Chapter 1240

Cole's face was stormy as Makiko quietly poured him a glass of whiskey.

"Here. Have some. It'll help you calm down."

He took it and knocked it back in one go.

Cole's voice was tight. "Did you get everything ready like I asked?"

"All set," Makiko nodded. "Nothing's going to go wrong."

Cole's shoulders relaxed and a satisfied grin tugged at his lips.

Meanwhile, Bennett started his own investigation, and Oliver sent people to dig around behind the scenes.

One working in the open, one in the shadows-it didn't take long before they found who was responsible.

It turned out to be Brandon's driver, a man who'd worked for him for ten years.

The driver was dragged into the study, looking terrified. The second he stepped inside, his knees buckled and he fell to the floor.

“Sir, please, I swear I'm innocent! Someone's framing me!" he cried.

Brandon's eyes were cold. "So you're saying I got it wrong? That I'm blaming you for nothing?"

The driver shook his head frantically, voice quivering. “I'd never dare, sir.”

Brandon's tone was icy calm. "You can tell us the truth yourself, or I can make you talk. It's your choice."

Still kneeling, the driver's gaze darted around the room, his face pale as a sheet. He looked like he'd do anything to find a way out.

Josefina and Oliver sat off to the side, watching without a word.

Bennett's patience snapped. "You really think you can lie your way out of this now?

If you won't talk, get ready for years of lawsuits—if you can handle it."

Brandon cut in, his voice sharp. "Don't waste time in court. Just make sure he's not alone in jail-find a few others to keep him company."

The driver's eyes went wide with panic.

He'd worked for Brandon long enough to know the old man's gentle smile didn't mean mercy behind closed doors.

He couldn't handle this. He couldn't outplay them.

Cornered, he finally broke.

He squeezed his eyes shut, took a shaky breath, and blurted out, "It was Mr. Oliver! He told me to do it!"

The room went dead silent.

Josefina shot him a furious glare. “What the hell are you talking about?"

There was no way Oliver would ever

el.nex

go after Brandon. He'd always respected Grandpa Brandon-never

in a million years would he try to hurt um

Oliver scoffed. "You think you can just lie and get away with it in court?"

The driver pleaded, desperate. "Mr.

Oliver, you gave me the orders. You

can deny it, but what am I

to do I just want to live.

supp

Please—help me, I'm begging you."

Josefina snapped, "You're just a desperate man lashing out at anyone you can."

He shot back, voice shaky, "Of course you'd defend Mr. Oliver-you like him. But

what about me? My life matters too!"

Brandon slammed his palm on the desk. "Enough!"

The driver froze, falling silent, still kneeling and shaking.

Brandon's anger was barely held in check. He thought the driver was digging his own grave.

"Whoever put you up to this clearly didn't think it through. I chose Oliver

as the Baldwin family heir myself.

he wanted to take me down, he

would've done it

gago

note

waited until now. You made this

#

choice for yourself. Now you live

with it."

At Brandon's signal, Bennett called in two security guards. "Take him out. Get the

truth out of him—whatever it takes."

No one was leaving until they had answers.

As the driver was led away, the tension in the room started to lift.

Oliver's voice was quiet, steady. "I didn't do it."

Brandon looked at him and nodded. "I believe you, Oliver. You're not that kind of person."

Josefina added, "Whoever set this up wanted us to turn on each other, so they could take advantage."

Thank goodness Grandpa Brandon could see through the lies.

All that was left was to wait for the truth to come out.