Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

"I only use people when they can help me reach my goals."

James's voice was icy. "If that's all, I'm hanging up."

"What if, one day, I ask you to take out Sophie? Would you?"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The guy on the other end sounded like he was testing the waters, probing with curiosity.

James responded flatly, "She's a woman who's no longer in my life, so I won't go easy on her." "Alright, remember you said that."

The line went dead.

James stared at the phone, now silent, then glanced at a bunch of missed calls from Angelo.

His brow furrowed deeply.

Sophie...

I hope you're tougher than you look.

Meanwhile, over at Burke Estate...

Angelo was pacing like a cat on a hot tin roof, clearly frazzled.

What the heck is happening?

James, you jerk! Not answering your phone!

Angelo tried calling James again, only to find himself blocked.

"Darn it! I'm done trusting you!"

With that, Angelo flung his phone aside. "You rat!"

Sandy walked in just in time to catch this scene.

She was taken aback. "Bro, what's up with you?"

Angelo's face was clouded with frustration for a moment.

When Sandy walked in, he pulled himself together. "It's just this mess with Sophie that's got me all wound up. It's not your problem. I'll work through it myself."

"But I saw Sophie go

downstairs

earlier, and she seemed fine. She's always got some trick up her sleeve and never lets anyone get the best

of her Bro, you're just looking out for her, don't let it stress you out."

QUMS

Sandy tugged at Angelo's sleeve, and he finally took a deep breath. "Alright, for you, I'll drop it." "That's the spirit."

Sandy grinned. "Hey, how about I call Dad? He dotes on me, he'd definitely step in to help Sophie!"

"Him? He'd be more likely to drag us back home than help. You're dreaming."

"But..."

Angelo was visibly irritated, gently nudging Sandy out of the room. "Enough, stop bugging me. I got myself into this mess, I'll figure out how to help Sophie."

"Bro!"

Before Sandy could protest, Angelo had already slammed the door shut.

Sandy stood outside, fuming.

Meanwhile, Sophie was gearing up for a press conference that afternoon. Before she left, she lingered outside Gordon's door, hesitating to go in. Eventually, Rick opened it from the inside.

He looked surprised to see Sophie. "Ms. Sophie, what brings you here?"

"Is Mr. Gordon awake?"

Sophie peeked into the room, and Rick replied, "He's up, but still pretty weak. Come on in."

Rick stepped aside.

Sophie walked in to see Gordon lying in bed, pale as a ghost, but with a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Seeing her, Gordon said, "I hear the house has been quite the hubbub these days."

"Sorry for disturbing your peace, Mr. Gordon."

Gordon waved it off. "No big deal, no need to apologize."