Chapter 1151

Brandon showed up at Cole's place just as Cole and Makiko were about to head out. But there he was, grinning ear to ear, lugging in a fish so big it looked like it could feed the whole neighborhood.

"Cole!" Brandon boomed, his voice brimming with energy.

Cole and Makiko shared a look. Seeing Brandon so pumped, they couldn't bring themselves to break the news about their plans to leave.

"Dad, you're here!" Cole greeted him with a wide smile.

"Cole, check out this outfit! Josie whipped it up for me. She says it's a one-off- nobody else in the world's got one like it."

Makiko eyed the clothes with genuine admiration, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, Josie nailed it. It looks fantastic on you," she agreed.

Then Cole's gaze shifted to the fish. "Dad, that's a whopper! Did you buy it?"

Brandon beamed with pride. "Nope, caught it myself."

Makiko chimed in, "Wow, Dad, that's incredible!"

Cole flashed back to the old days. Brandon always had a thing for fishing. It wasn't about eating the fish; it was the thrill of the catch that got him. He could almost see his dad strolling in, showing off his catch to anyone who'd listen.

Bennett, their ever-faithful butler, chuckled. "Sir, why don't you come on in and sit a spell? Let the staff take care of the fish. You've been lugging it all this way; your arm must be about to fall off."

Brandon paused, acknowledging the truth in Bennett's words. His arm was indeed feeling like jelly.

Makiko and Cole exchanged another glance, silently on the same wavelength.

"Dad, I..." Cole started, but Brandon was off on another thought.

"Cole, I brought this big fish, so why don't you get Ningning and Wilder over here? Let's have a fish feast together."

Bennett added, "It's true, Cole, Makiko. Mr. Brandon was so excited about the fish, he wanted to share it with you."

With that, any thought of saying no vanished. Turning him down would probably upset Brandon, and neither of them wanted that.

As dinner approached, Cole's phone buzzed.

“Excuse me, Dad, I need to take this," Cole said with an apologetic smile, stepping aside to answer the call.

As he listened, his face darkened, frustration simmering just below the surface.

"What's going on?" Cole demanded, his voice tight with anger.

"We're not sure, but the police are here, looking for a fugitive. We didn't want to stir up trouble so we had to bait. But they've got us cornered What should we do?"

Cole's patience snapped. “You're asking me what to do in a tight spot like this? Are you serious?"

"Boss, I can't handle this on my own! I'm a mess, really, I can't manage the voice on the other end pleaded, close to tears

Cole's frustration was palpable. "You're supposed to be the boss!" he retorted, seething.

"Boss, we've already pulled back, but we couldn't save the gear. I made sure to torch what I could before we left, so they won't find much We're bolting out of here. I'll catch up with you later."

The call ended abruptly.

Cole took a deep breath, trying to keep from letting loose a string of curses.

Just then, Brandon called out, "Cole, who were you talking to? The fish is getting cold!"