Cole answered,”He just left.”


    “Let’s meet at the usual spot at noon,” the voice on the other end had said.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Cole grumbled in response, “Okay.”


    Since the call was made, there was no backing out. Cole already had a nagging feeling he already


    knew what this was all about.


    At noon, Cole strutted into the cozy diner where Landon was already waiting. Spotting Cole, Landon


    hurried over with a warm grin, pushing a cup of coffee across the table. “Cole, good to see you, man.”


    Cole took his seat with a nonchnt shrug. “Cut the formalities, Landon. We’re not at a business


    conference.”


    years of friendship,


    They were ssmates in high school and roommates in college. With years there was no need to be so


    formal.


    With a deep sigh, Landon got straight to the point. “You’re against Jason and Estre getting back


    together?”


    Cole leaned back in his chair, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. “They’re already divorced. What’s


    this about second chances?”


    “Cole, isn’t it what we both wanted? For Jason and Estre to be happy together?” Landon’s voice was


    almost pleading.


    Cole’s eyes narrowed. “That was your dream, not mine. Besides, I’ve got a grandchild n Our family


    business has got a sessor. I don’t care if Estre never marries. And let’s be honest, you know


    exactly what kind of man your son is. Think I’d let my daughter wal back into that fire pit?”


    In front of Jason, Cole had always been considerate, mindful of the younger man’s pride. But with


    Landon, there was no need for pretenses.


    Landon apologized earnestly. “You’re right, Cole. I didn’t raise Jason well enough. I promise to keep a


    tighter rein on him. Just give the kids another shot.”


    Landon’s plea did little to soften Cole’s stance. “No deal. I won’t agree to it.”


    As Cole’s resolve became apparent, Landon’s smile faded, and his expression grew somber. “Cole,


    you can’t just fulfill your own dreams and leave me hanging. Dorvold Group’s got a sessor, but what


    about me? Besides, Estre and Jason seem to be getting along, and Jason adores Isaac.”


    Cole took a sip of his coffee, setting the mug down with a thud. “Landon, you care about


    Jason, but can’t you feel for Estre? Have you forgotten what she went through? You can call me


    selfish if you like, but I refuse to see her suffer again. She’s doing just fine. now. Dorvold Group has


    enough to support her and Isaac for generations. She can do whatever makes her happy. And let’s not


    forget, I’ve given them chances before. Remember those fortune-tellers you brought to Estre? How


    did that turn out?”


    “Don’t forget. You…” Cole cut himself off. “If you don’t care for Estre, I will.”


    Landon insisted, “How could I not care for her? When she married Jason, I did everything. to protect


    her. And you saw it, Cole. Estre liked Jason back then. She justcked an opportunity to take that


    step. I did so much just to help them live a better life, You, out of everyone, should know about my


    n.”


    Cole remained silent, and Landon continued, “Let’s not meddle in their affairs this time. Let them


    decide. If they choose to be together, we shouldn’t stand in their way.”


    Landon hadn’t expected to change Cole’s mind today. He just needed Cole not to oppose the reunion.


    Cole gave no response. By now, he could see Landon’s affection for his son was unshakable. He had


    never bowed to anyone, in business or in life, yet today he had. endured Cole’s anger for his son’s


    sake.


    Landon spoke up. “All right, let’s settle it this way. Let’s have lunch now and not argue about this


    anymore.”


    As they walked to the parking lot after lunch, Landon turned to Cole, “Cole, Isaac is Jason’s child,


    right?”


    Cole bristled at the question. “What now? Trying to im my grandson, too?” Then he added, “No, he’s


    not rted to Jason.”


    Landon quickly reassured him, “I’m notpeting with you. I was just asking. Isaac’s yours, Estre’s


    yours. I’ll even throw Jason in. They’re all yours.”


    Cole rolled his eyes and drove off, leaving Landon to chuckle and shake his head in resignation. Life, it


    seemed, was nothing but a series ofplications.


    Meanwhile, at the Waterfall Acres Hotel’s rooftop buffet, Estre and Isaac were meeting with Jesse


    and Bryce. Estre and Jesse had arrived early, collecting a te of food each before Bryce stormed


    in.


    Without ceremony, Bryce grabbed a te and said between mouthfuls, “Keith’s driving me nuts,


    pushing me to go on blind dates. Estre, Jesse, you guys have to help me dodge this bullet.”


    Ever since Keith had given up on the tug-of-war between Jason and Estre, he had turned his


    attention to Bryce, bombarding him with calls like a man possessed, urging him to


    Bryce had that sinking feeling something was up, and sure enough, when he got home, it was


    pandemonium. Keith was hell-bent on ying Cupid, eager to see Bryce settle down. and spread the


    family roots far and wide.


    Upon hearing that, Bryce quickly made his escape, but peace was a stranger in the days. that followed.


    Lately, he felt like he was two steps from the loony bin, all thanks to Keith’s relentless. pressure. With


    no other options, Bryce found himself begging for Estre and Jesse’s help to get him out of this bind.


    The pair exchanged a look upon hearing Bryce’s plea, clearly thinking he was desperate. enough to


    grab at straws. Anything but this, they thought. This whole thing wasn’t exactly in their wheelhouse.


    Seeing them go silent after his spiel, Bryce stopped shoveling food into his mouth and fixed them with a


    stare. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging. Throw me a lifeline here. Or, I don’t know, one of you could


    bite the bullet ande home with me to y the part.”