Chapter 1113

It was a bright morning at the Baldwin family estate. Oliver had brought Josefina along to see Brandon, and Rowan was there too.

Rowan looked noticeably slimmer and seemed to have a spring in his step, a far cry from his former troubled self. Without the weight of his past worries and with his drinking under control, he carried himself with a newfound grace.

Once everyone was gathered, Brandon got straight to the point. "I've called you all here because I'm planning to buy a house for Cole and his family."

Everyone, except for Cole and his family, took the news in stride. Josefina didn't have much to say it was Brandon's money, after all, and the one who pays calls the shots.

Cole and his family, however, were caught off guard. Why the sudden push to move out? Cole couldn't help but wonder if Brandon had uncovered some family secret. Otherwise, why the abrupt move?

In Cole's narrow view, he thought Brandon was trying to kick him out. But most people would be thrilled at the idea of their father buying them a mansion. Not Cole.

Brandon continued, "You've been back for a while now. I think it's time you young folks had your own space. The place isn't too far from here."

Bennett slid a contract across the table to Cole. "This is the deed for a villa Mr. Baldwin bought, and it's in your name."

Brandon hoped this gesture would bridge the gap and show his youngest son a bit of the paternal care he might have felt was missing.

Cole glanced at the paperwork. The property was definitely in the upscale area he had been eyeing, priced at a staggering $15 million. It was more than enough space for his family of five.

Yet, both Cole and Makiko were dissatisfied. Surely, theirs was the shabbiest dwelling in the entire Baldwin family!

While these thoughts brewed in Cole's mind, he outwardly declined, "Dad, I can't accept such a generous gift We've managed well enough on our own We might not afford a place as luxurious, but we're not homeless."

Brandon, seeing right through Cole's façade, felt a pang of disappointment. It wasn't

the kind of anger that explodes but a cold, quiet disenchantment.

"Well, if that's how you feel, then maybe it's best you don't move into the house wanted to provid you, but if you're set on proving yourself, I'll respect that."

Cole's family was thrown into a tizzy. This wasn't how they saw things going!

Cole stammered, "Dad, I—"

"Cole, I understand," Brandon interrupted calmly. "You want to prove yourself now that you're back. I get it."

Rowan chimed in with his two cents, "Little brother, we all get it, including Dorian. Don't worry about your earnings; you're still part of the family."

Cole was left speechless. Rowan, that fool!

He couldn't help but admire Brandon's patience. Despite

Rowan's reckless behavior, he was still around. Had Brandon turned into some kind of superhumanly tolerant Sage?

Makiko, meanwhile, was fuming silently. A mansion within their grasp had slipped away, and she was seething.

As for Wilder and Sandi, they were utterly bewildered. What on earth just

happened? The prize was gone before they even got a taste!

Brandon couldn't help but sigh, "Cole, keep pushing forward. I believe in you. Seeing all of you striving like this, I could die a content man."