Chapter 1239

"Josie, what are you staring at the lilies for?"

Josefina glanced over, her voice steady. "I gave Grandpa a detox pill. He'll wake up soon. The real problem was the lilies-they reacted badly with the food he ate. That's what made him pass out."

Oliver sat down, eyeing the lilies, but he couldn't see anything special. Still, Josefina was never wrong about this stuff. If she said it, he believed it—no questions asked.

Logan just lounged nearby, munching on a scone and sipping some tea, looking like nothing could ever rattle him.

That's when Brandon finally woke up in bed. His gaze landed right on Oliver.

Brandon's voice was weak but clear. "Oliver."

Oliver got up so fast you'd think he'd been waiting for this moment all day. He slid into the chair next to the bed. "Grandpa, you're awake."

Brandon let out a tired sigh. "I've caused Josie trouble again."

Josefina followed him in, her tone soft and reassuring. “Grandpa, Oliver and I were planning to visit you anyway. It's really no trouble at all."

A gentle smile spread across Brandon's wrinkled face. He knew Josefina was just trying to make him feel better, and honestly, how could anyone not want to spoil a kid like her?

Oliver said, “Josie, why don't you stay with Grandpa for a bit? I need to talk to Bennett."

Josefina caught his eye and nodded, understanding immediately. "Go on."

Oliver slipped outside and quickly filled Bennett in on what happened.

Bennett's face went tense. "I'll handle it."

He left right away.

Now that Brandon was awake, Oliver figured if Cole tried to show up again, let him. The door to Grandpa's room was locked anyway.

Brandon sat up, drank some water, and took another pill. Color was coming back to his face. Not long after, he moved to his study and settled into his favorite chair.

As Josefina explained everything,

Brandon's cloudy eyes slowly

clearedzup. "Honestly, I never

thought people would still be

cheming against mea

my age

Money's a blessing and a curse, isn't

it?"

Josefina smiled. “Grandpa, your position comes with responsibility. Plenty of people want your seat, but none of them can take it from you."

Brandon let out a big, genuine laugh. "You little smooth-talker. I could never win an argument with you."

She grinned. "Grandpa, I'm just telling the truth. I've always been honest, even when I was a kid."

Whether she was or not, Brandon almost believed it.

She added, “Let Bennett look into this. It's the perfect chance to make an example out of someone."

Brandon nodded, pleased. “Josie's right. Absolutely right."

...

Cole came home, chessboard still in hand. Makiko saw him come in, looking defeated, and knew things hadn't gone his way.

"Cole, how'd it go?"

He shook his head. “Not good. I didn't even get inside—Bennett stopped me, and that brat Oliver had the nerve to block me too."

Makiko put down her chopsticks, her appetite gone. “So, you found out nothing?”

Cole didn't answer, which told her everything.

It wasn't something he could change.

She sighed. "Forget it. If we can't get in, we can't get in. It's not a big deal. Oliver and the others are too close to the old man We're not getting through."

Makiko had already let it go. If there's no way to squeeze into the Baldwin family why bother? Might as well aim brghët take control instead. Wasn't that better?

She scoffed. "Rowan's useless. He can't even manage his own son. Absolutely hopeless."

Makiko snorted, "Brandon's already given up on Rowan. Oliver wants nothing to do with him. He really is hopeless-he'll never be on your level."