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.

aloud, unaware of the reasoning behind Andre's

one else," Andre finally spoke, the glow of his phone screen illuminating a picture of a vibrant young woman clutching a chubby little kid.

to rise to power. The Cedillo Group's backing had been a badge of honor for Brian, often

enough of her vendetta against

together. "No wonder Old Walker trusted Tom so quickly. Jillian introduced them, and

him soft," Conner mused, staring out at the

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

the chaos, left the child to his devices, choosing instead to catch up with

did you hear about Holly?" Molly began, her tone

Mia was speechless.

"

but then Chad suggested Tom was more 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, "I remember Andre mentioning that without Tom, there'd be a fortune with no heir. Holly might've seen a golden ticket in bearing

do all men get this annoying?" Unbeknownst to Molly, Chad had quietly entered the room, listening in with a smirk, unnoticed by Molly but spotted by Mia, who chose to keep

to escape just to get a moment's peace. Does Andre ever drive you up the wall

her nightly skincare routine, Molly set down her hands, her gaze shifting to her phone's

Behind her...

you have a pleasant and wonderful evening, best of luck and

a "curfew" at eight, and now, it was Mia's

but smile as she ended