Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Colleen gently patted the child and said, "Hansen, Molly is your own flesh and blood. No trick can take her away from you."

Hansen wasn't in the mood for such platitudes.

Leo, standing nearby, listened intently to what the Byrnes were saying, as well as to Chad. He looked so serious, like he was soaking it all in.

Kendrick chimed in, "The kids have naturally gotten to this point. As parents, what can we do besides support them? I'm Molly's father too. At first, I was against it, just like you. I wanted to give Chad a piece of my mind. But... if I had hit Chad, Molly would've been upset." Hansen was blunt, "My girl wouldn't care."

"Dad, I would be a bit upset," Jade, freshly showered and changed, chimed in, her voice trailing off.

She moved decisively towards the Byrnes, as if planning to sit with them.

Naomi, noticing her father-in-law's brewing anger, cleared her throat to remind Molly. "Ahem! Hmm!"

But Jade continued her path unabated, heading straight for the Byrnes.

Hansen's face darkened like burnt toast!

Mia, however, wasn't nervous. She waited for her best friend's next move.

As expected, Molly walked over, not to sit, but to lift her nephew from Colleen's arms-the Cedillo family's little bundle of joy.

The chubby cherub, with bright, shiny eyes like glass marbles and tender, milk-scented cheeks, looked up at his beautiful aunt. He was quiet and content in her arms.

The little guy was something the Cedillo clan couldn't pry away for all the world.

Holding her nephew, Molly glanced at Chad, who smiled back, his lips slightly curling, as he reminded her, "Hold the kiddo tight."

Molly turned and sat down next to Hansen.

Hansen's charcoal face returned to its normal shade.

Mia knew her sister wouldn't be foolish enough to go against the Cedillos at such a crucial moment.

but had to maintain his stern facade. He resigned to just looking at his

rang again-the Gordons were urging her to return home,

noticed. He stood up, taking Anya

made faces at her nephew: Your aunt's future is at

exchanged a glance with Mia, who was also looking at him: With Mia here, what's there to worry

I'm not a

blinked in confusion: What's

Leo turned to Hansen and

except Mia and Molly was

all have a chat," Leo

in Leo's car, Anya buckled up and asked, "Chad, what did you mean by 'iffy'

estate. "Your aunt wanted me to stay and help her, I said Mia was there, Mia said she wasn't reliable, they wanted me to stay too. I saw your grandpa's face

just now? Did she

we going?" Anya

for your trip back home. You've stayed in Havenbrook so long, might as well bring some local goodies," Leo said,

a serene suburb, a prime piece of Havenbrook real estate. Two decades ago, a rumor spread that Havenbrook sat on a dragon vein, which

before it could stir up Havenbrook and was eventually forgotten, treated as an

upon this gossip in high school while being a computer

knew her son was particularly rebellious in high school, always

intervene once, and after the resulting punishment, Leo sobered

deleted Cedillo news and learned of

car merged into

buy anything else. I can hardly manage two suitcases and two backpacks, let alone

are you bringing so much stuff home for the holidays?

with me later this year, Dad's already bought a villa in the new Cedillo Group development. Next year, I won't be living here." She felt a pang of reluctance to leave. "When my parents come next year, they can buy local products if they're interested.

drove on, "Who said you're flying? I've got nothing to do at home lately, and my mom won't stop nagging. This time you go back, I'll drive

eyes widened in shock, "Chad, are you saying you'll

you, it's about escaping my mom. Taking you is just convenient. Don't flatter yourself thinking I'm making the

feel like Chad had gone out of his way just for her?