"Mr. Ricardo, then everything we''ve done might not stay hidden after all..."


    The secretary was somewhat fearful. They had always known Nichole wasn''t the true daughter of the Freeman family. If Mr. Briggs were to find out Nichole was an impostor, wouldn''t all their efforts have been in vain?


    Ricardo was well aware of the potential mutual destruction, but he was certainly not about to watch James emerge as the final victor.


    He said coldly, "There''s always a n B. Who''s to say I don''t have a contingency?"


    "You mean..."


    "Let''s go now. To the Freeman estate."


    "... Yes, Mr. Ricardo."


    The Cloude family''s car made its way towards the Freeman''s estate. Upon seeing Ricardo''s car, the security guard at the gate hurried forward to greet them.


    The guard bowed respectfully and said, "Mr. Ricardo, I''m terribly sorry, but Mr. Freeman isn''t home today."


    Ricardo, sitting in the backseat, rolled down the window to look at the guard and asked, "Where did Mr. Briggs go?"


    The guard, looking troubled, replied, "That... we''re not quite sure."


    "And what about Rowena?"


    "Miss Rowena went out with him, and they haven''t returned yet."


    The guard''s expression had already told Ricardo everything he needed to know. From afar, Ricardo could see the lights of the Freeman family''s mansion illuminated. Nichole and Mr. Briggs were in the living room, and James was sitting in the ce of honor. The three of them appeared to be getting along well, as if they had already be one family.


    Ricardo sneered. Everyone acted in their own interest. Mr. Briggs might talk a big game about breaking ties with the Burke family, but hecked the backbone to follow through. Now that James had proposed to marry Nichole, Mr. Briggs was all too ready to y the gracious host.


    "Let''s go, Booker"


    "Yes, Mr. Ricardo."


    As Booker turned the car around, he couldn''t help saying, "Mr. Ricardo, Mr. Briggs is really crossing the line. He''s forgotten all you''ve done for his family and the genuine effort you put into finding him a daughter just because he''s got James to lean on now..."


    "Such is human nature."


    "But without Mr. Briggs'' support, we..."


    "Enough."


    Ricardo massaged his temples, feeling a headacheing on. He hadn''t anticipated James, in his pursuit of Sophie, to actually ept someone like Nichole. "How''s Rowena doing?"


    "Ms. Rowena has been well taken care of in a vi in the countryside. She''s been cooperative, unlike Nichole."This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Good. Drive out to the countryside now and bring her back."


    "Now?" Booker nced outside at the darkening sky, asking, "Isn''t it a bitte?"


    "I said now!"


    Booker immediatelyplied, "Yes, Mr. Ricardo."


    Meanwhile, inside Sophie''s apartment, Adler had ordered a table full of takeout, and the three of them sat in silence.


    Jenna couldn''t help but steal a few nces at Sophie, who was quietly eating her dinner while browsing through the day''s financial news on her phone, seemingly indifferent to James and Nichole''s situation.


    "Where''s Colby? When is heing back?"


    "He should have been back by now."


    Adler was puzzled, too. "I already told Colby. He should have rushed back after hearing about Sophie''s situation. No idea what''s holding him up. Really doesn''t know what''s important. I''ll give him another


    push."


    Adler took out his phone and called Colby, but the response was that the call couldn''t be connected. "Damn, where is he?"


    Meanwhile


    After dining with the Freeman family, James got into his car.


    Colt mentioned, "Colby has already made arrangements."


    "Then let''s go."


    A cold glint shed in James'' eyes. He indeed wanted to have a proper talk with Colby. Since Colby had taken the initiative to meet, it was time to clear the air.


    Inside the nightclub, Colby''s men had booked the entire ce for the evening. Upon seeing James, the manager immediately led him with obsequious deference to the most luxurious private room.


    Colby''s men filled the nightclub''s corridors, and Coltmented with dissatisfaction, "What exactly does Colby intend to do? Is he trying to intimidate us?"


    Devonport had been James'' territory for many years, but a dangerous three-way power struggle emerged with Lennon stepping down and Colby stepping up.


    James, Colby, and ke, who never appeared in public.


    Inside the private room, Colby sat on the sofa, his usual arrogant demeanor apanied by a meaningful smile. "Mr. Burke, please, have a seat." His men gestured for James to sit.


    James said, "This ce is my territory. Tonight''s arrangement should have been on me."


    "Until yesterday, it was your territory,


    but from now on, it''s mine," Colby


    retorted coldly. "I''m not one for beating around the bush. You''ve made your choice. So, let''s get this divorce agreement signed today."


    Colby pushed the divorce agreement across the table to James.


    Sophie had already signed it.


    Seeing Sophie''s signature, James instinctively looked away. "And if I say I won''t sign, what then?"