"Nah, just pulling his leg."


    Sophie shook her head and said, "Odie hid that gemstone so well that even The Silent Shadows couldn''t sniff it out. They had no choice but to chase after Odie, which means he did a pretty good job hiding it. I think, for our safety, it''s best not to know where it is right now. Otherwise, the next ones in trouble could be us."


    "That''s why Odie mmed up."


    "I know," Sophie replied. "He''s worried that if we find out, The Silent Shadows will start targeting us. So if he keeps quiet, I won''t pry."


    "Then why did you act like you knew?"


    "Just messing around. If I guessed it that easily, my brain would be sharper than any of The Silent Shadows"."


    "My wife''s brain is always on point," Colby said as he yfully ruffled Sophie''s hair.


    "Cut it out. I think it''s not safe to head back to Devonport yet. Since The Silent Shadows have folks overseas, they must have a hideout. While we''re here, we might as well dig around and see if this so-called big boss is lurking abroad too." "Sounds good."


    Inside the car.


    Jonah chimed in, "Boss, next time something like this goes down, give me a heads-up, will you? You can''t just take off on your own."


    Odie, still a bit miffed at Sophie, grumbled, "Now you''re hanging on every word Sophie says."


    "Ms. Sophie is just looking out for you, boss. They''ve been running non-stop, from Summerfield to overseas. It''s been quite the journey." Hearing Jonah''s words, Odie fell silent.


    His eyes drifted to the scenes unfolding outside the window.


    He couldn''t help but think back to what happened not too long ago.


    About a month ago—N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    At the hospital.


    Gordon took off the day everything went down.


    Even though Gordon left quietly, Odie noticed him preparing to leave that day.


    "You''re really leaving?"


    The hospital corridor was drenched in the golden glow of sunset.


    When Gordon saw Odie, he wasn''t surprised and replied with a gentle smile, "Sticking around wouldn''t change a thing, except to be a nuisance." Odie frowned and said, "But she needs you."


    Even as an outsider, Odie could tell that Gordon was different for Sophie.


    On the surface, they were always polite.


    But politeness often means keeping a distance.


    "She doesn''t need me anymore. In fact, she has someone else now," Gordon said softly. "Maybe one day, I''ll need a favor from you, Mr. Odie I''ll reach out in a month. Of course, there be a reward. Once the job''s done, I''ll make sure you''re


    in


    "You''re nning to reward me?"


    "In a month, my folks will send you a package. Hide what''s inside as I instruct. Afterward, you might face some danger. But I figure Mr. Odie, who''s danced with danger a few times, won''t be too scared.


    Gordon gave a faint smile and


    continued, "Once the job''s done, the Mintons will be back in your hands. I promise, the Mintons will have a smoother path ahead. If the Mintons have a hankering for the treasures in the basement, Mr. Odie, you can help yourself. But remember, this stays between us. No one else, especially Ms. Sophie, can know."