Sophie nced over at Timothy in the kitchen. He emerged wearing an apron, carrying a Dutch oven, his face an epitome of innocent harmlessness. "Ms. Sophie, I''ve made you and Mr. Colby some soup.'' Jenna and Adler shared a look: "..."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    How does this kid have two faces?


    Adler was certain he hadn''t imagined it; just moments ago, Timothy had been a brooding teenager, yet he managed to switch to such an innocent expression so quickly.


    "Put it down," Sophie instructed.


    Timothy ced the Dutch oven on the table and quietly headed back to the kitchen.


    Seeing that Sophie and Colby showed no interest in the soup, Adler asked, "Aren''t you two going to try it?"


    "No need; it''s undrinkable anyway," Sophie replied.


    Jenna, half-doubting, leaned in and lifted the lid. Inside was a cabbage and meatball soup. She sniffed it but detected no aroma. After tasting a spoonful, her face twisted in distaste. "How did he manage to make food that looks good but tastes so awful?" "Really? Is that even possible?" Adler stepped forward for a taste, smacking his lips before also grimacing. "How did this soup end up sweeter than salty? Didn''t he taste it himself?"


    Sophie''s mind wasn''t on Timothy. Having already lured him here, she was certain he couldn''t escape. Her thoughts were entirely focused on the situation in Devonport. She had previously injured Griffin and seized the coveted shares of Burke International from Elodie. She doubted Elodie would let go so easily.


    Upstairs, Rick descended slowly, addressing Sophie and Colby, "Ms. Sophie, Colby, the gentleman requests your presence upstairs."


    Sophie nced at Colby beside her, and the two of them walked to the elevator hand in hand. Adler and Jenna watched, clicking their tongues in surprise.


    Jennamented, "Who would have thought that a year ago these two weren''t together, and now they''re inseparable?"


    Adler, munching on peanuts, casually took Jenna''s hand, saying, "We''ll be like this a year from now too."


    "Dream on!" Jenna pped away Adler''s hand.


    In the kitchen, Timothy''s gaze was fixed on the second floor.


    It was said that Gordon''s office was upstairs, usually off-limits, and his servant''s quarters were on the southern side of the first floor. Approaching the second floor would require passing through four security checkpoints.


    The Aldridge family, true to rumors, was fortified inside and out.


    Upstairs, in the study.


    Rick pushed open the door to the upstairs study. Gordon, as usual, was seated at his desk, his wheelchair the same as always. Gordon casually nced at the newspaper in his hand until the two entered. Then he slowly began, "Congrattions to you both; the wedding is over. What follows is a world fraught with battles."


    With that, Gordon ced the newspaper on the desk.


    It clearly stated that Reeves Entertainment had been acquired by Burke International, with Elodie, the head of Reeves International, acting as the interim manager of Burke International''s affairs. She had been elected the new CEO of Burke International. Seeing the information on the paper, Sophie asked, "Elodie has already given me James''s share agreement. How did she be the CEO?"


    "Don''t forget, you only hold forty-five percent of the shares," Gordon said slowly. "Moreover, with you absent from Devonport these past days, Elodie only had to offer those shareholders substantial benefits for them to support her as CEO." Sophie countered, "So, she has a title with no real power?"


    "That matriarch of the Burke family has already transferred her ten percent of shares to Elodie. With Elodie obtaining unanimous support from the shareholders, how can you say shecks real power?"


    Gordon then looked at Colby, saying, "Colby, getting injured this time was quite timely." Hearing this, Sophie fell silent.


    u


    She had always thought Griffin was nothing more than a brute, only good for killing. But it turned out he had brains too. By striking Colby first, whether or not he could kill him, he managed to dy their return to Devonport, effectively buying Elodie time to persuade the Burke International shareholders.


    However... Elodie''s position as CEO of Burke International was far from secure.


    Gordon added softly, "Elodie is like you, never one to let a slight go unavenged. This time, she''s set on a direct confrontation with you."


    In just one short year, from Burke


    International''s dominance to now


    standing shoulder to shoulder with


    Poovel


    Corporation, it''s been a year of turmoil. Now that Elodie has be the head of Burke International, to reassure those shareholders, her first target will undoubtedly be Sophie.


    "Let''s put S Corporation aside for now; I have something to discuss with you alone," Colby''s sudden interjection made the atmosphere instantly tense. Sophie looked at Colby beside her, noticing the coldness in his eyes.


    "Ms. Sophie, that little trouble you brought along, see to it," Gordon said to Rick at the door, "Rick, please show Ms. Sophie out."


    "Yes."


    Without another question, Sophie turned and left Gordon''s study.


    In the study, silence fell between the two men for a long while.


    Colby slowly said, "Mr. Gordon, I guarded against everyone, even James, but I never guarded against you."


    Gordon nonchntly poured himself a cup of coffee, stating indifferently, "I haven''t hindered you in any way."


    Upon hearing this, Colby didn''t respond.


    But the air seemed to grow heavier.


    A year ago, when he had just


    returned to Devonport, he met Sophie at and auction. He wasn''t supposed to go that night, but


    Gordon mentioned there would be quite the spectacle, and that night, he unexpectedly met Sophie.


    Initially, he thought it was a coincidence.


    Now, he believed it was orchestrated.


    Gordon spoke at a leisurely pace, "Don''t overthink it. The dowry I provided for Sophie was simply out of respect for Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen. After all, I''ve watched her grow up; she''s like a sister to me." "Gordon, I''m not blind," Colby retorted, causing Gordon to pause in his action of pouring coffee.


    "So, what''s your intention in seeking me out now? To hand her over to me, or... to ask me to leave her?"


    Gordon chuckled lightly and said, "Don''t rush. My health isn''t what it used to be; I don''t have many years left."


    "A turtle lives a thousand years, but a snake could outlive it; you''ve got plenty of time left. And why should I give my wife to you?"


    Without looking back, Colby left Gordon''s study.


    He came for an answer.


    Now that he had it, he knew there was one more person he needed to be wary of.


    In the study, Gordon''s expression remained calm as he downed the coffee in front of him.


    Strangely enough.


    He found today''s coffee much bitterer than usual.