Chapter 1115

After what felt like forever, Oliver finally pulled away from Josefina's lips.

"Was it sweet?" he teased, flashing a mischievous grin.

Josefina was left momentarily speechless. "Oliver, this is Grandpa's house! You're way too bold!" she exclaimed, quickly stepping back.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the thought of someone catching them. She picked up her pace, but Oliver was right behind her, keeping up effortlessly.

They strolled off, chatting and laughing, wrapped in youthful exuberance.

Rowan stepped onto the porch just in time to catch sight of their cheerful retreat. A warm, contented smile crept onto his face, lighting up his features.

Cole, on the other hand, was far from pleased. He followed Rowan outside, his mood souring further at Rowan's apparent solitude.

"Dorian," Cole called, catching up with him, "you and Oliver are family. Blood runs thicker than water. How can he just ignore you like that?"

Rowan's voice was steady, almost resigned. "Because I don't deserve it," he replied softly.

Cole was momentarily at a loss for words. So much for trying to stir the pot.

Undeterred, Cole pressed on, "You're his father! No matter what, he shouldn't be so disrespectful. Since you walked in, he hasn't even looked your way or said a word. Dorian, aren't you going to do something?"

Rowan remained unruffled, as if the situation didn't bother him in the least. "Cole, you don't know the whole story, so don't jump to conclusions. Oliver's been good to me. The fact that he hasn't kicked me out is already more than I could ask for. So, please, don't speak of him like that again.”

Cole was at a loss. Was Rowan some sort of masochist? He was tempted to throw his hands up in frustration but instead turned on his heel and walked away. Any more conversation with Rowan, and he feared his fists might have a mind of their

own.

Makiko sat on the sofa, her expression serious and thoughtful.

Sandi knocked on the door before entering. “Mom, what are you and Dad thinking? Grandpa offered us a house, and you two just turned it down?" Sandi asked, feeling utterly exasperated.

"It's not that your father and I don't want it. Your grandfather isn't giving it," Makiko replied.

Sandi switched to her fluent

Japanese, incredulous. "But Mom, Dad was the one who refused! Grandpa gave him the house, but he insisted on buying one himself f

Dad hadn't said anything, we'd havets it already!

Makiko sighed, rubbing her forehead. How did she and her sharp-witted husband

end up with such a naive daughter?

The look Makiko gave Sandi made

her squirm uncomfortably. To the

outside world Makiko was the

epitome of a

gentle, loving

homemaker. But Sandi knew her mother was far from the

soft-spoken woman she appeared to bé.

Deep down, Sandi harbored a fear of both her mother and father. "Mom, I just thought that having our own space would be better for us. Even it we're not in the same house as Grandpa, it feels like we're living under someone else's watchful eye," she said in a small voice

Makiko's expression softened slightly, her voice cutting through the air with quiet authority. "You may go now."

Without missing a beat, Sandi stood up and hurried out, relieved to escape further conversation.

Makiko reclined against the sofa, her thoughts churning. Eventually, she couldn't help but mutter in her broken English, “Old fox!” as she vented her frustration at Brandon.

Meanwhile, over at the lab, Percy had news. Josefina and Oliver arrived together, buzzing with anticipation.

Percy handed the report to Josefina, but Oliver intercepted it, passing it to her himself. Percy shot Oliver a glance—always the assertive one, it seemed.

Josefina opened the report, and as her eyes scanned the contents, she was utterly dumbfounded.