickly crouched down to pick it up and try again , but before he could , Evander moved in silently , taking the candle from his hand .
Without a word , he turned and placed it in the candle holder perfectly , without it tilting .
Orson froze , a strange sensation creeping up his spine .
Something about the way it had happened felt … off .
He couldnt shake the eerie feeling growing in his gut Grandpa , Ill head out now , Orson said , his voice laced with uncertainty , He had intended to stay and finish the task , but something told him it wasnt worth it The immediate priority was getting other matters sorted .
There were bigger issues to address , and lingering on candles wasnt going to help Still , he couldnt ignore the nagging feeling that something was wrong .
His team had yet to report back on Oliver .
It was already two hours , and there was still no news .
With his vast network , finding someone in Crownridge shouldnt be this hard .
The delay was too strange .
Wait , Evander called out just as Orson turned to leave Orson paused , confused , laut complied and turned back .
Ill call Odalys Exander said , pulling out his phone in a hurry Just as Orson was about to respond , a strange note came from outside the room .
He turned quickly , but the hallway was empty .
Before he could make sense of it, something suddenly flew toward him .
Reacting instinctively , Orson jerked backward , trying to block whatever was coming .
It was a knife gleaming in eyes widened in shock as in sliced through the air toward him .
sunlight , sharp and deadly .
His He barely had time to raise his arm in defense when the blade came down , aiming straight for his wrist .
The hand he used to protect himself was 11.47 PM c ch Chapter 431 his most valuable asset if that were to be damaged , everything he worked for would be destroyed .
In that moment , everything else faded away .
The only thing that mattered was the incoming threat .