and their enemies inside out, just like Gordon had always taught her.


    Watching James''s face, Sophie could tell he was just as tied up in this as she was. Avenging their family was something they had to do. But there was no way they could let The Silent Shadows hurt the people they cared about. To pull that off, they had to know themselves Sophie said, "If you''re scared, James, I''ll handle it. I wasn''t nning on telling you anyway, and I hope you can respect my decision."


    James pressed his lips together, staying quiet. Whether it was back then or now, he always thought he could protect Sophie by loving her his way. But he never really considered what she wanted. How many people have used ''it''s for your own good'' as an excuse to cause trouble?


    James said, "Alright, we''ll do it your way. But you need to know, if something happens to you, the people who care about you... they won''t be happy."


    "Mr. Burke, you''re worrying too much. I''m a selfish woman, and when ites to life and death, I''d choose to survive, not sh with the enemy head-on." "As long as you understand."


    James added, "If you need anything, have Tricia reach out to me at Burke International."


    "Sure."


    Once Sophie agreed, Harold stepped up, took her arm, and pulled her behind him, saying, "No need to worry, Mr. Burke. Even if Sophie runs into trouble, the Aldridge family will keep her safe."


    James just shot Harold a cold look and left without another word. As James walked away, Harold frowned openly, muttering, "So annoying."


    "Come on, he means well," Sophie pointed out to Harold. "I might need to crash here for a bit, so I might be a bother for a while."


    "Stay as long as you need, I don''t mind. It''s just Colby..."


    "He probably won''t be back for a while."


    Sophie''s eyes darkened at the


    mention of Colby. Odie, lying in bed, picked up on it but stayed silent. Harold, however, said, "Whether hees back or not, I promised my brother I''d look after you."


    Sophie looked up, puzzled by his words. When she met Harold''s curious gaze, he quickly shifted his eyes and changed the topic


    smoothly, "I''ll get someone to set up a room for you."  en


    "Alright."


    Sophie didn''t dwell on it and nned to leave after Harold. But then, Odie suddenly spoke up, "Sophie."


    "What is it?" Sophie frowned, asking, "We''ve covered everything. What else is there?"


    "Why the lie?"


    "What lie?"Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    "The one who killed your parents was Joseph. Even if The Silent Shadows were involved, you''re not the type to dive into danger. Joseph''s gone, and the grudge is settled. No need for you to stay abroad or dig into The Silen


    Shadows. They weren''t even aiming at you and Colby."


    "Who says they weren''t? Aren''t we in this mess because of The Silent Shadows?"


    "That''s because you were poking around, and you hit a nerve. You know what I''m talking about, so don''t y dumb."