Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

When Chad laid out all the evidence in front of Finley, the room practically buzzed with tension. It was like a scene right out of a crime thriller. "You know, spending a few years behind bars isn't the worst thing," Chad began, his voice steady and unforgiving. "By the time you're pushing eighty, you'll be considered an old-timer around here. Maybe even get your sentence lightened if you play your cards right. But let's not forget, by then, I'll still be here, our family fortune intact. The kids will still have their future. All you're losing are a few years, which, when you put it into perspective, isn't much."

When Chad brought up the evidence linking Finley to the Walker family's money laundering operation, Finley just glanced at it, unfazed. But as Chad laid everything out, declaring, "The amount involved in the money laundering is astronomical. Enough for a death sentence," Finley couldn't help but reassess the young man before him, a sharp investigator in his late twenties who he had underestimated.

"Chad, I heard you recently got hitched."

"Yeah, tied the knot with Molly."

Finley's thoughts drifted to a memory of a little girl, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at him. "And Tom?" he inquired. "Gone."

Finley hadn't heard a word about Tom from his lawyer during the visits, which had left him uneasy. And now, Chad was bringing it up again.

With a heavy sigh, Finley's gaze, clouded with age, met Chad's. "If you've got solid evidence, why come to me? You're looking to hear the story straight from the horse's mouth."

Sitting across from Finley, Chad admitted openly, "Exactly."

"I want to see your father-in-law."

...

discussed this with Andre, their focuses were different. Chad was adamant about bringing the truth of his wife's murder

on the situation, he asked, "So, he's

enough evidence to seal the

about the baby girl?" Hansen asked, his usual

"Given away."

the day, he left the house, only to return moments later to pick up his grandson, who was innocently chewing on his fists. "Off to make Finley

they arrived at the prison, Hansen, holding his grandson, waited for Finley. The little one, curious and oblivious to the gravity of the situation, was a

kid?" Chad asked, puzzled by his

it in Finley's face," Andre explained, sharing a look

in, the contrast between him and Hansen was palpable. Hansen, the picture of contentment with his chubby grandson and proud children by his side, and Finley, a man defeated by

flaunted his grandson to Finley, boasting about the joys of family life, it was clear he was enjoying every moment of Finley's envy. "Life's too good, I tell ya. Naomi's a hard worker, Mia's always bringing treats, my daughter's my gaming buddy, and

a mix of regret

forsaken for his crimes.

No wonder Wesley got a timeout that seemed to last forever. He walked up behind his father, bent down, and scooped up his precious