The Chief had given a quick rundown of the situation in Summerfield, and it was clear that getting Sophie out was going to be a tough nut to crack.


    "Don''t worry," Sophie said with a calm defiance, "we still don''t know for sure who the real culprit is, right, Chief?"


    "That''s correct. Our team is still investigating, but for now, Ms. Sophie, you''ll have to bear some inconvenience as a suspect," the Chief replied, signaling his officers to take action.


    The police moved in swiftly, taking Sophie into custody. Meanwhile, two young men, still on their knees, were being held by the Aldridge family''s bodyguards.


    The Chief nced at the young men, "These two were taken as hostages. They need toe with us for questioning. Please release them."


    Reluctantly, remembering Sophie''s earlier instructions, the men let the young hostages go. Spencer''s face broke into a smile, confident in his boss''s loyalty, while Robert was visibly shaken by the whole ordeal.


    Back in Devonport, Harold was the first to catch wind of the situation from the overseas bodyguards. Hearing that Sophie had been taken by Summerfield''s police, his nerves frayed. "What did I tell you all before I left? Ms. Sophie''s safety is the top priority! How did you let the Summerfield police get their hands on her?"


    "Mr. Aldridge, we followed your orders to the letter. But Ms. Sophie insisted we stay out of it and return to Devonport. She even told us not to attempt a rescue."


    "That''s ridiculous!" Harold snapped, mming the phone down. He stormed off to Odie''s room, his anger palpable.


    The door flew open with a bang. "Mr. Aldridge, ever heard of knocking? Patients need their rest!" Odie grumbled, clearly miffed by the intrusion.


    "Sophie''s been nabbed by your Summerfield police! Care to exin?"


    "Sophie got taken?" Odie tried to get up, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. Jonah rushed to steady him.


    "Mr. Aldridge," Jonah interjected, "this isn''t our boss''s doing. If you need answers, you''re barking up the wrong tree."


    "Isn''t Summerfield your boss''s territory? Who else should I ask?"


    With a steely tone, Harold insisted, "I don''t care what strings your boss can Tell him to call the Chief and get her out-now!"


    Odie shot back with a cold stare, "You think


    I haven''t already? I gaveet


    Summerfield a heads-up.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    shouldn''t be happening


    em.


    "Seems like the cops over there aren''t taking you seriously anymore," Harold mocked, his words sharpening Odie''s gaze.


    "Looking for a fight, Harold?" Odie retorted, his patience wearing thin.


    Jonah quickly interjected, "Boss, keep it cool!"


    Odie, with a calm but firm voice, said, "If I''ve already made the calls and Sophie''s still in trouble, then someone with more clout is pulling strings. Otherwise, she''d never have been taken."  en


    Harold frowned, deep in thought. "Could The Silent Shadows have beaten us to the punch?"


    "I was against her going to Summerfield alone, and now look at the mess. Who''s fixing this? You?"