But that made sense. Summerfield was miles away from Devonport, where everything cost twice as much. Who would recognize her, a once-wealthydy of the now-bankrupt family?


    As Sophie scanned the room, Odie suddenly extended his arm in front of her. She frowned at the arm blocking her path. "What are you doing?"


    "As my date, shouldn''t you be a bit more aware of your role?"


    *So?"


    Sophie yed dumb, so Odie pulled his arm back, his voice cold. "Forget it then."


    With that, Odie headed for the hotel entrance. Sophie noticed and quickly caught up, slipping her arm through his. She smiled, "Mr. Odie, I was just joking. As your date, I''ll stick by your side, no doubt about it." Odie responded coolly, "I don''t like jokes. If you joke with me again, I''ll leave you here alone. The night wind in Devonport is freezing, and with your constitution, Ms. Sophie, you might onlyst a few hours." Sophie forced a smile through her difort.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    She would never admit that she had zoned out and missed Odie''s point.


    Outside the hotel, Daniel approached Odie swiftly. "Mr. Odie, this is Mr. James Burke, the CEO of Burke International from Devonport."


    Sophie nced at James, who was coldly scanning her.


    Today, James wore a sleek ck suit, looking as tall and imposing as ever, his face as stern as before. He scoffed, "I thought you had truly disappeared, but it turns out you found yourself a new benefactor." James doubted her rtionship with Odie. Sophie gave a slight smile and retorted, "Mr. Burke, you seem to be without a date today. Have you changed partners? Or is Ms. Nichole not to your taste?" James ignored Sophie and turned to Odie instead. "They say Mr. Odie has good taste, but I''d advise Mr. Odie to stay away from this kind of woman. Women like Sophie, once they find


    a better benefactor, will abandon the previous one without a second thought."


    Everyone has their preferences. I''ve always liked taming such women."


    Odie sped the hand Sophie had looped through his arm, his eyes filled with a knowing smile.


    Sophie wanted to pull her hand back, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, she couldn''t embarrass Odie. If she did that, Odie would definitely settle ounts with herter.


    James scoffed, "Well, thest person who said that was Colby, yet now he''s been dumped at his own engagement party and has been imprisoned by the Costello family since that day. It seems he won''t be holding onto his position in the Costello family for much longer."


    Sophie frowned slightly.


    Colby was in Summerfield justst night, there was no way he could be imprisoned by the Costello family. Why would James lie?


    James, seemingly unaware of


    Sophie''s nce, said leisurely, "I''m go


    in first. Looking forward to our


    meetingter


    Odie nodded slightly, and after James entered, Odie said, "What? Feeling bad?


    "For what?"


    "For your fiancé." Odie led Sophie into the banquet hall, continuing, "Just because Colby is imprisoned by the ve


    head of the Costello family doesn''t


    mean he didn''t want toe to Summerfield to save you. You seemed a bit shaken just now."