Sophie grabbed the taser from the security guard and marched up to the troublemaking boss. He gave her a once-over and sneered, "Mrs. Costello? What, no men left in the Costello family, so they send a woman to handle business? The Smiths are a big deal in Devonport, and this is your hospitality? Making guests wear mourning bands? What kind of treatment is this from a prominent Devonport family?" Before he could say another word, Sophie swung the taser and smacked him hard on the head.


    Everyone gasped. The boss, bleeding and terrified, crumpled to the ground, pointing at Sophie in shock and anger. "You... you! How dare you attack me in broad daylight?"


    "My grandfather hated being humiliated, and the Costello family never shies away from a fight. The Smiths are nothing! If I, Sophie, don''t make you disappear from Devonport in three days, then my name isn''t Sophie Costello!" "You''ll pay for this! Just wait!"


    The boss tried to escape but was quickly blocked by two enforcers.


    Sophie''s voice was icy. "You think you can act like a big shot in front of the Costello family and just walk away? Looks like Mr. Smith thought he was at a market."


    Mr. Smith was petrified, and so was everyone else around.


    They remembered that Colby had retired and the Costellos had stepped away from their shady dealings. To strike someone in broad daylight-weren''t they afraid of consequences?


    "Beat him right here until he cries for his parents," Sophie ordered coldly. "The louder he screams, the better."


    "Yes, ma''am!"


    The Costello men closed in on Mr. Smith.


    Inside the hall, Colby watched Sophie return, silent for a moment before he finally said, "Sophie..."


    "Colby, from now on, just be yourself."


    Holding Colby''s hand, Sophie


    continued, "We''re husband and wife now. Facing the storms ahead, we can''talways be held back by others."


    Hearing Sophie''s words, Colby''s throat tightened, and he replied in a low, husky voice, "Okay."


    Outside the funeral, a man hidden in the shadows of the trees quietly ced a mourning band on his chest, watching the scene unfold.


    Outside the hall, Jenna, in a modest ck dress, and Adler, unusually dressed in a formal ck suit,


    walked in holdingAll content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    swnoveln


    bands.


    The crowd parted for them as Jenna and Adler ced the bands in front of the grandfather''s coffin.


    Adler, looking at Lennon''s portrait, remembered how strict Lennon had been with him when he was the naughtiest kid.


    Memories of Lennon chasing him with a stick shed through his mind.


    Punishing him to stand in military posture, not allowing him to eat dinner.


    He hated it then, sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night because he was starving.


    And there he found Lennon, also hungry. They''d squat in the kitchen, sneaking food, and the old man would affectionately pat his head, saying a real man must act like it.


    No more joking around, no more half-hearted efforts.


    He said a real man must show his strongest side to others, never letting them see his weaknesses.


    After all these years, those memories felt as fresh as yesterday.


    Adler''s eyes welled up, his voice choked, "Rest in peace, old man."