Odie''s face darkened for a moment as he snatched the candy wrapper from Sophie''s hand and tossed it into the trash. "He''s just talking nonsense," he said.


    Sophie''s lips curled into a slight smile. Clearly, his sweet tooth was a well-kept secret no more.


    "Eat if you want, spit it out if you don''t," she quipped, turning on her heel to leave Odie''s room.


    Out of nowhere, Odie called after her, "Thanks."


    "Hmm? For what?" Sophie paused, ncing back to see Odie looking away. "I don''t repeat mypliments," he muttered.


    "I know exactly what you meant," Sophie replied, waving her hand as she headed out. "The candy was a little souvenir from the ne. Help yourself if you want more."


    In a quick move, Odie tossed a pillow her way. But Sophie was too quick; she was already out the door before it could reach her, the pillow hitting the door with a soft thud. Outside, Harold had prepared a special room for her, one she and Colby hadn''t used before. Sophie smiled appreciatively. "Thanks a lot for this."


    Harold hesitated briefly. "What if Colby actually shows up..."


    Sophie chuckled softly. "We''ll cross that bridge when we get there."


    "Get some rest. If you need anything, just holler."


    "Don''t worry, I''m not shy about asking," Sophie assured him with a grin.


    "Alright then."


    Once back in her room, Sophie finally checked her phone. It was filled with messages from Jenna, checking if she''d made it to Devonport. Seeing Jenna''s concern, Sophie replied calmly: Just arrived in Devonport, all is good.


    After sending the message, she


    d her phone shut,


    deciding to


    ignore the rest of her notifications


    for


    .


    The following morning, at the airport...


    "Hurry up! We need to move!" Jenna urged, leading the charge with her suitcase.


    Adler struggled to keep pace, panting, "Jenna! Slow down... I can''t keep up!"


    "Why are you dragging your feet?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Jenna was practically hauling all their luggage, yet Adler was stillgging behind.


    Watching Adler struggle, Jenna shook her head with a sigh, stepping forward to grab his suitcase.


    Adler quickly reimed the suitcase,


    insisting with a hint of pride, "Jenna, I''m a man. I can''t let you carry my stuff It''s embarrassing! Give it here!"


    ABUMS


    He attempted to lift the suitcase, but it was too heavy, slipping from his grasp almost immediately.


    Jenna crossed her arms, exasperated. "Adler, this isn''t a joke. We need to get to Aldridge Estate pronto."


    "Yeah, got it," Adler conceded, handing the suitcase back to Jenna.


    Jenna, in her sky-high heels, effortlessly carried the suitcases, striding out of the airport with grace. At Aldridge Estate...


    Sophie was up bright and early. As she drew the curtains, she spotted Jenna with her suitcases outside the estate, Adler trailing behind her.


    Sophie knew they''de back eventually, but she hadn''t expected it to be this soon.


    "Ms. Jenna, Mr. Aldridge isn''t seeing visitors right now," the guard informed. "You can''t go in."