Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Night had fallen, and the chill in the air was something Tom could handle on his own, but the child cradled in his arms wasn't as resilient. Just the night before, the little one had been safe and warm in his mother's embrace... Tom couldn't bear to think further. The phone buzzed again; it was Wesley calling for the umpteenth time. Tom swiftly declined the call and dialed Jillian, who was also abroad.

"Hey, Jillian, interested in a $2.5 billion deal?"

Jillian was instantly alert, "What do you mean?" This was way beyond the money she made from her clandestine operations smuggling drugs internationally, a fortune she never dreamt possible.

Tom spelled it out: "Raising a child, till they're grown."

...

The skyline was inked in darkness, but Cedillo Inc.'s lights were still ablaze. Another vibration on Andre's desk caught Conner's immediate attention. Picking up the phone, Andre read the incoming text.

"Who?" Conner inquired, curiosity peaking.

"Just someone digging their own grave!"

Andre shut off the phone, reflecting on an incident 17 years prior, a mess stirred up by Brian Marshal and Finley, with Jillian, then a student, caught in the crossfire. Although Jillian was a thorn in many a side, Andre had seen no reason to end her. In his takedown of the Marshal Group, Brian was the only target, leaving Jillian to flee the country, a move Andre had paid no mind to until now. Life had been too comfortable, nearly erasing the memory of her existence. She had been given a second chance, a chance she chose not to cherish. Now, conspiring with traitors, she had exhausted Andre's mercy.

Soon after, word came that Tom was spotted heading to the airport, a move he couldn't afford to make.

"Keep on him," Andre commanded after a brief silence, despite knowing full well the identity of the intermediary.

let Tom go?" Conner wondered aloud, unaware of the reasoning

the glow of his phone screen illuminating a picture of a

Group's influence to rise to power. The Cedillo Group's backing had been a badge of honor for Brian, often flaunted to secure partnerships. Hence, the old timers in the market knew the Marshal Group as an offshoot of the Cedillo conglomerate, a relationship soured by an unforgivable

Walker, coupled with her identity, was proof enough of her vendetta

pieced it together. "No wonder Old Walker trusted Tom so quickly. Jillian introduced them, and since she fled the country with

Conner mused, staring out at the

yet the little one was still a bundle of energy, babbling and shouting incoherently. Bath time was a battlefield, with tears at the slightest touch

to his devices, choosing instead

hear about Holly?" Molly

Mia was speechless.

"

likely. Holly, chasing after Finley, a man past his prime... In the end, she was on the run, a wanted fugitive, and now, dead." Mia propped her head up,

her routine while venting, "We really need to choose our partners wisely. Chad's been driving me nuts, comparing himself to jailbird Finley, making me feel lucky to have him. Honestly, do all men get this annoying?" Unbeknownst to Molly, Chad had quietly entered the room, listening in with a smirk, unnoticed by

it just me, or do all men have a screw loose? I had to escape just to get a moment's peace. Does

wrapping up her nightly skincare routine, Molly set down her

Behind her...

a pleasant and wonderful evening, best of

and Leo always teased Mia about having a "curfew" at eight, and now, it

smile as she