In the spacious living room of Burke Estate, Sophie watched the news coverage of the funeral on TV, unable to hold back her words to Gordon, who sat opposite her, "Mr. Gordon, is this really necessary?" The volume was cranked up so high, it felt like it was meant just for her.


    How much did Gordon love his gossip?


    "Sorry, I was just flipping through channels," Gordon said, before turning the volume up even higher.


    Sophie forced a smile. "Mr. Gordon, what are you trying to say?"Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s odd, isn''t it? At the funeral, why can''t we see James?"


    Gordon skimmed through the footage, where Bea and others were present, but there was no sign of James.


    Gordon remarked nonchntly, "His wife has died, and he doesn''t even show his face. Does this confirm the rumors that he killed her?"


    "What murder?" Sophie frowned, clearly not grasping what Gordon was insinuating.


    Gordon turned to Sophie and said, "I see Mrs. Costello hasn''t heard. Maybe I shouldn''t say anything then."


    Sophie didn''t buy Gordon''s coyness for a second. "Mr. Gordon, you''ve already brought it up, might as well spill the beans. What exactly happened?"


    "Nichole''s body was found with a bullet through her forehead. Even though the body was charred, the cause of death was pretty obvious. Considering who had free ess to the Burke estate and could have shot Nichole, doesn''t James seem like the most likely suspect?"


    "James killing Nichole? That''s ridiculous."


    Sophie couldn''t believe James would ever harm Nichole.


    In both her past and present lives, regardless of James''s feelings for Nichole-whether love or


    indifference-James was never the type to get his hands dirty with blood: How could he possibly kill someone?


    Moreover, even if James had hated Nichole in the past, he never went as far as to kill her. How could he


    suddenly shoot Nichole and then set


    fire to the Burke estate?


    "I don''t know all the details, but if this news gets out, the Burke family will be under siege from all sides, and James will be in a tough spot..."


    "Mr. Gordon, let''s not. I''ve already settled things with James. Whatever happens to the Burke family has nothing to do with me."


    "I heard James promised to hand over the Burke family to you in three months. Do you still want it?"


    "The contract''s been signed, of course, I want it."


    Sophie sat on a nearby sofa, not even lifting her head as she answered.


    Seeing Sophie somewhat distracted, Gordon said, "Although James promised to hand over Burke International to you, he hasn''t called a shareholders'' meeting yet. The shareholders might not agree to let him step down, but if the charge of murdering his wife sticks, he''ll have no choice but to resign to protect Burke International''s reputation. At that point, it would only make sense for you to take over."


    Sophie looked up. "Mr. Gordon, you''ve thought this through quite thoroughly."


    "Just doing my part."


    Sophie asked, "But how did you know James promised to hand over Burke International to me in three months? I don''t recall discussing it with you."


    "The Aldridge family has its ways of finding things out. If I want to know something, I can find out."


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