"Hey there, look who finally decided to join us!" came a yful voice from downstairs.


    Four people were huddled around a poker table, deeply engrossed in their game. Sophie had just managed to pull Timothy into the fray. Upon seeing Colbye down the stairs, Adler threw down a card, grinning, "What were you two big shots talking about that''s so hush-hush? Not even Sophie gets to know?"


    "Private business," Colby replied, descending thest few steps. He noticed the trio exchanging sneaky signals under the table, clearly nning to gang up on Timothy. He looked away, pretending to be oblivious.


    Sophie caught Colby''s eye and gave him a subtle nod. Colby moved behind Timothy, took a quick peek at his hand, then signaled back to Sophie.


    "Queen of Hearts," Timothy said, discarding his card.


    "Gotcha!" Sophie dered, spreading her cards out with a triumphant smile.


    Timothy stared at the table, bewildered. Who bets everything on a Queen of Hearts?


    Adler chuckled, "Ah, young man, you''re still too green. Ms. Sophie just outfoxed you. Time to pay up."


    Timothy sighed and handed over a crisp bill to Sophie. The stakes were high, and in just a few rounds, Timothy had lost thousands.


    Sensing an opportunity, Jenna casually remarked, "I''ve heard Elodie''s been making wavestely-gracing financial magazine covers, giving interviews, and looking poised to dethrone James as the next big power yer." "With Sophie in our corner, who cares if Elodie bes CEO of Burke International? Tomorrow, Sophie will take her on head-to-head!" Adler boasted.


    *Snap*


    Timothy yed an East Wind tile, and Sophie won yet again. "Sorry, little brother, you''ve been outyed once more."


    Timothy frowned. Betting on the East Wind? Sophie''s strategy was definitely unconventional.


    Handing over hisst bill to Sophie, Timothy stood up. "Ms. Sophie, I''m going to clean up," he said, walking away from the table.


    Jenna shook her head, "Calling it quits already? It''s just a few thousand dors! Kids these days..."


    "Let''s just enjoy our winnings," Adler said, smiling at their haul, while Sophie exchanged a knowing nce with Colby. Colby nodded and followed Timothy.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Quit gawking, let''s get moving," Sophie said, standing up. Adler and Jenna quickly followed suit.


    In the restroom, Timothy removed


    his earrings, ne, and


    wristband, quickly assembling a


    miniatureputer. He was just


    about to send out a message about Sophie''s surprise visit to Burke International when the bathroom door was kicked open by Colby.


    Even Adler was taken aback. "Wow, that''s some serious force!"


    Timothy instinctively tried to escape but was no match for Colby, who had him pinned to the floor in seconds. Colby didn''t hold back,


    leaving Timothy numb and unable to move.


    Sophie walked over and crouched down to Timothy''s level. "Little brother, we were almost convinced you were innocent. Why couldn''t you just keep a low profile a bit longer?"


    She took the miniatureputer from Timothy, examined it, then tossed it to Adler. "Mr. Adler, this is your department."


    "On it!" Adler said, marveling at the device. "Human ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. A tinyputer like this can send messages? You really missed your calling as a spy!"