Chapter 323
Stellan was surprised. Oliver entered, his expression arrogant, but upon entering Magic Entertainment, his face instantly changed.
“Something here restrains him! He and Odalys are probably enemies,” Stellan whispered. He’d heard his parents mention Oliver—a skilled and capable man who commanded respect from those seeking star readings or energy field consultations. His fees were exorbitant, starting at several million. His style was the opposite of Odalys’s; she didn't seek wealth, accepting resource exchanges or even prayers in lieu of payment.
“Let’s go back,” Francis said.
“Wait,” Stellan said, taking a clean tissue. He strode to where Oliver had vomited blood and soaked up some of the still-wet blood. He pocketed the tissue and rejoined Francis.
They found Odalys, Freya, and Selah drinking coffee and eating pastries. Unfazed by their arrival, the women didn't look up.
“Has Oliver left?” Selah asked curiously. She’d felt intensely uncomfortable around him; a feeling indescribable, yet completely unlike Odalys’s aura.
“He left feeling awful. He vomited blood after rounding the corner. Pale and frustrated, I think he’ll be back, Odalys. Be careful,” Francis said.
Stellan nodded. “Right, he vomited blood. It looked bad. I got some on this tissue. Maybe we can find out what’s going on.” He handed Odalys the blood-stained tissue.
A foul stench hit Odalys’s nostrils as she unfolded it. She sneered, placed the tissue on the altar, lit magic incense, and waved it over the blood.
With the first wave, the blood turned black. The second wave intensified the foul stench. With the third, ants and bugs swarmed the blackened blood.
The others’ faces changed, and they rushed forward. Odalys, with a backhand throw, ignited the tissue, reducing it to ashes which she flung out the door.
The speed of it all left several people stunned. Odalys returned to her chair.
Odalys whispered, “He harbored evil thoughts. Entering here triggered a backlash, severely injuring him. Another minute, and he would have died. Stellan’s blood sample confirms his illness.”
“It’s like a severe form of diabetes. Not serious, but his internal organs are damaged,” Odalys stated.
Silence fell.
“No wonder Odalys said the company has an energy field! It repels those who enter with evil intentions!” Freya gasped, realizing the gravity of Odalys’s earlier words. Oliver’s reaction had been shocking.
“Yes. The energy field connects to my mentor, purifying evil. People like Oliver shouldn’t exist,” Odalys said coldly.
“Something’s wrong with Oliver,” Francis breathed. Despite his time abroad, he knew Oliver was highly respected in Crownridge, and Odalys’s presence created a conflict.
Odalys patiently explained, “Avoid him. He has bad intentions and fosters evil thoughts. Weak-willed individuals are susceptible to his influence.” She cited Sophia drugging Finnian as an example of such influence.
“Could Sophia’s drug be connected to Oliver?” Selah whispered. Odalys looked at her, surprised.
Selah, flustered by Odalys’s gaze, stammered, “I was just guessing!”
“You’re right. The love spell Sophia used is connected to Oliver. Whether he created it, I don’t know,” Odalys revealed. The room fell silent.
“But Sophia bought a love spell… she slept with a fake magician! Could she have never met Oliver?” Freya wondered aloud, her voice low. The thought of Sophia frequently visiting Oliver’s establishment, yet not knowing what he looked like, was perplexing. The bathtub encounter felt strange.
“She was likely drugged, but she consented, so she didn’t call the police. How could Oliver take Sophia seriously?” Odalys asked.
Francis was silent.
“To subdue someone, destroy them, push them into darkness, then offer help—becoming their savior, controlling them completely,” Odalys explained.
Stellan exclaimed, “So Sophia’s ordeal was orchestrated by Oliver! He had someone deceive her, ruining her reputation!”
Chapter 323 (continued)
Stellan thought, How dark must one be to do such a thing?
“It depends on Sophia’s choices. As long as she stays away, I’m fine,” Odalys concluded.