"I feel the same way. With friends like you having my back, I''m not scared at all."


    Hearing Sophie''s words, Reece couldn''t help but smile, a teasing edge to his voice as he said, "Friends? Sophie, you''ve pushed everyone away to face The Silent Shadows alone." Sophie gave a soft smile, her determination shining through. "But I''ve still got you, right?"


    "Does that mean I''m important to you?" Reece asked, his gaze locking onto hers, looking for a real answer.


    "You were the first to believe in me when I had nothing, the one who stuck by me through thick and thin. You mean the world to me."


    In a previous life, she felt indebted to him. In this one, she nned to help him reach the pinnacle of sess.


    And he, in turn, was ready to use every ounce of his resources to support her rise.


    Reece stared at Sophie for a while, not saying a word.


    Finally, he said, "Your words mean everything to me."


    "Take a break from work for now. Stop digging into The Silent Shadows. I think you''ll be safe with the Pord family."


    Sophie stood up and ced a bag of choctes on Reece''s bedside table. "I got these for you from that chocte shop around the corner. Your manager mentioned you''re a fan, always stopping by. Focus on getting better and don''t worry about anything else." Reece looked at the bag of choctes, silent.


    Only after Sophie left did he pick up the bag.


    The choctes, each uniquely shaped, were elegantly arranged in a ninepartment box.


    He picked out the heart-shaped one from the center. Under the light, he could just make out the white filling inside.


    A soft smile tugged at his lips.


    The chocte tasted bitter at first


    but quickly melted into a surprising sweetness, with a fleeting tang that perfectly bnced the voro


    Delicious, he thought.


    swno''


    Though he had bought them many times, this was his first taste.


    He used to think that chocte shop was all about looks, that their choctes wouldn''t taste as good as they looked.


    Turns out, he was wrong.


    Just then, his phone rang.


    Reece''s expression turned icy as he answered, "I told you not to call me again."


    "The coke''s gone...please, I''m begging you, just a bit more...I''ll pay any price! Whatever you want, do it! Just give me some more..i''m desperate here!"


    "Anything?" Reece asked.


    "Anything! Absolutely anything!"


    "Then hand over everything you own to The


    for tent Shadows. If you''re I give you more cokeet


    you could ever use."


    With that, Reece hung up, his face emotionless.


    thanThis text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    He nced back at the box of choctes but didn''t take another. Instead, he dialed the number on the small card inside the box.


    "Get a hundred boxes of choctes ready and deliver them to 101 Birch Lane."


    "Right away, Mr. Reece."


    Meanwhile, Sophie had gotten back into her car, her phone lighting up with calls from Kena.