When Sophie and Colby walked back in, Reece quickly found an excuse to end his call.


    Sophie asked, "Did you head out without letting Ada know?"


    "It''s work-rted this time. Ada was just briefing me on tomorrow''s schedule."


    Reece shut hisptop, noticing Sophie looking a bit frazzled. He remarked, "You two are back already? Seems like the investigation hit some bumps."


    "It''s not that it was bumpy, just a bit of a wild ride. Colby can fill you in on the details."


    With that, Sophie plopped down onto the couch. Colby, as was his routine, warmed up a cup of milk for Sophie and fetched a slice of cake from the fridge he''d prepped earlier. He didn''t stick around but instead headed to the kitchen to boil some eggs. Noticing that Colby wasn''t eager to chat, Reece raised an eyebrow, "Sophie, your husband doesn''t seem too fond of me."


    Hearing Reece call Sophie that again, Colby''s grip on the egg tightened until it exploded in his hand.


    Reece chuckled, "Seems like I''ve dropped in at the wrong time. Should I pack up and leave?"


    Despite his words, Reece made no move to get up. Sophie took a sip of her milk, "Don''t be silly. We''re all family here. Asking you to leave wouldn''t be right. Plus, you''re ourpany''s biggest star. Hotels are crawling with cameras, and any drama involving you could really impact us."


    "I didn''t realize I meant that much to you."


    Reece slowed his words, teasing, "Since you''re twisting my arm, I''ll stay, even if it''s reluctantly. I hope Mr. Colby and I can get along."


    As he said this, Reece''s eyesnded on Colby, his toneced with a subtle challenge. Picking up on the vibe, Colby''s icy stare met Reece''s. Most people would take that as a cue to back off. But Reece, ying innocent, asked, "Mr. Colby, is there something on my face?" "Hmm?"


    Sophie, catching onte, nced at Colby, who had already turned his focus to cleaning the kitchen counter.


    "I''ll get a room sorted for you so you


    can


    ttle in," she said, then


    remembered, "Oh, where''s luggage?" Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "I sent it ahead."


    Reece picked up hisptop, "Ada''s got me lined up with tasks, so I can''t stick around. I was just messing with you earlier. Tonight, I''ll crash at the hotel the event set up." belongs to


    V


    With that, Reece looked over at Colby, who was still fidgety in the kitchen, and added, "I''m practically family to Sophie. I was there at the main table for her wedding. Mr Colby, take good care of Sophie. Don''t let her get hurt."


    Colby''s frown deepened.


    Sophie, time and again.


    Who is this smooth talker?


    Sophie reassured, "Don''t worry, Colby never lets anything happen to me."


    "He might not let you be wronged, but he might let you get hurt."


    Reece''s eyes dropped to the bruise on Sophie''s thigh, something he''d noticed but hadn''t brought up.


    "You''re the most important person in my life..."


    Reece paused, sensing the tension from across the room, and with a sly grin, finished, "Business partner."