Dawn broke over the Costello estate overseas.


    Sophie was lounging on the couch, enjoying her breakfast, when the housemaid approached her. "Madam, Ms. Vanessa has arrived for a visit. Would you like to see her?" "Are you sure Vanessa came alone?" Sophie asked.


    "Yes," the maid nodded. "I didn''t see anyone else with her."


    Sophie''s face grew more guarded.


    "If you''d rather not meet with her, I can send her away," the maid offered.


    "It''s okay. I''ll see her," Sophie replied coolly. "And while you''re at it, cut the security detail by half. Make it discreet. We don''t want anyone to notice."


    "Pardon?"


    "And if anything unexpected happens, just go with the flow. Let Colby know if necessary, or call the police," Sophie added.


    The maid looked bewildered but quicklyplied. "Yes, Madam."


    Soon, Vanessa made her entrance.


    She saw Sophie reclining on the sofa, dressed in a champagne-colored silk nightgown that perfectly outlined her stunning figure. The delicatece trim at the chest barely revealed a hint of her cleavage. It was a sight that could captivate anyone.


    Vanessa couldn''t help but feel bitter, knowing that Colby spent every night in Sophie''s embrace.


    After all, she had known Colby first, and she had fallen for him first.


    "Ms. Vanessa, what brings you here?" Sophie''s tone was light, tinged with a hint of casual amusement.


    Vanessa stepped forward. "I came to ask you to leave Colby," she said.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    "Colby and I are married, Ms. Vanessa. Don''t you think your request is a bit abrupt?"


    "But Colby is really in danger now! The shareholders know you are his weakness. You know, my father did entrust me to Colby with his dying wish, and Colby promised to take care of me! Now he''s going back on his word, leaving me vulnerable and giving others a reason to attack him! Do


    you really want Colby to bear the


    stigma of being dishonorable?"


    Vanessa was clearly anxious.


    Sophie lost her smile. She ced her teacup on the table and looked at Vanessa. "Is that your reason for conspiring with the other shareholders to bring Colby down?"


    "I..." Vanessa found herself at a loss for words.


    "You''re just trying to use this situation to force Colby into marrying you. You don''t care if he loses everything he''s worked hard


    Ito


    for. You''re being selfish, eager im him for yourself. Just like you know Colby doesn''t love you, yet you deliberately misinterpret his promise to you," Sophie continued.


    "No... that''s not it, Colby really did promise me..."


    "You and I both know Colby is not one to go back on his word. I believe he did promise Mr. Elwood to take care of you for life, but he must have also made it clear that he doesn''t love you, won''t marry you, and will only ensure you have afortable life. Am I wrong?"


    Sophie''s words struck a chord in Vanessa, causing her face to pale. "Did Colby tell you all this?" she asked.


    "He didn''t have to tell me, but I believe he must have said something along those lines, or else your reaction wouldn''t be so strong."


    Sophie never doubted Colby''s love for her, because she knew it was everything he could offer.


    Vanessa felt a pang of pain at Sophie''s words. She always hated Colby''s honesty the most.