Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James)

Everyone was just having a bit of fun; it was no big deal. But now, things in Devonport were getting complicated. Sophie was finding it harder and harder to tell who was a friend and who was an enemy.

After a moment of silence, Angelo finally spoke up, "Sophie, I've got to be straight with you. I was asked to stay by your side, but I can't tell you who put me up to it. I swear, I never meant to betray anyone. And about Kiran showing up honestly, I have no idea what's going on."

Sophie just stared at Angelo, not saying a word. Trusting him was easier said than done. Gordon had taught her to question everything, but doubting the people around her was the last thing she wanted to do.

"Alright, words aren't enough. Let's check the surveillance footage. That'll clear things up-whether you were really knocked out in the back garden yesterday."

"What?" Angelo looked puzzled, but Sophie had already called the Aldridge family's surveillance room.

The call didn't go through right away, so she dialed Rick instead.

"Ms. Sophie, what's up?" Rick answered.

"Rick, I need to see the surveillance footage from last night at the Burke Estate garden."

Rick sounded apologetic, "I'm sorry, Ms. Sophie, but the surveillance system's still down for maintenance. We can't pull last night's footage."

Sophie's face darkened. "Got it," she said quietly before hanging up.

Angelo asked, "So, what now?"

Sophie stared at him for a moment, looking like she wanted to say something but then stopped herself. "You..."

"Me?"

"Forget it." Sophie sighed. "I guess I was being paranoid. Don't take it personally, Angelo."

Angelo smiled, "No worries! I'm pretty laid-back. It's normal for you to have doubts, but I promise you, I'd never betray a friend."

Sophie gave him a small smile but didn't say anything. After Angelo left, her expression turned serious again.

The Aldridge family's surveillance

was down. Since Timothy's incident, it had been "under maintenance." For a family known for its top-notch security, that sounded fishy. Was Gordon hiding something?

Suddenly, the door swung open.

"Who is it?" Sophie asked, almost reflexively.

"It's me." Colby stood at the door, looking sharp in his suit, clearly just back from a company meeting. Sophie asked, "Did you find anything?"

"Yeah." Colby pulled a bullet casing out of his pocket. "This type of bullet is from the Mintons at Summerfield, usually used in shooting ranges for rich folks. Normally, you can't take these bullets out, so whoever got their hands on them must be someone high up."

"Don't tell me it was Harold."

The day after Lennon's incident, Harold had smoothly stepped into power. It was almost too perfect. How could she not be suspicious?

Colby looked tired but seemed to

relax a bit as he pulled Sophie into his arms. His eyes were cold, and

his voice even colder, "I'll kill

bim."