James''s voice dripped with indifference and mockery.


    Sophie listened to his cold words, nodding repeatedly. This was the James she remembered. No matter what, he always put the Burke family''s interests first. James always seemed to look down on everything.


    "Alright, James," Sophie said, "you took the shares from Odie, set up this huge scheme, and in the end, you finally took over Burke International. I underestimated you before, thinking you..."


    "Thought I was hung up on some petty love, that I''d waste my life away pining for you, right?" James''s tone was calm, almost casual. "Mrs. Costello, you give yourself too much credit. Any woman I want, I can have. Don''t kid yourself into thinking I''m hopelessly in love with you. Don''t be foolish. Take care of your Colby and let him know James is back. Devonport is still my territory."


    Sophie clenched her fists so tightly she felt her nails biting into her flesh. "You really... haven''t changed at all."


    The only fool here was her. She had thought James had changed. She had thought she had misunderstood him in their past life. She had thought they were strangers in this life, destined never to cross paths again. But here was James, sitting right in front of her, making it crystal clear. It was her who had been foolish all along. James was always James. Even without Nichole, she would still end up with a tragic fate. James was always the one who would abandon everything for Burke International, by any means necessary. They were destined to be enemies.


    "Colt, please escort Mrs. Costello out, and also hand her the list of damages to the main gate. Mrs. Costello, you have three days to transfer the funds to thepany''s ount." "Don''t worry, you won''t miss a penny."


    Sophie cast onest nce at James before turning around and leaving the conference room. After Sophie left, the smile on James''s face gradually faded. "Mr. Burke, I''ll prepare the list," Colt said.


    line


    James remained silent, alone in empty conference room. At that moment, a man''s voice came from the phone on the conference table:N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    "Well done."


    As Sophie wasing down the


    stairs, Adler was leaning against the car. Seeing Sophie, he immediately asked, "How did it go upstairs?"


    Sophie''s expression was grim. Seeing her like this, Adler grew more anxious and pressed, "What happened?"


    "James was elected the new CEO of Burke International, unanimously."


    Adler was stunned but quickly put it together. "Odie''s ident-was that James''s doing?"


    Sophie didn''t speak, but everything pointed to James being the mastermind. This move was beyond anyone''s expectations. "Let''s go to the hospital, see if Odie has woken up."


    As Sophie and Adler were about to


    leave, Coft came down with a smile, saying "Ms. Sophie, here''s the list of damages Mr. Burke asked me to prepare."