Chapter 1138

Oliver insisted, "We can have hot water at home. Josie's had a scare, and I need to take her to the hospital for a check-up."

With that, he swept Josefina up into his arms and headed out, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Hattie, clearly worried, quickly followed.

Garrett watched the scene unfold and his face turned serious. "Cole, I'm going to head out too. Sorry to leave you in the lurch."

Grandpa Robert and Emily didn't even say goodbye; they just trailed after them.

What had been a buzzing party now felt awkward and deflated.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "She's not even hurt. Why are they acting like she's broken a leg? Such pampering."

Sandi agreed, thinking everyone was blowing things out of proportion. The horse didn't even touch Josefina, and it was their family's housewarming party. Did they have to make it so awkward?

In Sandi's mind, it was all Josefina's fault.

Cassandra wasn't finished. "All this fuss over nothing! I bet she just wanted to grab all the attention."

Brandon, who'd had enough, erupted.

"Enough of that!" Brandon roared, his anger palpable. "Who do you think you are, criticizing my granddaughter-in-law? Who invited you, anyway? Whose kid are you? I've never seen you before. Are you here to leech off us or trying to get in with the Baldwin family? How dare you crash our party!"

He turned to Wilder. "Is she your girlfriend?"

Wilder quickly shook his head. "No, Grandpa, I don't know her. This is the first time I've seen her."

Brandon then looked at Cole. "Did you invite her?"

Cole shook his head. "No, Dad, we don't know her."

Brandon's icy stare could have cut through Cassandra, leaving her feeling completely exposed.

He then looked at Sandi, his eyes sharp as daggers.

Sandi stammered, "Grandpa, she's... she's just someone I know from school. I..."

Under Brandon's intense gaze, Sandi was at a loss, struggling to find her words.

Brandon's voice was stern. "Sandi, you're young and can't always tell if someone's genuine or not. Some people pretend to be friendly but are really wolves in sheeps clothing. Be careful not to be fooled! Ando remember, our family gatherings aren't for strangers."

Having delivered his warning, Brandon walked off with Bennett.

Cassandra stood there, unable to defend herself, tears welling in her eyes. She felt completely wronged.

"I was just telling the truth. Why did he have to talk to me like that?" she sobbed as she left.

Sandi was stuck, unsure whether to follow or stay put, feeling deeply uneasy.

Cole, his expression stern, scolded

Sandi, "Why did you bring her here?

This was supposed to be a family

gathering, and you brought an outsider? Now your grandpa

furious, and everything's a mess.

She's not just a classmate, she's bad

luck!"

Sandi, feeling misunderstood, protested, "Dad, Cassandra was just trying to defend

us. She didn't do anything wrong."

Wilder cut in, "Sandi, just stop."

The

in disaster, leaving two families

drming party had ended

upset and no matter how you looked at it they

y were at fault.