Chapter 532

"Enough with the tall tales, Ollie," Grandpa Brandon said with a wry smile. "You think the Harrisons are just gonna hand over their precious Josie without a fight? You'd be lucky to marry her at all, let alone anytime soon. Look at this old frame of mine-think I can hold out to see that day?"

Oliver was speechless.

"Grandpa, don't worry. Josie's still young. We've got a couple of years."

Grandpa Brandon sighed, resigned to the waiting game.

...

The night was still as Josefina slipped into her disguise and headed out to meet Oliver. They met at their secret spot, both laughing at each other's get-ups. Josefina had transformed herself into a plump middle-aged woman, while Oliver looked every bit the part of a middle-aged man with a few extra pounds.

"We're in sync, Josie. It's like we can read each other's minds," Oliver said, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Let's get going," Josefina replied, eager to move on.

She hopped into Oliver's nondescript sedan, and they set off with her in the passenger seat.

"It's already eleven; is this operation strictly a night-time affair?"

"The card I got says we go in after dark. Stick with me and keep quiet unless I cue you in," he instructed.

"Got it. Mum's the word," she assured him, confident in her ability to read the room.

They exchanged a secret code, a contingency for any danger that might arise, and agreed on an immediate evacuation plan.

After another hour's drive, they arrived at an unassuming dive bar. Oliver, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, led the way with Josefina trailing behind.

At a backroom door of the bar, Oliver knocked. A head peeked out from inside. Oliver presented a black card, and the man inside inspected it with a device resembling a flashlight before nodding them in.

"Who's the plus-one?" the man grunted as they entered.

"This is my recruit, Rat," Oliver said, his voice low and steady. "Been vetting her for

a while before bringing her here."

Rat nodded. "Alright, in you go."

"Thanks, Rat," Oliver expressed his gratitude, slipping him a gold ring. "A token of her respects."

Rat grinned, "Sharp eyes. Do well, and you'll be taken care of."

Josefina bowed slightly, "Thank you, Rat."

They proceeded deeper into the building, took an elevator down to the third basement level, which housed an underground casino bustling with gamblers.

"Those black cards only get us into this gambling den," Oliver whispered. "The real organization we're after is hidden beneath all this. They're elusive and on high alert."

Josefina nodded, and they exchanged some cash for chips, blending in with the crowd.

Several games later, Oliver, who had quite the poker face, had won a cool million. "They'll have noticed me," Oliver murmured to Josefina. "If I get called up, send the photo to Luke right away for a thorough check."

He leaned in close, his lips nearly brushing Josefina's ear, cautious of any lip- readers nearby.

No sooner had he spoken than two unfamiliar men blocked their path.