Sophie stood up, ready to leave, but James finally spoke, "Grandma went to thepany looking for you. I know all about it."


    Sophie stopped in her tracks. After a moment of silence, James said, "After all, she is my grandmother. I know you''ve been put in a tough spot many times because of this."


    Sophie didn''t reply but simply left the meeting room.


    The news that the two of them were going to appear on the show "Once Upon an Ex" instantly went viral, surpassing the buzz around tales of corporate feuds and the so-called real-life romance drama. Everyone was eager to peek into the daily lives of the domineering CEO and his delicate wife.


    However, skepticism filled thement section.


    [Isn''t "Once Upon an Ex" a show about divorced couples reuniting? Why are they appearing together?] [Insider scoop! They''ve already divorced! It''s just a show for the sake of stabilizing the stock market!] [To add to the abovement, financial experts have analyzed it! They''ve been divorced for a while!] [A friend of mine works at the civil affairs office. Their divorce was super secretive! But it still got leaked.]


    [That poor beauty is having to y house with such a cheating scumbag!]


    Browsing through thements, Sophie quickly realized this was Gordon''s doing.


    As for those negativements about James...


    Sophie looked up at Adler, who was furiously typing away at hisputer, and couldn''t help but say, "That''s enough, isn''t it? Now, one in every tenments in the section is calling James a jerk." "Damn! Colby said there should be one in every five! How much longer do I have to do this?"


    Adler was ready to quit. The CEO of Adler Enterprises was reduced to a troll! It was an affront to his dignity!


    Jenna ced dishes on the table and said, "We don''t have much choice. We could hire people to do this, but there''s always the risk of leaks. Plus, you''re good withputers."


    Everyone was gathered in Colby''s new house, a 6,000 square-foot mansion in the city center. Colby didn''t prefer arge home, but for the sake of space and certain essential amenities, 6,000 square feet was just right.


    "Finish up ande eat," Jenna called out as she set the table.


    Sophie put down her phone and nced at the table, then at Jenna in her apron, and asked, "Did you make all this?"


    "Her? Cook? Dream on. It''s all takeout!" Adler joined them from theputer, saying, "Her job was to transfer the takeout to tes, arrange them, and then set the table."


    Jenna red at Adler for exposing her, retorting, "Adler! What''s that supposed to mean?"


    "No offense. I''m just praising your excellent ting skills!"


    Jenna smacked Adler on the back of his head, and he quickly covered it with his hands while she continued to say, "It''s not my fault for ordering takeout. Colby''s been missing since morning. He left us the keys and sand disappeared. What''s he always so busy with?"


    "What else? Managing the Costello family business," Adler said between bites. "The entire Costello empire is now in Colby''s hands. His day is filled with signing documents and, sometimes, conducting inspections himself. With so many assets under the Costello name, meetings alone keep Colby busy." Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jenna asked curiously, "Why haven''t we ever heard him mention this?" "He spends his free time dating Sophie. Where''s the time to talk business?"


    Adler paused, then added, "Actually, today, he went back to the family estate."


    At the mention of "the family estate," Jenna''s mood turned serious. "Did the old man ask for him?"


    "Mr. Lennon?" Sophie inquired. She had met Lennon a few times, who seemed like a kind and gentle elder.


    Adler exined, "Even though Lennon has stepped down, his influence remains. That''s your father-inw, Ms. Sophie. Well, that''s tough luck."


    Meanwhile, in the spacious study of


    the Costello family mansion, Colby sat idly on the sofa while Lennon, seated in an executive chair, exuded an air of undeniable authority. "You''re interested in that girl from


    the Russell family."


    "Yes."


    "I remember her. Bring her here tomorrow for me to meet." Lennon''s tone brooked no argument.


    Colby, however, remained calm. "She won''te."


    The atmosphere between the two men was charged with tension.


    Lennon''s voice grew colder. "If I want to see her, I can have her brought here anytime."


    Colby''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Try it?"


    Suddenly, Lennon rose from his chair, and he lifted his cane angrily. "You little brat! Who gave you the audacity to speak to your grandfather like that!"