Angelo stood there, watching the scene unfold, and let out an awkward cough. Never having been in love, he couldn''t help but think, "Why does love always skip over me? When''s it gonna be my turn for some of that sweet romance?"


    On the other side of the room, Odie yanked Vanessa''s arm, his voice icy. "What''s your problem?"N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Vanessa, with trembling lips and eyes locked on Colby, who was clearly only interested in Sophie, shrugged off Odie''s grip and took a step forward. But before she could get any closer, Colby shot her a chilling nce that made her shiver.


    "Colby..."


    "Stay away from me."


    Colby''s furrowed brow and cold demeanor created a barrier no one dared to cross.


    Vanessa stood frozen. His gaze wasn''t hateful, but it was distant, like he was looking at a stranger.


    Then Angelo stepped in, voice stern. "Ms. Vanessa, wielding a knife isn''t just reckless, it''s a crime. Since you''re Sandy''s friend, I might ask Colby to go easy on you. But ultimately, it''s up to Ms. Sophie." Angelo turned to Sophie, waiting for her decision. All eyes followed, especially Sandy''s, who was visibly anxious about what Sophie would say.


    Sophie didn''t mince words. "That''s unforgivable. Let''s turn this over to the police."


    "Sophie, you can''t be serious!"


    Vanessa was shocked that Sophie wasn''t even pretending in front of Colby.


    Sophie continued, "However, I wasn''t actually hurt, and I doubt the local cops will make a fuss over this."


    Angelo thought Sophie was about to let it go, but she added, "So let''s settle it privately. Justpensate me. Mr. Odie, you are Ms. Vanessa''s fiancé, right? Covering for her shouldn''t be a big deal." Angelo''s heart sank. Sophie was as shrewd as Colby when it came to money.


    Odie, both annoyed and amused, replied, "You weren''t injured, so what am Ipensating for?"


    "Emotional distress." Sophie held up one finger. "This much."


    "A thousand, right? I''ll pay you now."


    "Not one thousand. Ten million."


    Odie''s hand paused mid-air at Sophie''s demand. "Are you out of your mind? Ten million?"


    Sophie replied seriously, "I''m not


    asking for fifty billion, so consider et


    that generous. Maybe you want to check with Ricardo back in


    hove


    Summerfield?"


    "Fine, fine, ten million it is."


    Odie rummaged through his pockets, finding only a few bills. He pulled out a card and tossed it to Sophie. "Any extra canpensate for those ten million damaged nerves."


    Sophie, grinning, handed the card to Colby. "Honey, keep this safe for me."


    "Of course."


    Colby took the card without hesitation.


    Odie pointed at Colby, frustrated. "That card was for Sophie! Are you nuts too? Give it back!"


    Colby nced at Odie and pocketed


    the


    ard "My wife gave it to me.


    hit?" Content bele


    you want your