Chapter 443

Josefina's heart pounded as she pushed against Oliver's chest, trying to maintain some distance.

With a reluctant sigh, Oliver pulled away from her tempting lips. Josefina gave him a smoldering look. "Oliver, this is my house, remember?"

Oliver chuckled warmly, ruffling her hair playfully. "Alright, alright, it's your house. Now go get some rest," he teased, his affection evident.

He stepped out of the elevator, watching the doors close with a soft thud.

Back in his car, Oliver's phone buzzed-it was Rowan calling.

The second Oliver answered, Rowan's fury blazed through the line. "Oliver, did you send someone to harm your own brother? Have you lost all sense of humanity?"

"If I'm inhuman, what does that make you?" Oliver shot back, his voice icy.

Rowan spluttered, momentarily lost for words.

His anger boiling over, Rowan barked, "Tell me, Oliver, your brother's in the hospital, unconscious was that your doing?"

"If I said it wasn't me, would you believe it?" Oliver's tone was dispassionately cool.

Rowan was speechless.

Oliver continued, "Why don't you consider that they're scheming against me— mother and son, working together?"

Fuming and tongue-tied, Rowan nearly threw his phone, but Sydney's gentle interjection stopped him.

Sydney, with a soft but firm grip on Rowan's hand, spoke soothingly. "Darling, don't let anger take over. It's not worth your health. Oliver's just being disrespectful. Even if he resents me, he shouldn't take it out on you you're his father. Don't stoop to his level. If needed, I'll apologize to him."

"Apologize to him? Does he deserve it? Stay out of this, Sydney. This is between me and that ungrateful child. He'll never escape my grasp."

Sydney's eyes flickered, her voice still tender. "Once Oliver settles down and marries, he'll realize everything you've done for him. I hear he's smitten with the Harrison family's long-lost daughter, totally besotted. Once Josefina and Oliver are together, things will get better."

Rowan's expression darkened. "Josefina? What's this about? I haven't heard of it."

Feigning confusion, Sydney shook her head. "Nothing, nothing at all."

"Out with it, Sydney! What's going on?" Rowan demanded, his voice rising.

Sydney sighed, seemingly reluctant to share. "Word is that Lena isn't the Harrison's true heir; there was a mix-up eighteen years ago. The real daughter, Josefina, has returned, and Oliver can't seem to stay away from her. He's determined to marry her, and from what I've seen, Josefina doesn't mind his company-she's a calming influence on him."

Rowan's face was a storm cloud. "A girl from a humble background—what good can come of that? I get Oliver's curiosity for something different, a break from the usual luxuries. But marrying her? I won't allow it."

Sydney countered, "Oliver's running the company now, and he's always been rebellious. He'll defy any marriage you disapprove of."

"That defiant child, always clashing with me!" Rowan slammed his hand on the table, his frustration clear.

Sydney laughed lightly, almost consolingly. "Matters of the heart, we can't control everything. Don't worry yourself sick. The kids will find their own happiness."

Rowan was resolute. "I'll handle this! Josefina may have been found, but who knows where the Harrisons truly stand? Does blood really trump eighteen years of raising Lena?"

Sydney nodded in agreement. "You're right. Who knows what Oliver's thinking, that boy."