Chapter 17
“Do you have something urgent to take care of soon?”
“Nothing really important.”
“You don’t need to drop me off. I can get back on my own.”
“Devonport may seem calm, but it’s dangerous, especially since you’re James’ wife.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Colby, James isn’t like you. He’s a legitimate businessman.”
Colby said indifferently, “In a place mixed with all sorts of business, even James might not be clean.”
Sophie didn’t argue against Colby’s words,
In her past life, she had been married to James for many years, and James never involved her in the Burke family’s affairs.
On the surface, James was a legitimate businessman, but how could a man wielding absolute power in Devonport be entirely clean?
Perhaps James hid it deeper, and Colby didn’t bother to hide. After all, rumors had it that Colby had no weaknesses.
“Ms. Sophie, we’ve arrived.”
Adler parked the car in front of the grand entrance of the Burke family mansion. The lights of the Burke residence were still off, meaning that James hadn’t returned yet.
“Thank you, Colby, and thank you, Adler.”
Sophie got out of the car.
Colby watched as Sophie entered the gates of the Burke family mansion before rolling up the window, saying to Adler, “Let’s go.”
“Did you finally remember we had to leave now? Did you forget you had a deal with Ryan at midnight?”
Adler glanced at the time. “And you’re already late!”
“Then let him wait,” Colby replied coldly. “If that b s t a r d doesn’t bring the goods, I’ll chop off one of his
hands.”
Meanwhile, just as Sophie pushed open the door to the house, she sensed something was off.
Marian knew she was afraid of the dark. Normally, she would leave a light on in the living room, but now, it was totally dark.
“James? Are you back?”
There was no response for a long time.
Realizing something was wrong, Sophie was about to leave when suddenly a large hand covered her mouth.
“The hell with you, you bit ch! You’ve cost me everything!”
Sophie tried to break free, but the man was too strong. In her struggle, she managed to pull out a lighter
13:16
from her purse and set it on the man’s wrist.
The man recoiled in pain, stumbling back several steps, and Sophie ediately dashed for the door.
James! James! She kept calling his name in her heart.
As she ran, she took out her phone and dialed James’ number.
“Hello?”
*James! Where are you? You need to come home! There’s someone in the house…”
Before Sophie could finish, her phone was knocked to the ground. A van stopped in front of Sophie, its headlights blinding her.
On the other end of the phone, James frowned. “Sophie?”
“To save your wife, bring ten billion!”
James’ eyes grew cold as the caller hung up.
“Mr. Burke, is everything okay?”
Nichole was by James’ side and noticed the change in his demeanor.
James was almost grinding his teeth as he said, “Go home!”
The driver was startled. “But Mr. Burke, we’re almost at the dormitory.”
“I told you to drive home!”
“Yes, Mr. Burke!”
Nichole had never seen James so anxious. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“Something happened to Sophie”
“Sophie? What happened to her?”
James ignored Nichole. His mind was racing. He felt the voice on the phone was familiar but couldn’t. place it.
The night deepened, and Adler had parked outside an abandoned car factory. Colby stepped out of the car, realizing that Ryan and his group hadn’t arrived yet.
Adler cursed under his breath, “Dam n it, this b a s a r d was later than us? He’s asking for a beating!”
Colby lit a cigarette, and shortly after, a van sped towards them. Ryan tumbled out of the vehicle.
“Mr. Colby! Mr. Adler! I… I got held up on the way.” Ryan smiled ingratiatingly.
“Where’s the money?” Adler asked.
“Some dam n woman messed things up! I got delayed because I had her kidnapped.”
Adler impatiently said, “Enough, enough. Who asked you about that? I’m asking where what we want is.”
“That, that item was bought by that bitc h! But no worries, her husband is rich. I’ve already had someone call her husband. To save his wife, he’ll have to pay ten billion ransom! That money is worth much more than that land!”
Colby replied coldly, “Make it quick then. My time is precious.”
13.16
“Rest assured! I told James, if he can’t produce ten billion within an hour, I’ll kill her!”
Suddenly, Colby’s pupils dilated. He grabbed Ryan by the collar, his say?”
e as cold as ice. “Who did you
“James…” Ryan trembled under Colby’s gaze.
Colby’s voice grew even colder. “Who did you kidnap?”
“Sophie Russell! She’s James’ wife! She s n a tc h e d that piece of land that could have been bought for a few billion, so I-”
Before Ryan could finish, Colby kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling.
Danger tinged Colby’s tone. “Where is she?”