Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo's question threw Anya for a loop. She stared at him, puzzled, feeling like she might have guessed what he was hinting at, but doubting her own intuition. "Chad..."

Leo cut her off, "It's getting late, and we have classes tomorrow. Better hit the sack."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there.

Anya slowly climbed the stairs, lost in thought. Back in her bedroom, sleep eluded her. She sat by the window, resting her face in her hands, gazing at the bright moonlight outside.

A warm breeze drifted through, carrying the sweet scent of blooming lilacs from the yard. The night was ink-black, wrapped in a cloak of tranquility and ease. Apart from a few lights glowing in the yard, her room was swathed in dimness. It was the perfect season for a good night's sleep.

Yet, Leo lay in his bed, wide awake. He remembered that day vividly. He hadn't really fought with his uncle, just had an unpleasant encounter.

Initially, Uncle Andre had been slowly turning up the heat, assigning Leo a fixed amount of work daily to get him used to the job while observing him from the shadows. After a while, Leo's work met every standard. Andre planned to increase the pressure, intending to entrust his nephew with more significant responsibilities, grooming him for the role of Secretary-General and personally mentoring him.

Unexpectedly, Uncle Andre's first attempt to push Leo into the role failed. The "frog" he'd been slowly boiling was still very much alive and kicking.

"Uncle, I don't want to take over as Secretary-General. I don't think I'm cut out for it."

Andre frowned. "This is a company directive. You must comply."

"Then I resign."

Andre's cold gaze bore down on his nephew, "Say that again." He knew Leo's courage better than Leo's own parents did.

Leo, intimidated by his uncle's aura, swallowed the words he was about to say, still unsure of himself.

"Be a man and take your responsibilities seriously." Andre had no patience for irresponsibility, "Spending all your time with Mia and Molly, have you forgotten you're a man? Do you think you're the same as them? Mia has me, Molly has her parents, and do you really expect the Cedillo family to support you forever?"

Leo remained unfazed. "Then I'll continue with this job."

about Anya?"

Anya's name, Leo

complexities of Calder Corporation. "Anya has two choices:

home. Despite his low status in the family, as the eldest grandson of the

he was to become a strong tree able to provide shelter, he would have to accept the life path his uncle laid out for him. Taking over as

that's just

replied, "Mr. Calder himself told

it came from his uncle, it

over. I want an answer in three

give

strained. It wasn't until Mia intervened, sensing something was wrong, that she quickly

Leo closed his eyes, his mind was a tangled mess,

Anya woke and went to knock on Leo's door, Naomi told her, "That kid

his family, and even the baby wasn't

company, "Come on,

and sat beside Hansen, distracted. "Grandpa, do you know

with him? As long as he's not lost, it's

Chad is

unconcerned, "So what if he is? Worst comes to worst, we'll have your uncle look for

no games installed. She waited for a game

do I

what does

"Grandpa, this..."

her, more clueless than he was, Hansen asked, "You don't

honestly, "I've never played