Adler didn''t waste a second. He called Colby right away and told him to get back to Aldridge Estate ASAP, under the cover of night.


    Things had blown up. Nobody in Devonport knew yet, but Colby''s crew had been keeping a close eye on things overseas. They were ready to give a heads-up at the first hint of trouble.


    It waste when Colby and Sophie rushed back, and Sophie was carrying a small Golden Retriever.


    Jenna raised an eyebrow. "Where''ve you two been at this hour? And what''s with the Golden Retriever?"


    The pup tilted its head, taking in the scene inside the house.


    Sophie put Dawn down on the floor. "We adopted him. Now, what''s this trouble overseas?"


    Gordon, sitting at the desk, replied, "Some minor groups have been stirring things up. We caught wind early and managed to contain it, but there''s still unrest." Sophie frowned. "Just some minor groups?"


    Before Gordon could respond, Adler cut in, "Of course not! Those groups are just pawns. The real culprits are the remnants of the White family''s distant rtives!"


    "But didn''t Colby deal with them when he took over?" Sophie asked.


    Gordon said calmly, "A centipede may die, but it never falls. There are always people who won''t bow to Colby. They''re not really fighting for the White family; they''re after their own gain. But to go against Colby they needed an excuse."


    Gordon gave Colby a pointed look. "This situation is fishy. You''ve been away from the international scene for a while, and suddenly this happens. Someone''s definitely pulling strings."


    Adler added, "Colby''s been nothing but kind to Vanessa, and she pulls this?"


    "It''s not Vanessa. It''s Odie," Gordon corrected. "Vanessa doesn''t have


    the clout. She''s just a front. The real mastermind is Odie."


    Adler was stunned. "Odie? Hasn''t he had enough trouble? He''s still stirring things up overseas?”


    Gordon looked at Colby. "Colby, what''s your take?"


    "I''ll go handle it myself," Colby said firmly.


    "Now?" Adler looked shocked, ncing at Sophie. "Brother, think this through. If you leave now, what about Sophie?"


    Jenna frowned. "I think Odie''s counting on Colby not wanting to leave Sophie, which is why he''s causing trouble overseas."


    Sophie chimed in, "I think OdieN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    underestimates women. He


    probably figures I''m not that


    important to Colby. He thinks Colby will leave me to take charge overseas. With Colby gone, Odie hopes to team up with James, find a weak spot in Devonport, ande after me, distracting Colby even more."


    Gordon nodded. "Sophie''s got a point. That''s why I''m asking for Colby''s decision."


    Colby tightened his grip on Sophie''s hand and said calmly, "I''ll take Sophie with me overseas."


    "Both of you?" Adler asked. "But what about Devonport? Are we supposed to fight off Odie and James on our own?"


    Colby squeezed Sophie''s hand


    tighter. Sophie looked down at their


    joined hands and said, "Don''t worry


    about me. Do what you need to do.


    Wherever you go, I''m right there with yout."