Andre cradled his son in one arm as he stooped to pick up an envelope, making his way to his wife. With a playful grin, he handed over the envelope to his petite wife, Mia. Mia accepted it and casually placed it on the coffee table, her attention focused on comforting Hansen, who was still fuming.

"I'll never have eyes for another woman as long as I live. In life, it's her and her alone, and the same goes when I'm six feet under," Hansen ranted.

Mia nodded in agreement, patting Hansen on the back to soothe his temper, "Dad, Mom knows how devoted you are to her, and we do too, even without you saying a word."

Naomi handed a glass of water to her father-in-law, "Dad, take a sip; it'll help you cool down."

Hansen refused the water, turning to his sons with a stern finger, "Bruce and Andre, you two better be as devoted to Naomi and Mia as I am to your mother. I won't tolerate any of that disgusting, immoral behavior!" Bruce and Andre didn't need their father's reminders; loyalty was a given in their hearts.

"And don't forget that, Leo," Hansen added.

Leo, tossing his own envelope onto the coffee table, assured, "Grandpa, Jade must've been just pulling your leg." Hansen's grip on the list of wedding gifts had crumpled it during his earlier fit of rage, sparked by his daughter's antics.

As Hansen's anger subsided, a parade of cars from the Byrne family arrived at the Cedillo residence with wedding gifts...

Meanwhile, Molly was dragged back to her family home by the Byrnes and Chad. During the ride, Mr. and Mrs. Byrne inquired, "What on earth did you do to make your father so angry?"

Molly played innocent, "I simply suggested Dad enroll in a senior's college, you know, for card games, dancing..."

Mr. and Mrs. Byrne exchanged a glance, speechless.

Chad drove with a smirk, glancing every now and then at the girl in the rearview mirror. The angrier Hansen got today, the more delighted he was.

He chose not to scold Molly this time, his lips curving up all the way home.

Upon returning to the Byrne residence, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer curiously asked their granddaughter, "What happened today that brought you back so suddenly?"

Coleen pointed at her daughter, "She got kicked out by the Cedillos."

Molly pouted, keeping silent.

the Cedillo living room

holding precious jade artifacts and

opening them on the spot for the Cedillos to inspect

not skimped on the wedding gifts, filling the Cedillos' living room

his eyes fixated on the bounty that

and Mia leaned over the living room railing, one on the step below, the other above. "Damn, Leo, did you notice? The Byrnes are quietly loaded! Look at the dowry for your aunt; they're digging deep for this one." Leo's curiosity peaked, "How much did Uncle give you for a

his nephew, glancing down at his son who was finally

shook her head, "I never saw it. Uncle

at the Byrne residence, in

the Cedillo home, showcasing a room full of gifts - all part of her

my dad accept

Mia replied, "He did."

knot in her stomach. She knew what her father accepting

her phone aside, Molly flopped onto her bed in

open the door, smiling at the sight of Molly sprawled

should join me in thanking Mia

father accepting the dowry must have been influenced

Mia's in trouble

at the

of the dowry, Hansen retreated to his bedroom. Mia, holding her sleeping son, was whisked

her lip, playing dumb, "I have no idea what

couldn't resist the influence of a mischievous little wife

to stay calm, while

helped Mia and Chad navigate through a tough

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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