"You are my fiancée, Nichole. You don''t have to bow to anyone. If Mr. Colby has anyints today, we''ll see who stands taller in the business world."


    James was about to escort Nichole away when a group of people suddenly surrounded them. The Costello family''s influence in Devonport was always formidable, and it was clear that these men were the family''s loyal soldiers, each trained personally and trusted implicitly by the veterans of the Costello family.


    Colby took a lollipop out of his pocket and put it in his mouth.


    He had long said he would quit smoking for Sophie, but he wasn''t used to not having anything in his mouth, so when he felt like killing someone, he would suck on a lollipop, which indeed made his mouth feel


    sweeter.


    James said coldly, "This is the entrance to the police station, Colby. Are you really not afraid?"


    "Of course I am. I''m aw-abiding citizen."


    With that, Colby waved his hand nonchntly and said to Tricia, "Go, shut the police station''s doors. Let''s not disturb our friends in the station."


    "Yes, Colby."


    Sophie couldn''t help but snicker at the sight.


    Colby''s thuggish tactics were indeed more despicable than anyone else.


    Colby raised an eyebrow. "Now, it all depends on whether your woman behaves."


    As the standoff continued, Nichole clung tighter to James'' arm.


    She would not bow to Sophie!


    But soon, an elderly woman''s voice was heard not far away. "Bea, isn''t that your future granddaughter-inw? What''s happening here?"Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    In the distance, Bea was


    apanied by threedies over


    fifty, apparently her card-yingpanions. Sophie also noticed a nearby high-end tearoom, a frequent gathering ce for Devonport''sdies of leisure.


    Bea saw Nichole and James and was also slightly surprised.


    The crowd escorted her over, and when she noticed Colby and Nichole, one of thedies beside Bea


    eximed in surprise, "Bea, isn''t that your former granddaughter-inw?"


    Bea''s face turned pale. She was terrified upon confirming the person standing before her was Sophie, stepping back in fear. "You... how are you still alive?!"


    She had clearly instructed Sna to deal with her! How could Sophie still be standing here, perfectly fine?


    Sophie keenly sensed Bea''s abnormal reaction. She felt Bea''s horror upon seeing her alive. Had Bea actually orchestrated Sna''s attempt on Sophie''s life?


    "I heard the news that you and Mr. Colby were getting engaged, and I couldn''t believe it until I saw it today."


    The elderly rarely paid attention to such news, but some knew earlier than others as members of the same eircle. Bea had been out all day, unaware of Sophie and Colby''s engagement news.


    At this moment, Bea was deeply unsettled, herplexion even paler.


    To confirm her suspicion, Sophie took a step closer to Bea, even extending a hand as if to touch her. "Bea, long time no see."


    But just as Sophie reached out her hand towards Bea, Bea stepped back as if seeing a ghost. Her voice was panicked. "You, don''te any closer!"