Sophie plopped down on the sofa, not a care in the world, and casually opened a bottle of red wine. "My clothes are soaked. I need a new outfit."


    "You ruined a perfectly good outfit?" Odie asked, incredulous.


    "Nope. I just took a bath with my clothes on."


    Odie, ready to ask another question, turned around only to see Sophie making herself right at home. He frowned deeply, struggling toprehend. "Are you even ady?" "Absolutely, one hundred percent genuine," Sophie replied without missing a beat.


    Sizing Odie up, she shot back, "You have the nerve to watch someone take a bath, and you''re questioning if I''m embarrassed?"


    Odie, momentarily stunned by her retort, swallowed his frustration and called out, "Jonah! Get Mrs. Costello a change of clothes."


    "Make it something casual," Sophie added.


    Odie couldn''t help butugh, though clearly annoyed. "You''re still making demands? Do you even know how expensive those clothes you soaked were?"


    Sophie grinned mischievously. "Come on, Mr. Odie, like you''re ever short on cash, right?"


    Choosing not to argue, Odie turned to the door as Jonah knocked. "Boss, the clothes are ready."


    Odie shot a nce at Sophie, still lounging on the sofa, then cracked open the door just a bit.


    Jonah paused, a bit confused by Odie''s behavior.


    Odie grabbed the clothes from Jonah and tossed them right over Sophie''s head.


    "Odie!" she eximed.


    "Change your clothes!" he yelled back.


    After storming out and mming the door shut, Sophie sighed in relief, only to hear a ''click'' at the door. Odie tossed in a pair of high heels. "And here''s your shoes. Get dressed ande out."


    ''Bang!''


    Sophie was certain Odie wasn''t


    Certal


    Meanwhile


    In the back garden of the Dragonvein Hotel, Colby and James stood face to face.


    "Who sent you?" Colby demanded, his tone icy.


    "None of your business," James replied.


    "You almost got Sophie killed today. Do you realize that?"


    James frowned. "I would protect her with my life."


    "And your idea of protection is jumping out of a window yourself?" Colby''s gaze was sharp and threatening. "I don''t care what deal you''ve made with Gordon, but m warning you, stay away from my wife. Don''t cause her any trouble."


    As Colby brushed past James, James called out, "Colby, your constant endangerment of her is going to get her killed someday."


    "My wife has her own mind. She''s not some bird that needs sheltering. If anything happens, I''ll handle it.


    But... what happens between mmet


    wife and me is none of your concern, Mr. Burke. Mind your own business, or you might get burned."


    Colby''s words hung in the air as he walked away.


    James stood there, silent.


    When had meddling be his role? When did Sophie stop being the girl who needed support from her past life? How much had she gone through to be who she was now?


    All he ever wanted was for Sophie to live a peaceful life, free from all the scheming and maniption. But it seemed, Sophie had changed long ago.