Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

Even after countless sleepless nights, you've got to face the media and the public with a big smile plastered on your face. But that wasn't even the hardest part. The real kicker was when, after all the press stuff, you had to haul your tired self onto a plane to the next city. For two years, Sophie had been through the wringer, both physically and emotionally. But James? He'd been living this grind for over a decade. It was just part of the deal for him, and he'd gotten used to rolling solo.

Picking up on Sophie's thoughts, James gave a little chuckle and said, "I used to think the Burke family was a ball and chain for me. But over time, it turned into a habit. If there's ever a day without work, I'd be lost. I might just end up sitting at home, daydreaming my day away." "You could always be a teacher," Sophie suggested.

"A teacher?" James raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Odie's doing alright at Summerfield. He might come off as a bit of a klutz, but he's quick on the uptake. The Mintons are running legit businesses now, so you must be doing something right as a teacher." "Are you... sure about that?"

James pulled out his phone and placed it in front of Sophie. There were headlines about Odie, like "Minton's CEO Does Good Deeds, Fixes Up Slums, Offers Free Training and Jobs for Poor Families." "That's awesome!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Check out the next headline," James said.

The next headline read: "Minton's CEO Breaks into Home, Robs the Rich to Help the Poor! Detained for Fifteen Days, Fined Thirty Thousand Dollars After Bail."noveldrama

"Well, that's... interesting." Sophie tried not to laugh.

In the past couple of years, the Mintons had cleaned up their act, but they still had that fierce streak. Their ways were still a bit on the wild side, and they'd often show up unannounced, stirring up trouble. Small businesses didn't know what todo – too scared to call the cops, but not calling meant they might get pushed around.

"That's a bit of a gray area," Sophie mused, especially seeing the bit about the detention and the fine. Back in the day, breaking into a house was just another Tuesday f Odie. The stuff he used to pull could've landed him a life sentence. Now, little things like this were

for

making headlines.

"Mr. Burke has another meeting later, and we have a flight to catch, so we should head out," Sophie said as Colby suddenly pulled her close.

James tucked his phone away and said, "I hear Costello Corporation's been swamped lately. Got time for an exclusive, Mr. Colby?"

"No need to worry about that," Colby replied coolly.

"If you ever feel like you're in over your head, you could sell Costello Corporation to me. I'd offer a pretty penny for it."

"Not happening. Safe travels."

Sophie smirked at Colby's aloof tone and gave him a playful nudge. "Come on, Colby, show a little courtesy."

Colby reluctantly looked away. "I've already been more than courteous."

James said nothing, just turned and left the conference room. "If you

ever get tired of Colby, you can nee

always look my way," he tossed over his shoulder.

Colby's face darkened instantly. Over the past two years, James had become more audacious!

"Adler, make sure to flatten his tires for me!"

"What? Isn't that a bit much?" Adler hesitated.