Angelo stood tall in the grand hall, "The Pord family has earned a respectable reputation overseas. Odie, by bullying my sister, you''re challenging the Pords. Let me make this clear," His voice boomed,manding the room''s attention, "I may not have influence everywhere abroad, but if anyone dares to do business with the Mintons, they''re making an enemy of the Pords.."


    The crowd''s expressions shifted unanimously upon hearing Angelo''s deration.


    Many had thought Odie would rise as a new star capable of taking on the Costellos, but before his light could even shine, it seemed to be snuffed out in its cradle.


    Sophie, struggling to hide her amusement, downed her champagne in one gulp and ced the ss on a nearby table. She raised her voice deliberately, "Well, Mr. Kiran has spoken. What are we still doing here? Or are you nning to stay and fight alongside Mr. Odie?"


    Odie red at Sophie, gritting his teeth. "Sophie, you really enjoy stirring things up, don''t you?"


    Ignoring him, Sophie called out again, "I''m leaving. I heard thestpany that crossed the Pords overseas went bankrupt!"


    "Sophie!"


    Furious, Odie wanted to silence her personally, but the guests started leaving one by one, leaving only a swarm of journalists who began snapping pictures non-stop.


    "Hey, don''t just focus on that side. Come here and get a good shot too!" Angelo started, the grating electronic noise once again filling his ears. The sound from the headset nearly made him lose hisposure


    He squinted his eyes, his gaze dangerously sweeping over the reporter opposite him. "What?" he asked, "Didn''t you hear me? I told you toe here and capture this."


    The journalists, slightly intimidated by Angelo''s tone, hurried over to capture Odie''s frustrated expression.


    Sophie quickly stepped out of the frame, leaving Odie standing alone, face dark with anger.


    Herughter was infectious, but as


    she scanned the dispersing crowd,


    her eyes caught a familiar figure. Her smile faded, and just as


    sheel


    tried to get a better look, Vanessa''s voice cut through, "Sophie! This is all your fault!" Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Vanessa''s face was twisted with


    tephie turned around just i


    time to


    see Vanessa charging at her with a kitchen knife.


    Angelo, rmed, blurted out in unison, "Oh my God!"


    He couldn''t afford an incident here; James would have his heads!


    Angelo and Odie rushed towards Sophie, but before they could reach her, a figure from the corner stepped forward swiftly, pulling Sophie behind him.


    Seeing this, Odie halted, retracting his hand, and Angelo stopped in his tracks as well.


    With a simple motion, Colby knocked the knife out of Vanessa''s hand, easing Angelo''s worry.


    Thank goodness, he thought, relieved that it hadn''t escted to a fatality.


    Sandy looked visibly shaken. She couldn''t believe Vanessa''s hatred for Sophie had driven her to such extremes.


    Colby turned to Sophie, asking, "Did that scare you?"


    Sophie, with a yful smile, replied, "Not at all. I knew you wouldn''t leave me alone here."


    Hearing this, Colby tapped her forehead gently, his tone serious, "Silly girl."