Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo, who had no status in the Cedillo family, disdained it. "What's this?"

"A shield against punches," she replied.

Leo was speechless.

Mia laughed loudly before pulling out her own gift. "Molly's gift only treats the symptoms. Mine treats the root cause."

"And what's that?" Leo asked.

"A secret martial arts manual."

Again, Leo fell silent.

Andre, his uncle, stifled a laugh behind his hand. Leo stood, gesturing to his empty chair. "Come, come, who wants to be the birthday boy? Let's switch seats."

Laughter erupted around the table. Hansen, Leo's grandfather, looked at his grandson with love in his eyes. "Sit down now."

Chad handed over his pre-prepared gift - a fountain pen. "I hope this helps you make progress in your studies, Leo."

"Thanks, Chad," Leo replied, accepting the relatively normal gift.

Andre, always one to do things differently, simply tossed his car keys to his nephew.

Leo's eyes widened. "A McLaren sports car! Uncle, I love you!"

Mia turned to her husband with wide eyes. "Honey, I want one too."

"First, learn how to drive the car I already bought you, then I'll get you a new one," Andre replied.

would learn how to drive the luxury car he'd bought her, but instead, she'd let it

a huff, Mia

gift. Looking at the table laden with food, she offered, "Leo, I didn't have time to get you a birthday gift. Let me make you

disastrous cooking, immediately refused. "No need, Anya," Hansen

another victim of Mia's culinary experiments, agreed. "It's

also had memories he'd rather

Mia kept her head down, silently sipping her

worry, I can

when Mia had promised him the same thing. "Really,

reaction. "Anya, can you really cook?"

to make a

pointed to the kitchen. "It's over

and even Andre watched her

from the kitchen with a large

cleared and Anya placed her dish in the center. At first glance, the pasta looked creamy and appetizing, and the sause was neatly arranged with a sprinkle of pepper powder. The smell

at his grandson, who was the perfect guinea pig. "Leo, Anya made this

he quickly picked up his own bowl, not letting her

you're the birthday boy,"

the first taster,"

after, Bruce, Leo's father, chided his son. "Anya is our guest. She made this dish out of kindness. However, you're not only ungrateful, but you're also making

took another bite, relishing the perfectly cooked pasta and the delicious, creamy sauce. Before he knew it, he had finished his

waited for his grandson's reaction. "Leo, is it good?"

definitely avoid it," Leo replied, continuing

served some for Chad as well. "Dad, you really shouldn't eat this. We'll take care of it for you,"

wasn't fooled and asked the housekeeper to serve