Chapter 1259

Luke's face lit up, surprise and relief mingling in his eyes. "Logan! That's amazing— you're getting better!"

But Logan's expression changed in a heartbeat, his eyes distant again. “Getting better? From what?"

Percy and Luke traded bewildered looks. Just a second ago, he'd sounded

completely normal. Now it was like talking to a stranger again.

Luke started to say something, but Percy grabbed his arm and shook his head. Luke clamped his mouth shut, letting it drop for now.

Was this what recovery looked like?

Percy wondered if he should tell Josefina about what he'd just seen. Maybe it would help Logan somehow if she knew?

Out of the blue, Logan's gaze sharpened, cutting through the fog. Percy felt the weight of Logan's stare and flinched, unsettled by the cold, emotionless eyes looking right through him.

"Don't tell my mentor," Logan said, voice flat and steady.

"I won't. I promise, I won't say anything," Percy replied quickly.

Hearing that, Logan closed his eyes and drifted off, falling back into sleep.

Percy and Luke sat together in awkward silence, both trying to piece together what was happening.

"I really think he's getting better," Percy said quietly.

Luke shook his head. "I don't care what you think. If you ask me, this isn't improvement—it's more like a last burst of clarity before... you know. Like when someone gets better right before the end."

How could Logan, after everything, suddenly act so normal?

Luke couldn't shake the feeling something was off, like Logan was burning bright for just a moment before fading out.

Percy nodded, uncertain. “That's possible. I'll ask Walter for his opinion. But let's not say anything to Josie yet. No need to worry her if we're not sure."

"Agreed. Josie already feels guilty about the whole thing. If we tell her now, she'll just stress herself out even more."

They both agreed: for now, this would stay between them.

Meanwhile, Cole's tech company was a mess ever since Rhett left

The new manager clashed wi everything ett had put in place,

shutting down projects and forcing

everyone to start over from scratch.

Wilder was a bundle of nerves, pacing the office like he might wear a hole in the carpet.

Cole finally lost patience. "Wilder,

you have to calm down. If you freak

out over every little setback, how are you ever going to handle all the

Baldwin family businesses someday. You'll drive yourself crazy."

Wilder froze. All the Baldwin companies? Wasn't Oliver in charge of those? He'd never even let himself imagine having that kind of responsibility.

He dropped his head. "Sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to let you down."

"Sorry isn't good enough. Figure out a solution. If you don't, this company is going under, and fast."

Cole's frustration was obvious. Everything had seemed to be going well-how did it all fall apart so suddenly?

Wilder just stood there, silent, taking the scolding.

Cole narrowed his eyes. It was time to show what he could really do.

Alex finally made it back to work, looking nothing like his old, sick self-he was bright-eyed and full of energy.

Deanna was the first to stop by his office.

Alex noticed right away that she looked pale and tired. "Deanna, are you feeling okay?"

She forced a smile and coughed a couple of times. "I'm fine, really. Just haven't been sleeping well."

"If you're not feeling well, you should take some time off. I can approve it right now -go home and rest," Alex said, concern clear in his voice.

Deanna shook her head. “No, it's fine. I can keep working. Now that you're back, maybe I'll take a day off. I just didn't want to dump everything on you'd feel terrible if you had to handle it all alone."