Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James)

Sophie went on, "The reason The Silent Shadows are everywhere is because they've got members all over the place. They start by making connections, then coax people into joining, widening their circle. But honestly, the typical wealthy businessmen and celebs are just working for the core folks of The Silent Shadows. They never really meet the main players; they're just swapping services, trading what they need. Businessmen want power and money, and The Silent Shadows want their connections. When the time comes, they can get these guys to do anything for them."

"So, you think it's that Cassidy guy?" Harold jumped straight to the point.

Odie chimed in, "Who's Cassidy? That pretty boy you're always seen with at the hotel?"

Sophie shook her head, "No, not him."

Harold pressed, "If it's not him, why'd you take him along?"

Sophie explained, "The Silent Shadows members aren't stupid. I walked right into their den, hit up their club, picked their model, and then took one of their guys to the hotel. Isn't that like waving a flag that I'm investigating them on their turf? Plus, if I'm alone with one of them and something goes wrong, who's gonna have my back? If we spook them now, getting close will be a nightmare later."

"Then who's really in The Silent Shadows?" Odie asked, but Sophie stayed mum.

"It doesn't matter who's involved. What matters is your safety," James stood up, looking serious. "Have you thought about how risky this is? The closer you get to The Silent Shadows, the more dangerous it becomes. The Mintons have dug up loads of secrets on the Summerfield businessmen over the years, but that's probably peanuts compared to what The Silent Shadows have. They're not Joseph; they're not something the four big families can tackle just by teaming up. If you're planning to go solo, have you thought about the risks?"

Harold stepped up, standing firm in front of Sophie, "We've got her safety covered, Mr. Burke. No need for you to worry."

"You?" James scoffed, "Talk to me when you've reached Gordon's level."

Harold scowled.

Sophie quickly intervened, "I've thought about my safety. The Silent Shadows aren't Joseph. As long as I

don'tstep on their toes, then't

touch me for now."

"You said it yourself, that's just for now," James's eyes darkened, "If you hit their core, they'll treat you like they did Odie. Odie held on, but can you?" Sophie went quiet.

James raised his voice, "Sophie! I'm asking you! Can you?"

"I might not... be able to."

Sophie's eyes drifted as she

continued, "But they've already come to us. You can't expect me to give up and beg those who've hurt our families. I can't do it, Colby can't, and neither can Harold.

Swould

you?"

James fell silent.

The death of Joseph, the loss of Sophie and Colby's parents, the Aldridge brothers' parents, and Gordon's legs.

Who could just let it go and move on? If The Silent Shadows hadn't been around, Joseph wouldn't have gone off the deep end over those four gemstones, and everything that happened after wouldn't have gone down.

swnt