James pressed his lips together, saying, "Sophie..."


    "There''s no need for exnations, James. You''re not the type to make the same mistake twice." Sophie turned to James, stating, "To ensure our agreement proceeds smoothly, I hope you can manage your flock of admirers without causing me unnecessary trouble. Even if you can''t resist... please be discreet."


    Sophie offered James a distant smile, causing him to frown. "Does it have to be like this between us?"


    "Mr. Burke, there was never supposed to be anything between us in the first ce. We''re practically strangers, aren''t we?"


    Besides their marriage, there was nothing else between them.


    The two entered the elevator in silence until James spoke up, "Why bring up my great-grandfather back in the ancestral hall?"


    James was always perceptive and sensed something was off.


    Sophie lied casually, "I was just curious. The Burke family has built such a vast empire, and it''s incredible how your grandfather managed to establish a business dynasty from scratch."


    While it was during James'' father''s generation that the Burkes dominated Devonport, and James himself had catapulted Burke International to its zenith, the foundational work James'' grandfather did for the Burke family was undeniable.


    "This empire wasn''t built by my grandfather alone."


    "What did you say?"


    The elevator doors suddenly opened.


    James stepped out, leaving Sophie filled with doubts about his previous remark. She followed him, asking, "I recall the Burke family beingbeled as nouveau richest century, a rarity for that era."


    Sophie had always been investigating the Burke family''s past, and James, keen as ever, had noticed. He nced at Sophie, saying, "You seem quite interested in the past today." James'' gaze held a hint of wariness. Sophie didn''t know which question had triggered his defenses, but from his look, she could tell James was aware of some secret family history. At that moment, a maid rushed over, eximing, "Mr. Burke! We have a problem! Ms. Ca has taken your car!"


    James frowned, and Sophie added, "I had only asked her to see Bea for a clear exnation. Now she''s so agitated. I hope nothing serious happens."


    "Let''s go!"


    James led Sophie out of the Burke estate, driving a spare car towards their new home.


    Meanwhile, Ca was frantically banging on the Burke family''s main door. Marian was puzzled and opened the door to find Ca in a frenzy. "Ms. Ca?"


    "Where''s Grandma Bea? Where is she!"


    "She..."


    Before Marian could finish, Ca pulled out a kitchen knife, turning Marian pale with fright. "Ms. Ca! What are you doing?"


    "I need to see Grandma Bea! Take me to her!"


    Ca''s demeanor made Marian dare not dy. She immediately responded, "Okay, okay, calm down. I''ll call her right now!"


    Before Marian could take a few steps toward the living room, Beazily emerged from her room, asking, "What''s all this noise about during the day?"


    Bea frowned at the sight of Ca with the knife, "Ca? What is this?"


    "You lied to me! It wasn''t James who entered my room that night, was it!"


    Just then, Sophie and James


    arrived. Sophie, witnessing the


    scene, was reminded of her past life,


    where Bea had tricked her into


    drugging James, resulting in his


    lifelong disdain toward her Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    It seemed that Bea hadn''t changed even in this life. She still used despicable means to achieve her goals.


    "I thought it was something serious.


    How would I know who entered your room that night?" Bea, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of James, retorted, "You wanted to be Mrs. Burke, so I gave you a way. It''s your own fault for not recognizing the man and losing your virginity. A woman as indiscreet as you doesn''t deserve to step into the Burke


    family''."


    Hearing Bea''s scorn, Ca was utterly stunned. Suddenly, Sophie began to p. "Bravo, Bea, well said! You really passed the me smoothly."


    Bea frowned, "Sophie, what do you mean?"


    "The Burke estate is a fortress. How


    could a stranger enter so easily? Moreover, he went straight to Ms. Ca''s guest room as if he knew what would happen once inside. It would be hard to exin if this was not an inside job, wouldn''t it?"