Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chapter 1599

The streets buzzed with clusters of little vendors, all hustling to catch the surge of festival-goers and show off their quirky goods.

By day, the air was alive with the thump of drums, sharp cracks of whips, and bursts of music. There were dragon dancers, lion troupes leaping through the crowd, stilt walkers teetering above heads, flag spinners, and all sorts of street performers keeping everyone's eyes wide.

When night fell, people gathered for lantern riddles, admired glowing lanterns strung overhead, watched acrobats flip and juggle, and cheered as fireworks lit up the sky.

The whole scene was electric-a good chunk of it thanks to Mr. Nettleton's generous wallet.

Vendors with baskets of candied hawthorn and others selling paper lanterns wove through the throng, while at the curb, kids pleaded with their parents to release sky lanterns into the night.

Everywhere you looked: couples arm in arm, kids darting and shrieking with laughter, old-timers grinning beneath lantern light. Young folks automatically pulled out their phones, recording the bustle to save or share.

It wasn't every day you'd see Mr. Nettleton's crew-sharp in their suits-stationed among the crowds, quietly keeping an eye on things.

Police in uniform wandered through, gently reminding tourists: "Watch your stuff. Hold onto your kids. Stay safe."

"Honey, that's the third time we've been warned tonight, right?" Mia, never one to miss a party, had talked Andre into bringing the family out.

Since they had their little one with them, just about everyone they passed stopped to remind them, "Keep an eye on your kid!"

men spotted Andre and

little tiger cub-Henry-was already famous in his godfather's circles. Thanks to the crowd, Henry got the VIP view: hoisted up high

one of those!" he squealed, pointing

He licked the sticky sweet a few times, then

by

of lights, after all. Andre bought her the cutest little lantern, and she carried it happily as they wandered, leaving Andre to

the bustling crowd, waiting for the show

already underway, but Henry couldn't

Andre picked him up and settled him on his shoulders. Suddenly, Henry was

too

and

from up there, but he

sitting high, safe on his

moment slip by, Mia quickly snapped a

from behind, just before

coat, cut a tall, handsome figure.

shoulders, he looked

get a better view, soon found herself swept