Security halted Jenna and Adler right in their tracks.


    Adler frowned, puzzled, "What do you mean? Is Harold the one pulling the strings here?"


    "Exactly," the guard replied. "Ms. Sophie has made it clear she doesn''t want to see anyone right now. So, Ms. Jenna, Mr. Adler, I''m afraid you''ll have to leave."


    "I don''t buy it! Sophie texted me justst night. Why wouldn''t she want to see me now?"


    Jenna, exasperated, called out towards the Aldridge Estate, "Sophie! It''s me! We''vee to see you!"


    "Ms. Jenna! Please, no shouting outside the Aldridge Estate!" the security guard intervened, firmly but politely.


    Jenna and Adler were no strangers to the Aldridge family''s security team, having stayed there before. But seeing the guard''s unwavering stance, Jenna decided to cut to the chase. "Come on, we''ve met before. How much to let us in?" "Ms. Jenna, it''s not about the money," the guard insisted.


    "So, what then? I have to muscle my way in?"


    Jenna''s frustration was evident as she clenched her fist. The security guard, noticing her stance, quickly stepped back and radioed in for backup.


    In no time, the estate''s rm system red to life, and a squad of the Aldridge family''s bodyguards lined up in front of Jenna.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    Jenna almost chuckled in disbelief, "Is this Harold''s masterpiece? Back when Gordon was in charge, did we ever see such theatrics? Harold''s acting like a wannabe mob boss, using the Aldridge family''s top security like this!" "Mr. Aldridge has made it clear, Ms. Sophie''s safety is our top concern. Please, Ms. Jenna, don''t make this difficult."


    "Alright, I won''t make it hard. I''ll just call Sophie. If she agrees to see me, you''ll have to step aside."


    "That''s not going to happen either."


    Jenna was dumbfounded, "What does that even mean?"


    "Mr. Aldridge has decreed that anyone linked to Colby is not


    allowed in. Not only that, but the


    can''t disturb Ms. Sophie either, or else... we''ll have to act."


    "That little twerp..." Jenna fumed, rolling up her sleeves. Adler quickly intervened, "Jenna, Jenna! Take it


    easyLet''s not lose our ove


    "How can I stay calm? Colby''s gallivanting overseas, and Sophie''s throwing a fit back in Devonport. What''s going on with them?!"


    Jenna was at her wits'' end, dealing with a troublesome brother, a ky boyfriend, and now Sophie was adding to the chaos.


    "I doubt Harold meant it like that. Let''s just head back for now, okay?" Adler coaxed, trying to soothe her.


    Finally, Jenna relented and headed back to the car with Adler.


    Up on the second floor of the estate, Sophie watched the scene unfold outside, lost in thought.


    "Are you really not going to see them?" Harold asked.


    "I can''t," Sophie replied. "The Silent Shadows are on the prowl for Odie. They''ll be watching the Aldridge


    Estate closely. If Jenna and Adler et


    get mixed up in this, it''ll just be bigger mess. As far as The Silent Shadows know, I''m still mad at Colby. Meeting them now would onlyplicate things."


    Harold sighed, "You always put others first. When are you going to think about yourself?"


    Sophie paused, then smiled, "I always said I was a bit selfish. Keeping them out of this is me looking out for myself." "You''re not being honest with yourself."