The night was deep.


    Sophie and the others had been waiting for Reece''s response.


    "Why haven''t we heard anything yet? It''s gettingte. Could it be that they don''t trust us?"


    Jenna was getting anxious. If The Silent Shadows truly didn''t trust them, then they were in a difficult position.


    "Just wait a little longer. I believe they will respond," Sophie said, her grip tight on her cellphone.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    She had promised Jonah to bring Odie back, and she was determined not to break her word.


    Under everyone''s watchful eyes, a text soon arrived on Sophie''s phone. When they realized it was from Reece, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Just as Sophie had said, The Silent Shadows couldn''t dismiss the risk that they really had the gemstone.


    If the gemstone in The Silent Shadows'' possession turned out to be a fake, Reece and his crew couldn''t afford to take that risk.


    "Colby, it''s all up to you now."


    The Costello family had all their ns set in Devonport, where they held absolute military power.


    The Aldridge family possessed the strongest bodyguards and intelligence team.


    Jenna and Adler provided the best backup.


    But for this meeting, Sophie had to take the lead herself.


    "Do we have to rush this? Your injuries haven''t healed. Maybe we could wait until you''re better..."


    Before Jenna could finish, Sophie shook her head, saying, "Every day Odie is with The Silent Shadows is a day of risk I can''t afford. Just like The Silent Shadows can''t afford the risk of the gemstone being inour hands."


    "Sophie''s right. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it bes. Who knows what those bastards at The Silent Shadows might do? It''s better to take the initiative," Adler interjected. Jenna understood what Adler meant, but she couldn''t help worrying about Sophie''s safety after all the injuries she had sustained in recent months.


    "Colby, I can''t be sure whether this


    meeting is a trap or not, but it''s an opportunity for us. Since the person behind this has agreed to meet with us, we should seize the chance, right?"


    en


    Sophie held Colby''s hand, noticing the worried nces he had been giving her since the beginning.


    "I trust you Colby said. "But you


    have to promise me you''ll take care of yourself and not put yourself in danger. And you have to trust me, trust all of us, to protect you and be strongest support."


    YON


    "I know."


    A faint smile appeared on Sophie''s face.


    They had supported each other all this way, and even though they were now at a critical juncture, they would never give up on each other. Whispers filled the church in Devonport.


    The flickering candlelight inside the church illuminated the solemn faces of The Silent Shadows'' core members, seated with candles in hand, murmuring prayers. Standing at the forefront, the ''leader'' appeared invincible, like a deity.


    A man cloaked in a ck cape slowly entered the church, the only one without a mask. When he lifted his head, it was Reece''s face that was revealed.


    "Sophie and the others want to see you, and I have agreed," Reece said in a calm tone, causing a stir of fear and tension among the whispers. "Then let''s meet."