Chapter 1101

Cole sat there, swirling his glass of red wine, looking like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Makiko was beside him, silent and unsure, her mind racing with thoughts. Things had gone sideways, and neither of them was in a particularly cheerful mood.

In a hushed voice, Makiko asked, "Cole, what do we do next?" This trip to the States couldn't just fall apart like this. They were here for something important.

"For now, we lay low, keep our heads down," Cole replied, his voice calm but firm.

Makiko wasn't one to shy away from taking the initiative, but with Cole, she was willing to follow his lead. "Alright, Cole. If you say we lay low, that's what we'll do." "Makiko, when I say lay low, I mean in every way possible. You've taken care of the loose ends, but are you absolutely sure you weren't noticed?"

Makiko's heart skipped a beat as she realized the full weight of Cole's words. "I got it," she nodded, understanding.

She got up and headed to the bathroom. As she looked at the curling iron on the counter, her eyes hardened with determination.

Leah had just finished her sketch and handed it to Josefina. "This is what I saw. It was pretty dark, so I can't say for sure if it's spot-on."

Josefina glanced at the drawing and tucked it safely into her bag. "You need to stay put and heal up. Once you're better, find somewhere quiet to lay low until things blow over."

Leah huffed, her stubbornness evident. "I am not running away! I'm going to find this person and give her a taste of her own medicine—tenfold!"

Luke chimed in with a teasing tone, "Oh sure, talking big is easy, isn't it?"

Leah shot him a look that could kill, "Shut up!"

Luke smirked, "You think you can just tell me to shut up and I will? Who do you think you are?"

Seeing the argument about to escalate, Josefina quickly intervened, "Luke, why don't you walk me out? It's time for me to head back."

"Sure thing, boss. After you." Luke's demeanor shifted instantly to one of deference. Just moments ago, he was bickering with Leah, and now he was the picture of obedience, much to Leah's frustration, who almost slammed something out of sheer annoyance.

As Luke escorted Josefina to her car, she turned to him, "Try not to antagonize Leah too much."

Luke was about to question Josefina's sudden compassion when she added, "If she keels over from the stress, we'll have a whole new mess on our hands."

Luke chuckled, "Boss, you're really something else."

Josefina just sighed, "I'm serious, Luke. Just think about it."

"Boss, I hear you loud and clear. I might give her a hard time, but I'm not about to let her drop dead on us. That'd bring the cops around and I'm not looking for that kind of trouble."

Josefina nodded, pleased with his understanding. "Good. Remember to stay safe yourself."

"Absolutely, boss."

Josefina got into her car and drove off.

Luke returned upstairs, grabbing his car keys, ready to head out. Leah, sipping on her herbal tea, saw him come back and teased, "Back so soon? Missed me, did you?"

Luke rolled his eyes, "You? Not a chance."

Leah, ever the confident, striking woman, was unbothered. Despite being five years his senior, she was young at heart and knew she had both the looks and the means. With a smirk, she quipped, "Oh, maybe you're into Flana, then? Too bad, her man is leagues ahead of you. I've seen him—he's got the looks and the charm you could only dream of."