Chapter 1031

Just then, Cole turned up. As he walked over, he noticed Brandon fiddling with his phone and caught a glimpse of the photo on the screen, causing him to pause in surprise.

Bennett was quick on the draw, giving Brandon a gentle nudge. "Morning, Cole."

"Morning, Bennett," Cole replied, taking a casual sip from his coffee mug.

After setting his cup down, Cole cracked a smile. "Dad, was that an ultrasound you were just looking at? I caught the word 'pregnant.' Who's expecting?"

Brandon hadn't expected Cole to see the photo, let alone realize it was a pregnancy ultrasound. He felt a wave of embarrassment and wondered how to respond.

After a bit of thought, Brandon said, "Oh, it's from an old friend. He sent it to brag about becoming a great-grandfather soon, just trying to make me a little jealous."

Cole's eyes briefly clouded over but soon brightened again. "Dad, with Oliver and Josefina married, you'll have great-grandkids before you know it."

Brandon chuckled warmly. "I wouldn't dare rush them. You know, as parents, we should be patient and supportive."

Bennett nearly lost it, stifling a laugh. He couldn't help but remember who had been eager for grandkids not too long ago.

Cole, always sharp, caught the humor in the moment and kept his composure. "Dad, you're spot on. With understanding parents like you, who wouldn't want to hang around the family?"

Brandon felt a swell of pride, pleased to be seen as the open-minded and likable parent he aspired to be.

Nodding, Cole said, "Dad, I was thinking of visiting Mom's grave. It's been ages since I've been back, and she must be upset with me. I got some flowers and thought I'd go alone for a bit."

Mention of his late wife visibly softened Brandon's demeanor. "Your mom would be overjoyed to know you're back. I could join you."

"I'd like to go alone this time. It's been a while, and there are things I want to say," Cole replied, his voice carrying a note of sorrow.

"Alright, you go ahead. Don't forget her favorite snickerdoodles."

"I've already packed them," Cole said, leaving with a heavy heart.

...

At the cemetery, Cole held a bouquet of chrysanthemums in one hand and a box of snickerdoodles in the other. As he neared his mother's grave, a woman's voice sliced rough the quiet.

"Boss."

Cole didn't flinch. To his right, a

woman lay camouflaged so

perfectly with the grass that she was

practically invisible. Even binoculars

wouldn't have picked her out.

"I told you not to follow me! Westwood isn't like Japan. The people tailing me just

left; don't stir up more trouble."

"Boss, our experiment got cut short. Logan's involved. We need to find a way to bring him back."

"I'll take care of it. Wait for my signal."

"Yes, sir."

Cole added, "Have you figured out who Josefina really is? And my nephew Oliver, something about him seems off."

The woman, still camouflaged, answered respectfully, "Oliver has been in and out of military intelligence a couple of times. We suspect he might have ties there."

"And Josefina?"

"Josefina is also the designer Anya, the artist Gideon, a brilliant healer, and the brains behind JoyLife Tech. There are more identities were still digging into