Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Haven't heard from him yet?"

Bruce nodded. "Andre, you've got more connections than I do and your investigations are thorough. Tell me, how's Leo's interest in cybersecurity going?"

Andre had been quietly gathering information for days. "I ran the numbers. Out of a hundred companies, less than half will last five years."

Bruce rubbed the edge of his cup with his index finger, deep in thought. "So, it's pretty tough, huh?"

Andre glanced at his brother's hand, understanding the worry of a father since he became one himself. "The company has a security department, but Leo isn't going to take it over." He'd talked extensively with the department head, learning insider info and understanding his nephew's character.

Andre continued, "Everything at Cedillo Inc. is managed in-house, solely for Cedillo Group's cybersecurity needs. Leo wants to create a portal for all businesses."

This wasn't something he could just dream up and achieve. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it, and the wealth rankings wouldn't look the way they do.

Bruce didn't sip his tea, his fatherly concern evident. "Andre, Naomi and I haven't paid enough attention to Leo over the years. His education has been your responsibility. Naomi and I owe you a..."

Before he could say "thank you," Andre interrupted, "Big brother, we're family. No need for formalities. You and Naomi have done a lot for my son too. I get it. Leo's an adult now, I won't meddle." Andre always said he'd back off once Leo came of age, but seeing his nephew's reckless behavior, he couldn't help but worry. To him, Leo was still a kid, so he kept a close eye on him.

This time, he truly let go.

Bruce stayed in Andre's office until it was time to return to work in the afternoon.

Later, Andre opened a drawer, looking at the new business cards he'd made for Leo. Noticing the resemblance in their features, he put them back and closed the drawer. He massaged his temples, feeling drained. At that moment, he longed to go home, to see the two who could make him smile with just a glance.

Henry was at his grandma's, happily enjoying a "feast" of three bowls of food, when his dad's video call came in.

Andre saw his son's face covered in food and laughed, "Henry, what are you eating at grandma's?"

insisting on being fed by his grandma, and after

scolded, and after crying, everyone

holding their son in new clothes. "Did you feed your clothes again while eating?" Henry's clothes, hanging in the Irvin family's yard, had dried under the afternoon sun, smelling like sunshine,

practice. Today, he even managed to crawl up to

he couldn't

complaining, "He manages to prop himself up and crawl

lying on the ground, and called out with a smile, "Henry, come

a diaper, excitedly kicked his legs on the

over, picked up his little lazybones, and Henry immediately started nibbling on his dad's face. "Mmm buzz, ah ah, crawl

nibbled, making noises to liven

dinner with the Irvin family, the trio headed

who had been missing for three days, finally turned his phone on and immediately received

hope, not expecting Chad to pick up. In her bedroom, she dialed again before going to sleep.

light in Anya's eyes

rings, Leo picked up, and

a faint "hmm," his voice

down, softly calling out, "Chad," then she said, "We've all been worried about you.

"I'm fine, don't worry."

down, touching the quilt. "Chad, Uncle returned to Maplewood

Anya's words, rarely using her name. "Anya, about that night, I was a bit impulsive. About our relationship, do you want to reconsider?" "Chad, it's too late." Anya said, "I've

Leo: "..."

to be your girlfriend.

"Anyway, that's that, you figure it

of someone ready to play the victim, after all, Leo