Revenge is Best Served After Reborn (James)

The upcoming trip to the mountains tomorrow didn't promise to be a walk in the park.

Colby noticed that Sophie seemed a bit on edge, so he stepped up, took her hand, and reassured her, "Hey, don't worry. I'll make sure we've got enough people with us to keep everyone safe." "Alright," Sophie replied without a second thought.

It was clear they needed to be fully prepared for anything.

Later that evening, Sophie knocked on Gordon's door.

"Come on in," Gordon replied in a flat tone.

Sophie walked in and found Gordon deep in a game of chess, the room dimly lit, casting all sorts of eerie shadows.

"Mr. Gordon," she began.

"I know what you're about to ask," Gordon looked up and said. "You're curious about who's pulling the strings here, right?"

Sophie furrowed her brow and asked, "Is there really treasure in that mountain?"

"I honestly don't know," Gordon admitted, making Sophie frown even more. "You don't know?"

"That mountain was flattened by our ancestors over five years, decades ago. Since then, it's just been sitting there, neglected and overgrown. It's nothing but an old mountain path now. I've had people search it, but they came up empty-handed."

"So, Mr. Gordon, you've suspected all along that the mountain might hide a treasure?" Sophie challenged. "You know so many secrets, yet you keep so much to yourself. Mr. Gordon, seventy percent of what you say seems to be smoke and mirrors. I can't figure out what's real and what's not. Are you going to put us in danger, or are we just pieces in your grand game?"

Hearing this, Gordon paused mid-move.

"I respect you, Mr. Gordon, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to be your pawn. I don't want to be controlled," Sophie declared, turning on her heel and leaving his room.

Gordon looked down at the chess

piece in his hand and gave a faint

smile, though it felt like a knife went through his heart, leaving him breathless.

Eventually, he placed the piece back on the board.

Not wanting to be manipulated... that awareness is invaluable.

The next morning, everyone was up with the sun.

The drive from there to the outskirts would take a good two hours.

Adler, behind the wheel, was worn out, but everyone else was buzzing with excitement.

"Why am I always the one driving?" Adler grumbled.

This time he was driving

ve

with Jenna riding shotgun, and Sophie and Colby in the back, followed by Sandy and Angelo.

"Because you're the best driver we've got," Jenna laughed. "If you're fed up, I can take over later!"

"Let's not, it's a mountain road. Better if I drive," Adler insisted.

From the rearview mirror, he noticed

i esietly in the back , we're almost the net

Why the gloomy face?"

belongs to en.kikistorit

Sophie shook herself from her thoughts and realized everyone was looking at her.

"It's nothing... just feeling a bit uneasy," she admitted.

Jenna chimed in, "No need to worry. Didn't you see those two vans trailing us? They're full of Colby's guys!"

Angelo's eyes went wide, "Vans for folks? Whose bright idea was that?"

Jenna chuckled, "It's to keep a low profile. Ever seen anyone hauling people in vans before?"