Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Can you believe the in-laws actually gave their blessing?"

Chad thought of his little nephew. "I've got an insider in the Cedillo family. From now on, I've got my nephew's back."

...

Back at the sprawling Maplewood Estates, no matter where Mia tried to hide with the baby at night, Andre had an uncanny knack for finding them. And then, without hesitation, he'd scoop them both up and carry them out.

It had taken Leo several days to gather the necessary intel. That afternoon, he brought Anya along to Maplewood Estates.

In the living room, Andre was the picture of domesticity. By day, he was a doting father, lavishing love on his son, carrying him around the house. He patiently bottle-fed the baby, coaxing him to get used to the formula one sip at a time.

But at night, Andre turned into the stern patriarch, tossing the toddler into the next room to ensure his evenings remained undisturbed.

Anya had come over too, and upon arrival, she squatted in front of Andre, eager to catch up with the little one she hadn't seen in days. "Uncle, where's Auntie?"

Andre, realizing his wife had slept enough, called out to the housekeeper, "Mrs. Hughes, would you wake the lady of the house, please?"

When both Mia and Anya joined him, Andre knew Leo must have news. Mia came downstairs, yawning, and Andre handed over the baby. "Play with Anya in the living room. Leo and I need to talk in the study."

Leo stood and followed Andre to the study of Maplewood Estates, which was far more spacious and imposing than their home office, complete with a grand conference room.

Maplewood Estates combined Andre's personal and professional spaces into one colossal domain, so vast he seldom needed to visit the company's office. "Got something for me?"

Leo nodded, having stayed up nights and narrowly escaping detection and pursuit to unlock all the Walker family's records. "Uncle, this is what Anya's friend passed to me. I've skimmed through it. They've hired a hitman twice, tracked us three times. Their chat logs show they've been probing the Cedillo family's internal affairs and our brotherly bonds. They've even looked into my profile, but of course, they found nothing.

The year you married Mia, the Cedillo Group came under their scrutiny.

Their edge over us in the last bid was due to a price war-they had more volume. This has records of illegal purchases through the dark web, intending to push our family out of the international market.

also had them check on Tom, but no

flipped through the file, filled with English text, and asked Leo,

clear, managed to shake

his nephew, a newfound respect in his eyes. The boy's audacity to hack the dark web and evade its 'watchers' had taken him

"What's the plan, uncle?"

"I'll take it from

provided was more than useful. As he prepared to leave, Andre called out, "Thank my niece's friend again, will you? Pay him a little extra. Noah will transfer the funds directly to your

left, he found Mia, who was struggling with her sleep schedule. "How are you going to manage when classes

"I'll adjust,

up the little one, missing him

when they left, but now he

every day, "Why doesn't Mia come

against his chest, his embrace looking mighty comfortable. The infant turned his face to rest on his uncle's shoulder, with Aunt Anya beside them, trying to coax a smile. Upstairs, Andre reviewed all the information Leo had given him. He called the head of the international division, "How much did the Walker family

they did 360 tons; we did 280," the division head replied, his voice taut with the pressure of a direct call from the

Second, being a local company, they've been promoting

12%, shave the profits, and get close to the Walker family. If

might get the sack, a problem escalated to the point where

anywhere but the Walker family's own businesses. No Cedillo Group subsidiary or investment firm anywhere in the world

"Sir, such a drastic price cut is

order was firm.

"Yes, sir."

hung up and stood; it was time for dinner. He had to join his wife and little boy at

Anya prepared to leave, but the hosts insisted they stay for the

some time off. Entertain Anya for a few days. Once she's back in school,

But Leo remained noncommittal.

between uncle and nephew, quickly

his father's arms, asleep and oblivious to