Chapter 531
“Remember the setup I created for you before, where you encountered a ghost in the corridor?” Odalys asked.
Francis nodded quickly.
Odalys took the drink Percival had poured and took a large gulp. Then she said, “Your ex-girlfriend’s fiancé’s last name is Simpson. Moreover, someone used that method to deceive many men—including you. Many fell for it. The vehicle at Film Capital’s hotel was a surgical vehicle. Surgery could be performed inside, and then the body disposed of. The police have destroyed many of them.
“But it’s clear this is a powerful organization. They need young men with suitable astrological signs to continue this… lifestyle. And tonight, in the illusion, you saw your ex-girlfriend and agent. I suspect this organization is connected to Brandon’s ancestor. Although the man is dead, his ambition isn’t. He doesn’t want to leave this world; he wants to complete some mission posthumously. I killed him, but I always felt he had something up his sleeve. That kind of person is terrifying. Like a ghost, he’s everywhere. I scattered his soul, but fragments might still exist.
“You’ve been targeted. Be careful. Oliver is seriously injured and can’t deal with you for now, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe,” Odalys said.
Francis fell silent.
“There’s more?” Francis asked, startled. He quickly gulped wine to calm his nerves.
“I haven’t found the organization yet. But there’s your ex-girlfriend’s fiancé, Simpson. Nothing is over. Finding suitable astrological signs and young bodies is difficult, so they won’t give up after targeting you,” Odalys explained.
Freya hurriedly raised her hand. “This time, a ghost appeared and sought him out at Film Capital. Will this happen again?”
Francis listened, his posture straightening. He couldn’t deny he was scared. It’s said men don’t panic, but everyone would panic facing this.
“He shouldn’t dare to return soon. Ordinary ghosts flee when they see him; after all, he destroyed Brandon’s ancestor’s soul in the illusion,” Odalys said.
Francis breathed a sigh of relief.
“Life and death are predetermined. The worst-case scenario is death. But if I survive, I will fight them to the end,” Francis declared, emboldened.
Stellan raised his glass. “To you not dying tonight!” he quipped.
Selah and Freya also raised their glasses. “Congratulations on escaping death!”
“Thank you, Mr. Stewart, Odalys, and Mr. Lark. I’m alive tonight because of you. My life is yours. Anything I can do, I will,” Francis said.
Orson stood up and put his arm around Francis’s shoulders. “In that case, let’s drink!”
“Yes, another drink!” Stellan added.
The atmosphere became harmonious; everyone cheered. However, the night market stall was empty. No one else was nearby.
Odalys moved closer to Percival as she ate. “You… you bought out the whole place?” she asked softly. A night market stall wouldn’t be empty at night; Percival must have booked it.
“Yes. It’s not convenient to discuss this with many people around,” Percival said. The fewer people who knew, the better.
“Is the vendor one of yours?” Odalys asked, pointing. Percival’s calm demeanor suggested he was.
“Odalys, you’re so smart,” Percival chuckled. He hadn’t said anything, yet she’d seen through it.
Percival moved his chair closer. “I had someone look into it. Francis’s ex-girlfriend joined an organization—or training course—that trains women to become ‘socialites.’ They have clear goals—assigned tasks: whom to seduce, when to strike. They use the name of a training course, but they precisely manipulate their targets. Francis is one. These courses are secretive; ordinary people are rejected.
“My team discovered they match individuals based on astrological signs. Those deemed unsuitable are offered a generous sum to leave, which boosts their popularity. Some, persuaded to quit, recommend others. It’s brainwashing, like a pyramid scheme,” Percival explained in a low voice.
Odalys listened quietly. Eventually, the others quieted down as well.
“Socialite training course? There must be many of these,” Freya gasped, horrified. They specifically trained women to tempt men, lure them in, and then claim a brother needed an organ donation. Men, infatuated, tried to save their future brothers-in-law, only to have their organs removed. They not only lost their lives but also failed to obtain the women. Who could resist such a conspiracy?
“I’ve identified over 200 targets. Their current partners all come from this program. The organization has brainwashed many girls, making them dream of marrying into wealth. These men are all in good condition: celebrities like Francis, wealthy businessmen, officials, self-made men, even professors,” Percival continued.
Selah gasped, quickly eating a sausage to calm herself.
“That’s terrifying. This ‘sick brother-in-law’… Simpson, right?” Selah said, regaining her composure.
Percival nodded. “Yes.”
“Stay away from anyone named Simpson. Wait… isn’t Henry’s wife’s last name Simpson?” Selah blurted out.
Stellan narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Stewart, forgive my bluntness…”
This cleaned-up version corrects grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure while maintaining the original narrative. It also addresses inconsistencies in character names and dialogue. Some minor stylistic choices were made for clarity and flow.