Chapter 1245

Speak of the devil, and there she was.

Josefina was still sitting on Oliver's lap when her phone rang. Without missing a beat, Oliver picked it up, put the call on speaker, and set the phone on the table so Josie didn't have to hold it.

"Josie, do you have time today? I'd love to take you out for a meal," Sylvie's voice sounded through the speaker.

Josefina blinked, a little caught off guard.

She and Sylvie were friendly, sure, but not "let's grab lunch" close. If Sylvie was calling about a meal, she must have something important to say.

"Is something up?" Josefina asked gently, her voice warm and soft.

Sylvie seemed to relax at the sound, her own tone turning a little shy. "I just wanted to thank you. Please, let me treat you."

There was definitely more to it, and Josefina knew Sylvie wanted to talk face-to- face.

"I'm free this afternoon. How about the café where we met last time?" Josefina offered.

"That's perfect. Thank you-really, thank you for agreeing to meet," Sylvie said, sounding genuinely relieved.

"Of course," Josefina said, then ended the call.

Oliver immediately looked worried. “Josie, I don't think you should go alone.”

She smiled, already expecting this. "I figured you'd say that, so I'm taking you with me."

He brightened instantly, grinning as he leaned in to kiss her softly. "My Josie always thinks ahead."

Josefina laughed and slid off his lap. "I need to stretch my legs. Sitting that long got a little uncomfortable."

"I'll walk with you," Oliver said, reaching for her hand.

They wandered through the Harrison family's garden together. There weren't many flowers blooming, but the greenery was lush and calming.

Hand in hand, they strolled along the

path. As they passed Grandpa

Robert's cottage, they overheard raised voices Robert and Garrett in the

middle of a heated argument

Emily and Hattie sat nearby, trying to mediate.

Josefina and Oliver exchanged a look, then stepped inside to check it out.

As they got closer, Josefina caught Robert's grumbling.

"Garrett, this schedule you made doesn't make sense. There are seven days in a

week and your mother and I only get one? How is that fair?"

Garrett let out a sigh. "Dad, you're

lucky to get a whole day. Think about how many people are in our family, and how many are in Mr. Brandon's. He only gets two days for his side. It's as fair as it can be.”

Emily frowned. "Why does he get two days?"

Garrett gave a helpless shrug. "Mr. Brandon says that even though

Rowan isn't exactly a model grandparent, he's still technically the baby's grandfather, so he gets counted. He won't actually see the baby, but his slot is still there."

Josefina and Oliver just looked at each other, speechless.

Grandpa Robert and Emily were equally unimpressed.

Josefina couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself. The way everyone fought to spend time with the baby was almost comical.

Emily spoke up firmly. “I don't think Rowan should get any time at all. What if he finds out and tries to show up? He's too unpredictable. The baby's so little-what if he scares her?"

No one in the Harrison family trusted Rowan. After everything, he was just too much of a wild card.

Hattie added, "Dad, maybe you should talk to Mr. Brandon directly. When I tried, it didn't go anywhere."

"Fine," Robert huffed, straightening up. "I'll handle it. I'll call him right now and put an end to this nonsense."

He pulled out his phone, ready to dial, but Josefina stepped forward.

"Grandpa, there's something I want to talk to you all about," she said.

Robert paused, phone in hand. Everyone turned to look at her.

Oliver came to stand at her side, his presence quiet but commanding, and the whole room seemed to stand a little straighter.