Chapter 1155

Oliver pulled up to the location, a bit taken aback by who he saw coming his way. Josefina was equally surprised; she hadn't expected Cole to show his face here.

They both stepped out of the car to greet Cole.

Oliver, his tone cool and detached, asked, "Cole, what brings you out here this late?"

Cole let out a chuckle, "Oliver, I wouldn't be bothering you at this hour if it wasn't important. I could use a favor."

Oliver nodded, "Alright, spill it."

"I kind of upset your grandpa today. Tried calling him tonight, but he didn't pick up," Cole admitted, looking a bit sheepish.

"Grandpa's probably hit the sack already. Since you've been back, he's been over the moon. No way he's mad at you," Oliver replied in a straightforward manner.

Josefina added, "You know how it is, sometimes he crashes early, other times he's up all night. Don't read too much into it, Cole. If Grandpa didn't answer, it's probably because he finally got a good night's sleep."

Cole felt a bit awkward, wondering if this meant he wasn't being considerate enough to the older folks.

"I'll swing by first thing in the morning," Cole said, forcing a smile.

Oliver nodded, "Alright then, you should head home and get some rest, Cole. I won't keep you."

With a mumbled agreement, Cole turned to leave. But before he did, he couldn't help but admire Oliver's car.

"That's a slick ride you've got, Oliver," he said, throwing in a compliment before walking away.

Josefina watched Cole's retreating figure, something in her gut telling her there was more to his departure than met the eye.

...

When Cole got home, Makiko was waiting up for him.

He reached out, and Makiko placed a pitch-black sponge on the table.

He pressed his hand against it, but the sponge stayed put, unchanged.

Makiko's smile faded, and you could see the hope drain from her eyes.

"What's going on?" Makiko wondered aloud, puzzled.

Cole sighed, "Looks like their car didn't make it to the warehouse."

Makiko tried to offer another angle, “But we can't be sure. Oliver's got a fleet; maybe

he took a different set of wheels."

"Yeah, that's possible," Cole

admitted, "but from what we know, it

doesn't seem like Oliver and

Josefina were involved. The

warehouse search might no@have

anything to do with them."

Feeling the weight of exhaustion, Cole slumped down beside Makiko.

"Makiko, you get it, right? I don't want Oliver tangled up in this. He's family, my nephew, and I care about him," Cole confessed.

Makiko, both gentle and firm, reminded him, “Our mission is too important, Cole. We can't let personal feelings get in the way."

“I hear you, and trust me, nothing's gonna throw us off course," Cole assured her.

Makiko continued, “I've heard Kuro slipped away. He didn't leave with the others."

Cole instantly sat up straight, tension replacing his earlier fatigue.

"What did you say? Kuro's on the

loose? He knows way too much

about the warehouse. If he turnet

state's witness we're in seri trouble!" .

“I've already got people out looking for him. We'll just have to sit tight for now,” Makiko said, trying to calm him down.

Cole's frustration was mounting. "Send more folks! If we don't find him, we're up a creek."

"I know why you're worried. I'm just

as concerned. Kuro's seen me in disguise, and if he puts two and two together, it's not just you who's sweating it—I'm right there with you.”