"Achoo-!" Odie sneezed unexpectedly in his study just as Jonah walked in. "Mr. Odie, Ms. Vanessa has arrived," Jonah announced.


    Odie waved a hand casually. "Let her in."


    "Sure thing."


    Jonah opened the study door, and Vanessa hesitated at the entrance. She''d heard that Colby had taken Sophie away and hurried over to the Minton family to get the full story.


    Just one look at Vanessa, and Odie knew what she was thinking. "Sophie has been rescued, Ms. Vanessa. Helping you this time cost me quite a few men," he said.


    Vanessa''s face twisted in frustration. "You did it for yourself... Don''t make it sound so noble!"


    "What now? Colby knows it was us who kidnapped Sophie. We''re both in this mess together." Odie propped his chin on his hand, adding, "But hey, at least your wish came true. Colby finally dislikes you, which is better than being indifferent."


    "You..."


    Vanessa bit her lip and stepped forward, pleading, "Mr. Odie, I know you have more tricks up your sleeve! I can''t let Sophie stay with Colby... Please, remember the old times when you worked for my dad and help me out!"


    Odie''s expression turned icy at her words.


    Desperate, Vanessa continued, "Odie! If it weren''t for my dad, you would''ve never gone to Summerfield, nor be the Mintons'' adopted son! You wouldn''t have the power you have now! I''m my father''s daughter; you should serve me just like you do Colby!"


    Odie scoffed. "Ms. Vanessa, you ret


    right. I owe a lot to Mr. Elwood. Without his support, I wouldn''t be where I am in the Minton family. Of course, I should thank Mr. Elwood." en.swhovels


    There was no gratitude in Odie''s tone, causing Vanessa to feel a chill run down her spine.


    "If you want to win back Colby, you''ll need to be ready to confront him. Can you do that?"


    Vanessa hesitated. "What do you want me to do?"


    "Host a g as the heiress of the White family. Invite all the major corporations that have worked with the White family and top media journalists."


    "But... inviting so many people, what''s the point?" Vanessa frowned. "We need a reason, right?"


    "The reason," Odie said slowly, "is to announce the engagement between the heiress of the White family and the CEO of the Mintons."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "What?!"


    Vanessa was stunned but quickly grasped his meaning. "No! That''s absolutely not eptable!"


    "Not eptable?"


    "Yes! Not eptable!" Vanessa bit her lip. "You just broke off your engagement with Sandy. If I get engaged to you now, what about Sandy And I''ll bebeled as the homewrecker who stole her best friend''s fiancé!"


    "It''s just a reputation. If you and I get engaged, I can help you seize Colby''s assets abroad. The corporations that worked with Mr. Elwood will turn to support me.. Once have those overseas


    resources, I can challenge Colby. He won''t easily let go of everything he''s worked for overseas. Whatever demands you make, Ms. Vanessa, Colby will have to agree."