In a dim corner, a shadowy figure stared at Odie''s retreating form, fists clenched in silent rage. Inside the Costello family estate...


    "The trending searches have hit over a hundred million. Looks like Odie''s going viral this time," Sophie remarked, lying on her bed and scrolling through the news on her phone. Today''s fiasco was likely enough to boot Odie out of here for good. Without backing from the Pord family or the resources of the White family, Odie didn''t stand a chance. He was a nobody abroad,pletely unable to challenge Colby''s position.


    Colby emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying his hair. "Things are just about wrapped up here. We''ll head back to Devonport in a couple of days," he said, then wrapped Sophie in a warm hug and whispered, "It''s time we got our marriage license."


    Sophie blushed at his words. The chaos overseas had settled remarkably quickly, almost too quickly. Leaning into Colby''s embrace, she confessed, "I still feel uneasy."


    "What? Don''t trust your husband''s skills?" Colby teased.


    "Today... at the banquet hall, I thought I saw..."


    "Who did you see?"


    Sophie looked up into Colby''s intense eyes. "I thought I saw..."


    James.


    She couldn''t bring herself to mention James''s name in front of Colby. Shaking her head, she said, "I must have been mistaken."


    James wouldn''te abroad quietly, and if he had shown up at Odie''s engagement party, he would have been the center of attention. There was no way he could have gone unnoticed. "Don''t worry about it. I''ll have Adler book our flight tickets," Colby reassured her, gently ruffling her hair with affection.


    Sophie nodded, feeling slightly more


    at ease. The Crisis abroad had been


    resolved, and the Pord family didn''t seem to harbor any ill will towards Colby. The main triumph was derailing Odie and Sandy engagement. Odie couldn''t cause any more trouble abroad. Their time overseas had run its course.


    Meanwhile, back in Devonport...


    At S Corporation, Jenna walked into


    the CEO''s office, bncing a breakfast tray. She found Adler buried under a mountain of paperwork, the stacks towering on his desk like mini skyscrapers.


    With a look of disbelief, Jenna reached out and poked Adler''s arm. In the next instant, Adler sprang up from his chair as if on springs, shouting, "Meeting! I''m gonna bete!" Realizing there was no meeting today, Adler sighed with relief. "Phew, no meetings today."


    "You... haven''t slept all night, have you?" Jenna asked, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. "Maybe you should take a day off."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Jenna, you''re the best!" Adler


    whimpered, his voice cracking as he fought the urge to copse into her arms in tears. With Sophie and Colby away, the pressure of running all threepanies had fallen squarely on his shoulders. And this was before the couple even went on their honeymoon! If they got married and took a few months off, he''d be dead from exhaustion.


    "There, there," Jennaforted him. "Just finish what''s on your desk, and then you can take a break!"


    Adler looked at the daunting pile of documents, his spirits sinking. "Jenna..."


    Jenna ced a thermos in front of him, her expression serious. "I made you some special chicken soup. It''s good for the soul! Hang in there you''ve got this!"