Chapter 1242

Who knew if Oliver still felt anything like a father toward Rowan?

Cole poured himself a glass of whiskey, hoping it would dull his worries, but it only seemed to make them worse.

"Cole, since we can't get to Rowan directly, let's try a different angle. Things are already out in the open, right? If we just keep an eye on the old house, we'll know how this all pans out soon enough," Makiko said.

Cole just grunted and took another sip.

Makiko glanced at her phone-a new video had come in. She settled next to Cole and played it for him.

"Mason really is at the Harrison family estate."

Mason was still alive.

She was actually alive.

"Mason's living with the Harrisons now. I bet Josefina's already gotten some secrets out of her," Makiko said, her voice tight with worry.

Cole's eyes narrowed, his tone icy. "If you hadn't brought up Mason, I'd have forgotten all about her. The nerve of that woman, thinking she can talk again after all that's happened."

"I'll have someone take care of her," Makiko said, standing up, phone in hand. "If she tries to mess with us, she's not getting away with it." She vanished from Cole's sight.

...

Achoo.

Mason sneezed, rubbing her nose as she sat among rows of herbs in the garden. Kelsey was crouched nearby, watering the plants. "Miss Mason, are you catching a cold? I can get you some medicine if you need it."

Mason blinked, surprised that someone she barely knew cared enough to ask. She looked at Kelsey, a little caught off guard.

"You're... worried about me?" Mason asked, feeling a weird flicker of gratitude.

Kelsey nodded. "Of course. Ms. Josefina told me to look after you. When she gives an order, I follow it. You have to take care of yourself-if something happens to you and Ms. Josefina's business isn't finished, what are we supposed to do?"

Mason: "..."

So much for feeling touched.

"You're really something else, Kelsey," Mason muttered, a little irritated.

Kelsey wasn't worried about her at all; she just didn't want Josefina's plans to fall apart.

Josefina must be something special, Mason thought, to have people this loyal to her.

Mason rested her chin in her hand, noticing how much better her arms looked— fewer scars than before.

She couldn't help but envy Josefina. Everyone around her was so loyal, so devoted. Why couldn't she, Mason, ever have luck like that?

Kelsey noticed Mason's silence and tried to reassure her. "Miss Mason, there's really no need to worry. Ms Josefina saved you she's not about to just leave you hanging. Just stay here, do what she asks, and she'll take care of you. She's not the type to treat people badly."

Mason: "..."

Just a next in

Now while ago, she'd been the

for the Snider family. was stuck playing sidekick else. It stung.

for someone

But honestly, being a sidekick was better than being dead.

Mason let out a quiet sigh and went back to tending the herbs.

Annika showed up with a tray. "Miss Mason, your medicine is ready. Ms. Josefina said it'll be pretty bitter, but please try to bear with it. Once you finish this treatment, the parasite your body should be under control."

“Thanks,” Mason said, taking the bowl with both hands. What else could she say?

She downed the dark, bitter medicine in one gulp, her face scrunching up in pain.

Josefina walked over, smiling. "You're not even the slightest bit worried I might've poisoned that?"

Watching Mason drink it so fast, Josefina almost wanted to give her a round of applause.

Mason stared back at her, bowl in hand, clearly confused.

Mason: ?