Due to the unexpected turn of events, James waspletely preupied with Sophie, paying no


    attention to how Nichole was faring.


    As the auction came to an end, Sophie was about to leave and bumped right into James and Nichole.


    “Sophie, if you don’t understand real estate, you shouldn’t stir up trouble,” James said bluntly, not


    sparing Sophie any face.


    Nichole chimed in, “Yeah, Sophie, your actions just cost Mr. Burke ten billion.”


    Sophie chuckled lightly. “You must be mistaken, Ms. Nichole. I was the one interested in buying that


    property. What does it have to do with James?”


    Nichole blurted out, “But you bid ten billion!”


    “It’s just a mere ten billion, pocket change for us,” came a voice from nearby. It was Adler.


    Sophie caught a glimpse of Colby standing next to Adler andmented nonchntly, “Ten billion is


    just something to y around with.”


    Nichole’s face turned sour instantly. Ten billion might be nothing to James and even less so to Sophie!


    Nichole’s face turned beet red, feeling utterly insignificant among them.


    Out of the blue, Colby asked, “I heard you got married, Mr. Burke. Is this youngdy Mrs. Burke?”


    Nichole was flustered and stammered, “No, no…”


    “This is my wife, Sophie, James said as he pulled Sophie closer to him.


    Sophie tried to casually shake off James’ grip, but he held on tightly.


    James had noticed Colby’s gaze lingering on Sophie. Men understood men; he instantly recognized


    Colby’s intentions.


    “So, Ms. Sophie is actually your wife. Oh, my, what was I thinking? I saw you joking around with this


    youngdy during the auction and thought she must be Mrs. Burke,” Adler pped his forehead. “Then


    this fady must be your secretary, Mr. Burke. No wonder she was bidding on your behalf earlier.”


    Sophie almost couldn’t helpughing. Although she no longer cared about Nichole and James, hearing


    Adler say that secretly delighted her.


    Meanwhile, Nichole’s face was alternating between pale and flushed. James noticed this and


    instructed, “Colt, take Nichole home.”


    “Yes, Mr. Burke.”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Adler said cheerfully, “We’ll leave you to it then. See you around.”


    After Adler and Colby left, Sophie finally shook off James’ hand. “Haven’t you had enough of holding


    my hand?”


    James did not expect Sophie to break away from his grasp. Previously, Sophie would have relished


    any physical contact with him. She even followed him around like a shadow. Tonight, however, Sophie


    seemedpletely different from before.


    Finally, James said coldly. “If you were trying to get my attention, there was no need to go to such


    lengths.”


    13:14


    Sophie was left speechless by his remark. She wanted to argue back but didn’t know where to begin.


    After all, considering how much she used to care about James, it was usible that she might have


    done something like this to catch his eye.


    However, that wasn’t the case now.


    Annoyed, Sophie responded dismissively, “Think whatever you want.”


    “Wait.”


    “What now?”


    “What’s going on with you and Colby?”


    “Nothing is happening. I don’t even know him.”


    James said icily, “Sophie, remember, you are Mrs. Burke in public. You’d better mind your status and


    keep your distance from other men.”