Chapter 1154

Brandon's voice was serious as he said, "Oliver, Josie, what you've been suspecting might actually be onto something."

He went on, "I was just carrying a fish over when Cole got a call. When he came back, his face was off. He thought he was doing a good job hiding it, but I've been around the block a few more times than he has. I'm not that easy to fool."

Thinking about it weighed heavily on Brandon's heart.

“Oliver, Josie, if this really has something to do with Cole, then what's going to happen to him?" he pondered.

Oliver replied, "Grandpa, it seems like you suspect him too."

Josie chimed in, "Grandpa, why can't this just be a coincidence?"

Brandon shook his head, leaning back into the couch with a heavy heart. "When things are too coincidental, they're usually true. If you've found anything in your investigation, can you share it with me first?"

“Grandpa, you'll be the first to know if we find anything,” Josie assured him.

Brandon nodded slightly. "Oliver, do you have any evidence right now?"

"No solid evidence," Oliver said matter-of-factly. "Basing suspicions on coincidences doesn't hold much water."

Josie was surprised to see Brandon going along with Oliver's plan. Cole's reaction seemed to reveal more about the situation. If Cole was really involved, Brandon would likely do the right thing, no matter how hard it was.

"Josie, let Oliver handle this. You need to take care of your health and not overdo it," Brandon advised, clearly worried.

"Grandpa, don't worry. I've always been in good shape, and all my health checks have been fine," Josie reassured him.

Brandon insisted, "Oliver, make sure you take good care of Josie. Her well-being comes first."

"I will. Josie means the world to me," Oliver declared.

Brandon couldn't help but chuckle to

thinking how even at his

wasn't immune to feeling a

bit envious of their love.

.net

"Why don't you take Josie home to rest? She needs to eat more; she's too thin," Brandon suggested.

Oliver took Josie's hand and helped her up. "We'll head out then."

"Take care, Grandpa. Make sure you look after yourself too," Josie said kindly as they left.

Brandon watched them go, feeling the weight of his years.

...

In the car, Josie sat next to Oliver as he drove.

"Grandpa's a wise man. He's good at keeping it all together," Josie remarked.

"If he couldn't, it would show. But don't worry, he's tougher than we think," Oliver assured her.

Josie chuckled, "If Grandpa heard you say that, he'd probably want to give you a good smack."

Brandon had seen a lot, nearly

pe No matter h

pushed to the edge by

he was, age was sing

the edge by Rowan's

With

him.

"After everything Rowan's done, he

stayed calm. If it's really Cole, I'm sure helt handle it calmly too," Oliver said, gently ruffling Josie's har

"Josie, don't stress. Just res for a

bit I'll wake you when we get home."

Josie sighed softly, grateful for Oliver's steady nature something rare in the Baldwin family.

“Rest up, Josie," Oliver said tenderly.

Josie nodded, shifting to get comfortable.

As Oliver kept driving, he spotted someone standing at their front door as they approached the house.