Odie had just managed to wrestle back his authority from Harold, who''d snatched it away not too long ago. Sophie was a bit skeptical, wondering where Odie got the cash to snag such a high-value gemstone. With a casual shrug, Odie replied to Sophie''s doubts, "Who said I had to buy the stone?"


    "If you didn''t buy it, then how did you..." Sophie started, but then the penny dropped. She pped Odie''s arm yfully, narrowing her eyes. "You''re mixed up in shady business again, aren''t you?" "I''m not Colby! I just dabble in a bit of illegal trading. Just keep your crew in line, why worry about me?"


    Colby, standing nearby, shot Odie a look that practically screamed: Upset my wife one more time, and see what happens.


    Odie took a deep breath, "Rx, I didn''t hurt him. The trade was all above board, and I''m paying him in installments-he''s not losing out."


    With that reassurance, Sophie leaned in, "So, where''d you stash that gemstone?"


    "I''ve got it hidden. No way I''m letting them find it easily! That rock cost me a pretty penny. Handing it over just like that? Not a chance."


    "So basically, you''re saying The Silent Shadows have always been on a mission to collect rare stones? And these gems might lure out their leader?"


    "That''s my hunch, and after all this, I''m pretty sure I''m onto something."


    "Wow, Mr. Odie, I didn''t know you had it in you. I''ve been underestimating you."


    Sophie looked at him with newfound respect. Odie frowned, "Did you think Colby was the only one with brains? I''ve just been keeping mine under wraps." "Well, you''ve done a good job of it."


    met


    Sophie nodded, "But you can''t stick around in that overseas hospital anymore. I''ve arranged for the Aldridge family to get you back to Devonport today. It''s not safe abroad, and your home there isn''t secure either. You''d be better off recovering at the Aldridge Estate. They''ve got top-notch medical facilities, and William''s been set up there to look after your... uh, less-than-perfect health. I reckon two or three months should do the trick, right?"


    "What do you mean ''less-than-perfect''? Sophie, do you listen to yourself?"


    Seeing Odie getting worked up, Sophie signaled to the folks standing by the door, "Hey, can youe in? We need a hand getting Mr. Odie ready to leave. He''s a bit delicate right now, so easy does it, or he might get grumpy." Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Sure enough, a crew came bustling in.


    Seeing this, Odie''s face fell. The Aldridge team had him on a


    stretch


    Ove


    in no time, and Jonah had


    somehow already sorted the


    discharge papers.


    Odie was stuck,pletely at their mercy.


    Sophie and Colby got up to leave too. Sophie said, "Colby, let''s get going. We need to secure Mr. Odie''s hidden treasure."


    "But I never said where it is!"


    "You didn''t have to-I figured it out."


    "You..."


    As Odie was whisked away, Colby asked, "Did you really figure it out?"