"Cut the crap!" Adler roared, unable to contain his anger. James, that backstabbing SOB! He had actually teamed up with their enemies to take them down! And to think Sophie had let him off the hook before!


    Harold stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Ms. Sandy is just staying with us for a few days. She won''t be harmed. Please, everyone, go back home. Or... we can have a little showdown to see who really runs things in Devonport." Sophie, already at the entrance with her entourage, chimed in, "I''d love to see who holds more power in Devonport."


    As Sophie and her crew walked in, Harold''s eyes narrowed at the sight of the disciplined Aldridge family members behind her. "Do you have Gordon''s private seal?" he asked.


    "Hold your horses, it''s not over yet," Sophie replied, raising her hand. Momentster, a group of armed bodyguards with tasers, all bearing the Costello family crest, stormed in and surrounded the lobby.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    "Mr. Burke, Mr. Aldridge, if you''re not convinced, how about we settle this with a fight?" Sophie challenged. "The Burke family has been through three turnovers; they''re probably reeling. Harold, you''ve just taken over the Minton family-think you can handle theirwork? Today, the four major families are here, and I''ve brought a friend along too."


    Odie emerged from the crowd, causing a stir among the Minton family members. They exchanged puzzled nces; wasn''t Mr. Odie supposed to be on his deathbed?


    Harold''s frown deepened. "How is this possible?"


    "Sorry to disappoint, but I''m not dead," Odie said, pulling out a Minton family crest from his pocket. With a flick, the crest spun through the air beforending back in his hand. "Recognize this? Every Minton bodyguard must salute the family leader''s crest."


    Odie cast a steely gaze at the Minton bodyguards behind Harold. "Are you blind?"


    "Not at all!" they chorused, heads bowed.


    Odie shot a challenging look at Harold. "I don''t care how the shareholders vote. The bodyguards answer to me, not you. You''re using my men-who I pay for-and pointing guns at me? Little greedy, don''t you think?"


    Harold''s scowl deepened. "What do you want?"


    Odieughed coldly, grabbing a nearby guard. "Where is she?"


    "Sir, she''s in the cer," the guard stammered.


    "Bring her to me," Odie demanded. "Got it?"


    "Yes, sir," the guard replied, not daring to disobey.


    Harold''s face darkened further. "Odie, you''re no longer the leader of the Mintons. Need I remind you of your current status?"


    "Mr. Aldridge, that''s not how this


    works," Odie retorted, suddenly disying a roguish defiance. "I still hold thergest share of the


    Mintons, making me the biggest


    shareholder. Commanding my own people is my right. You, an Aldridge, should stick to your own family business and stop coveting ours. And you have the nerve to remind me of my status?"


    Sophie could tell Odie was seething. Harold had unwittingly poked the bear, and there was no winning this verbal duel. She turned to James.


    "Mr. Burke, what''s your mov@now?"