Sophie asked Reece, and he let out a chuckle, saying, "You won''t believe it, but after work, I found this right on my doorstep." "What?" Sophie blinked, thinking she must have misheard.


    Reece continued, "Ever since you told me to keep an eye out, I reached out to some international contacts. They all came up empty. But the day after I asked around, this showed up at my door." Sophie got what Reece was implying.


    "So, you think someone found out you were digging and handed you a straight path to The Silent Shadows?" Sophie mused.


    "If that''s true, this group''s reach must be massive, and they could be using the entertainment industry to spread their influence."


    As Reece spoke, a light bulb went off in Sophie''s head. Thevish parties the Mintons hosted, packed with entertainment stars-whether they were has-beens or current sensations-were all part of the trap for wealthy businessmen. But if The Silent Shadows used the entertainment industry to spread their message, it wasn''t the stars luring the businessmen; it was the businessmen being ensnared by the stars linked to The Silent Shadows. Sophie didn''t want to dwell on it further. Following this train of thought led to a chilling possibility.


    The Silent Shadows'' power was global. The influence of stars could spread endlessly-one bes ten, ten be a hundred, a hundred be a thousand...


    She recalled Joseph''s obsession and his mysterious twenty-year disappearance. Joseph had left without a penny from the Burke family. How did he rise again? He had to have had someone backing him.


    It had to be The Silent Shadows.


    Just like Vanessa, who sacrificed everything for revenge. And Joseph, did he also give everything just to get his hands on the gemstones and rebuild his dreams?


    "Colby," Sophie''s voice trembled a bit as she said, "The Silent Shadows are after those four gemstones."


    It had to be those gemstones! When she woke up, Kiran and the gemstones were gone.


    Someone must''ve taken them. Was it Kiran?


    Meanwhile, at the Aldridge family estate overseas...


    Rick rushed into the study, cing a box before Gordon. "Sir, I found them!"


    "Open it," Gordonmanded.


    "Yes, sir," Rick replied, opening the box to reveal four gemstones nestled inside.


    Gordon''s eyes darkened as he


    looked at them. Sensing Gordon-e


    onlove


    unease, Rick added, "Sir, these were found at Kiran''s ce. They''ve gotta be real."


    Gordon picked up one gemstone, holding it to the light. It was crystal clear wless.  Clear Pawless. CoConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Swet


    Then, he let it fall onto the table, where it shattered into pieces.


    "How is that possible?" Rick was dumbfounded.


    These were the gemstones from Kiran''s ce. How could they be fake?


    "The gemstones were swapped," Gordon stated calmly.


    Paspet


    Rick "But Ms. Sandy said Kiran hardly left his ce this month, right?" Content belon Sistories


    Sandy''s word was reliable.


    swi


    Gordon pondered, "What if the gemstones were fake all along?"