Chapter 1162

Makiko was just as scared and uncertain as Cole. Her silence spoke volumes, and Cole could sense it.

"Look, Cole, I'll dig around and see what I can find out. I'll keep you posted if anything comes up," Makiko said, stepping aside with her phone.

Feeling on edge, Cole lit up a cigarette, trying to figure out how their luck had suddenly run dry. It was as if someone had drained all their good fortune, leaving them struggling with everything they attempted.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the cigarette burning down until it singed his fingers. The sting jolted him back, and he flicked the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

He headed to the bathroom and ran cold water over his hand. Catching his reflection in the mirror, he saw just how worn out he looked.

Makiko ended her call and joined him, their gazes locking in the mirror, both fraught with frustration. Her voice was gentle as she tried to calm Cole's growing anger. "The guy knows next to nothing. Don't sweat it, he can't spill any crucial info or derail our plans."

"Are you sure about that?" Cole pressed. "Can you really guarantee it?"

Makiko hesitated, unsure.

"If even you're not sure, how am I supposed to trust this?" Cole's tone was getting sharper.

Makiko, already on edge, felt her patience thinning. She took a deep breath and replied, "Things are out of hand, Cole. Do you have another plan? If you do, tell me and I'll handle it. If not, what do you want me to do? The police have him; they'll do everything to make him talk. We can't just make him disappear now."

Cole's frustration bubbled over. "Are you saying I haven't come up with a decent plan?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying?" Cole snapped.

Makiko let out a long sigh, her eyes red with emotion. "You're angry, and so am I! This has spiraled beyond my control, Cole. I want to fix this too!"

"Then think harder," Cole shot back, storming out.

Makiko wanted to call him back but knew it was pointless. Her words were stuck, and her anger was rising.

What now?

She sat down, lighting a cigarette with shaky hands. A seasoned smoker, she always kept it hidden around the kid. Back home, she coutant smoke freely always Sneaking around.

Blowing out a smoke ring, her eyes narrowed, filled with determination. With the cigarette gone, she grabbed her

3hone and dialed, explaining the

mess they were in.

"Since we got back, nothing's gone right. If this keeps up, all our plans will fall apart."

The voice on the other end was gravelly, like an old sage. "So you're telling me Oliver and Josefina aren't easy to deal with? I know a bit about Oliver, but this Josetina, is she really as tough as you say?"