Sophie extended her hand politely, but just as she was about to shake hands with Vanessa, Colby


    grabbed Sophie’s hand first and strode towards the crowd.


    Vanessa’s smile stiffened on her face. Colby didn’t even nce at her.


    “Isn’t that Mrs. Burke? How is she holding hands with Colby in public?”


    “I’ve always felt there was something unusual between them, but I didn’t expect them to get together


    before she even divorced.”


    “Wasn’t Vanessa supposed to be Colby’s fiancée? This is going to be quite the spectacle.”


    A few high–societydies nearby whispered among themselves, but the next moment, several


    bodyguards approached them. “Sorry, Mr. Colby has requested that you leave.”


    One of thedies protested angrily, “On what grounds are you asking us to leave!”


    As she spoke, she felt a chilly gaze on her, and when she turned to follow it, her bravado faded


    instantly at the sight of Colby. She was ushered out with her tail between her legs.


    Seeing this, Vanessa felt even worse. She approached Colby and said, “Colby, Mrs. Burke is a married


    woman. This is not looking good for your reputation.”


    Vanessa’s tone was intimate, and Sophie calmly withdrew her hand, “Ms. Vanessa is right, this doesn’t


    look good.”


    “Holding the hand of the woman I intend to marry doesn’t seem bad to me.” Colby took Sophie’s hand


    again, surveying the surroundings, “If anyone is gonna gossip, I have ways to silence them.”


    Tears welled up in Vanessa’s eyes, “Colby, what do you mean by that?”


    “You and Mrs. Burke, you two…”


    Vanessa looked from Sophie to Colby, confusion and helplessness evident in her eyes, At that


    moment, sensing trouble, Adler and Jenna hurried over. Adler couldn’t help saying, “Colby, Ms.


    Vanessa is fragile, don’t scare


    her.”


    Vanessa tugged at Colby’s hand in disbelief, her voice trembling, “Colby, you promised you’d take


    responsibility for me in this lifetime. How could you marry someone else, and Mrs. Burke has a


    husband. This is wrong!”


    Jenna frowned, adopting a stern sisterly demeanor, “Colby, you better exin things to Ms. Vanessa


    clearly, or I won’t be able to speak for you in front of Sophie.”


    “I did promise to take responsibility, but I didn’t mean to marry you.”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Colby’s words struck Vanessa hard, leaving her in tears.


    Jenna was taken aback, “Colby, you really promised that? You and her…”


    Sophie frowned, and at that moment, Vanessa conveniently fainted into Adler’s arms.


    “Gosh! Ms. Vanessa!”


    Adler supported Vanessa, and as Colby frowned, he quickly signaled for the security to take Vanessa


    away.


    Sophie nced at Colby and said indifferently, “Promising to take responsibility but not marrying her.


    Colby, is this what you having nothing to do with her?”


    She let go of Colby’s hand and left the party.


    meant by


    Colby wanted to exin but was stopped by Adler, “Colby, for heaven’s sake! Take care of this mess. If


    something happens to Vanessa, how are you going to exin to thete Mr. Elwood?”


    Colby pursed his lips as Vanessa was taken away in an ambnce. Jenna became furious, “Colby,


    exin yourself right now. What is going on between you and Vanessa?”


    “Did you really promise to take responsibility after…” Adler gestured subtly, expressing his doubts at


    the moment.


    Colby frowned and said, “I promised to take care of her because Mr. Elwood entrusted her to me on his


    deathbed. What are you thinking?”


    “What? Entrusted on his deathbed?” Adler thought his ears were ying tricks on him.