Mr. Devin signaled for everyone to clear the area, making space for Sophie and James.


    “Come with me.” Leaving behind these words, James headed towards the main entrance first.


    Mr. Devin kept eye contact with Sophie, who took a deep breath and followed James.


    “What exactly are you trying to do?”


    Sophie asked from behind her tone somewhat unfriendly. She had thought that she could temporarily


    avoid James bying to Aldridge Global. Yet, to her surprise, James had followed her here.


    “Let’s talk in the car.”


    James opened the car door, inviting Sophie in


    Sophie felt helpless.


    After all, how could she resist when money


    y was involved?


    From Mr. Devin’s beaming smile, she knew that James nned to invest a significant amount in


    Aldridge Global


    Recently, she had dealt a blow to James using S Corporation, but James had quickly revitalized Burke


    International. For James to stand


    his ground in Devonport, there must be some hidden forces behind him that she was unaware of.


    Sophie took the passenger seat, and James naturally reached over to buckle her seatbelt, which she


    instinctively dodged.


    The atmosphere in the car was a bit tense, and Sophie said lightly, “I can do it myself.”


    *Alright.


    The two sat in silence for a while.


    Sophie broke the silence. “Why did you want to see me?”


    Today is your birthday.”


    “Is it? I had forgotten.”


    Sophie couldn’t remember thest time she celebrated her birthday.


    As the daughter of the Russell family, she was supposed to host a grand birthday party every year like


    any other socialite. But ever since she lost her parents, birthdays lost their meaning to her.


    Sophie looked out the window.


    James said. “In the past years, I haven’t properly celebrated your birthday, but this year…


    “Mr. Burke, you must be joking. In the past years, we were only fiancé and fiancée.”


    Back then, she always eagerly followed James, who found her annoying and always found excuses to


    avoid meeting her.


    She wasn’t oblivious, yet she still foolishly approached him.


    Sophie vividly remembered her birthday during the first year of her marriage to James in her previous


    life. She had wanted James to spend her birthday with her, but James had excused himself, iming


    he was busy.


    The following year, when Nichole was studying abroad, Sophie was shocked to learn that Nichole’s


    casual wish to celebrate her birthday with James led him to drop his work and fly overseas to be with


    her.


    That was when she realized that James‘ excuses for being busy were j


    just that. When there was genuine care and affection, how could


    there be so many obstacles?


    In her previous life, James gave all his affection to Nichole


    The car stopped at an amusement park.


    Sophie got out, expecting James to take her to a fancy restaurant, but to her surprise, he led her to the


    amusement park instead.


    Sophie couldn’t help butugh at the sight “James, what are you thinking?”


    “I thought you might like it.”


    RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    “Boring


    Sophie turned to leave, but James said, “This investment is worth a billion. Just let me spend the day


    with you on your birthday, and 111 have Colt finalize this partnership”