With Colby around, Odie always felt protected.


    Colby, with a mix of helplessness and affection, said, "Alright, you''re the smartest."


    Sophie nestled into Colby''s arms, whispering, "When can we stop living like this?"


    All the constant calctions and stress-it was exhausting. Only with Colby could she find a moment''s peace.


    "I''ve been thinking, if we were just kids from a regr wealthy family, with our parents alive, friends around, and none of these schemes or life-and-death struggles, wouldn''t that be nice?"


    Colby paused before replying, "Trust me, those peaceful days aren''t far off."This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    "Even though you say that, you know as well as I do that as long as that person stays hidden, we''ll never reach him. He''ll keeping after us, no matter what," Sophie said softly. "No one will be safe-not you, me, Cindy, Mr. Gordon, Odie... none of us." They knew well that the mastermind behind the scenes controlled everything. He had killed her parents and Colby''s parents, all for the treasure tied to the Devonport legacy.


    How much money is enough? How tempting must that treasure be to justify so much death?


    "Sophie, we can''t let our parents'' murders go unpunished. Even if we wanted to let it go, he''d stille for us."


    "I know. Right now, we''re just trying to stay alive. Since he hides in the shadows, we need to drag him into the light. Sophie smiled and said, "I''m not giving up that easily. But if one day hees for us and


    something happens to me, promise me you''ll avenge me."


    Colby, looking serious, pinched her cheek. "Don''t talk like that."


    Sophie brushed his hand away and said, "I''m not into fancy words or endless cycles of revenge. I just know that if I die, you won''t want to live either. So, make avenging me your reason to go on. Then,e join me!" Colby couldn''t help butugh at her earnestness. "Alright, I''ll avenge you, then I''ll join you."


    "Silly!"


    Sophie leaned back into Colby''s


    arms. Her words weren''t just a whim; they came from a deep feeling. She had a premonition that the person behind everything was starting to target her, maybe


    because she had interfered with his


    ns.


    No matter the reason, she was determined to expose him and avenge her and Colby''s parents.


    The next morning, Sophie received


    the evening gown for the dinner party. The gown was a bespoke design, as every distinguisheddy attending had to wear the brand''s custom-made creations. Sophie''s was a white satin mermaid dress, cinched at the waist.


    Upon seeing the design, Sophie couldn''t help but chuckle. Such a thoughtful gesture.


    Timothy, who was nearby, noticed but Sophie, unbothered, handed the dress to him, saying, "Iron it for me, please. I''ll wear it tonight."