"I''m really okay," Sophie said, her voice weak but determined. "Is Colby safe? Did he make it back alright?"


    "Everything''s fine," Gordon reassured her. "We''re already on our way back. The n was foolproof; everyone''s safe."


    "What about James? Why hasn''t hee back to Devonport?"


    Gordon''s face hardened at the mention of James, clearly not eager to discuss


    1. it. "That''s his business, not ours."


    "Sir, the car''s here."


    "Alright."


    Gordon turned to Sophie. "Let''s get in the car. We can talk about everything


    elseter."


    "...Okay."


    Sophie nodded and agreed.


    On the way back, she leaned against the car window, exhaustion etched on her face. She didn''t even have the strength to speak.


    Meanwhile-


    At the Minton family estate in Summerfield, Jonah had wrapped up the mess at the casino. He walked into the study and reported, "Colby''s people wrecked most of it. We''ve taken a big hit. Sophie''s missing, but James says she''s been sent away."


    "I see," Odie replied coldly.


    "Boss, should we send someone to Devonport to bring her back?" Jonah


    asked.


    "No need," Odie chuckled darkly. "She''lle crawling back on her own soon enough."


    He had never seen anyone withstand the new drug Minton International had developed.


    14:45


    "When she''s had her fill of suffering, she''lle back begging me. Until then, no point wasting our energy looking for her."


    The thought of Sophie, so stubborn, kneeling and begging for mercy, amused him greatly.


    "Boss, about what James said..."


    "We''ll see how he acts. If he truly wants to partner with Minton International, I''m open to considering it."


    Odie looked out at the night sky. Summerfield was already chaotic tonight, but it wasn''t enough for him. He wanted everyone-especially Colby-to know that he was the king of Summerfield. No one could challenge his authority.


    Outside the study, Polly entered. "Boss, Mr. Ricardo''s here."


    "Find an excuse to send him away," Odie said dismissively...


    Jonah frowned. "Boss, Mr. Ricardo is here to discuss a partnership. Are we really going to send him away?"


    "Keeping useless people around is pointless. Sophie was right; no need to help such a waste."


    Besides, he rarely felt like keeping his word.


    ''Sophie, oh Sophie, don''t let me down again. You bettere back soon, grovel properly, and maybe I''ll forgive you.''


    Early the next morning at the Burke family estate in Devonport, Nichole woke up and her mood instantly darkened when she saw the newspaper.


    The headlines showed photos of Sophie and Gordon entering and leaving the Aldridge family estate together. The reporters had


    ve


    sensationalized the story, iming the Russell family heiress had a new me, ditching Colby for The content. is on !


    Gordon.


    "This Sophie... how is she so lucky?" Nichole fumed.


    She had thought Sophie was


    now


    kidnapped, but now it seemed Saphie was not only safe but had Gordon as her powerful ally!


    Why?


    get to live such a charmed life while she was stuck alone in the Burke family home?


    She couldn''t stand it!


    In a fit of rage, Nichole swept


    everything off the table onto the floor,


    e


    just as Bea walked in. Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    **Cras