Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 493

Molly was whining about a headache right after lunch. Chad suggested she take a nap, but she refused.

Finally, she revealed her little ploy, "Hey, bro, could you massage my temples?"

Chad just stared at her, speechless.

Not waiting for a reply, she flopped down on his lap, grinning up at him. "Thanks, big brother."

Chad indulged her, "Close your eyes."

Molly quickly shut her eyes, and soon felt his gentle touch on her temples.

In less than three minutes, her even breathing signaled she was fast asleep.

Chad stopped massaging, chuckling at the sight of his sister dozing off on his lap. Then, with a gentle touch, he lifted her in a princess carry and took her back to her room.

Coleen commented, "Good thing you're her brother, always fit from all that training. You can carry her around like a feather. Anyone else would struggle."

Chad carried Molly upstairs, tucked her into bed, and stole a few more glances at her before leaving.

Suddenly, the commotion from downstairs caught his attention. Recognizing the voices, he frowned. What were they doing here?

After making sure Molly was comfortable, he left the room. Seeing the four members of Juliana's family downstairs, his eyes filled with annoyance.

"Coleen, you're out of the hospital?" Juliana exclaimed with joy upon seeing her.

Chad descended the stairs and asked the housekeeper, "Who let them in?"

"Master Chad, they often visit the elders when you're not home. I'm used to it and didn't stop them."

Chad recalled Juliana's words over the phone a few days ago, and a chill ran down his spine.

Vivian hadn't expected to see Chad at home. Blushing, she approached him, "Chad, I didn't know you were home."

She tried to get closer, but Chad sternly warned, "Molly is sleeping upstairs. If you disturb her or upset her, I'll defend her, not you."

Chad wasn't one to play favorites, except when it came to Molly.

Startled, Vivian didn't dare approach any further. She retreated and found a seat on the couch across the room.

Chad entered the living room, addressing his recently discharged mother, "Mom, you should rest. I'll handle the guests."

Kendrick, fearing his wife might get upset again, suggested, "Coleen, go rest upstairs."

As Coleen was about to leave, Juliana grabbed her hand.

"Don't go, Coleen. Every time I wanted to visit you in the hospital, our parents stopped me. I finally get to see you today; we must catch up." Juliana sat beside Coleen, holding her hand affectionately. With no choice, Coleen sat back down.

"How's your health, Coleen?" Juliana inquired, her eyes subtly calculating.

Coleen was annoyed but didn't show it. "I'm fine."

"What did the doctor say about your follow-up?" Juliana pressed.

Coleen decided to be evasive, "Just regular treatment." She didn't reveal any specifics.

Juliana pushed further, "What kind of treatment?"

Coleen mimicked her daughter's nonchalant response, "The kind you get from a doctor."

Frustrated by the vague answers, Juliana's persistence was halted by Vivian, who sensed Coleen's deliberate evasion. "Aunt Coleen, you've been through so much. If I had known about your surgery, I would have taken leave to care for you." "No need, I have my daughter."

Kendrick frowned, wanting to ask the guests to leave but unable to be as direct as Molly would have been if she weren't sleeping.

"Coleen, what happened to the company while you were in the hospital?" Juliana, unable to hide her concern, quickly switched topics. "You know, it's not wise to leave a company to a stranger. Some people take advantage when you're not careful, acting like criminals and leaving you with nothing."

Juliana's nonsensical rambling caught Coleen's attention.

Having been in the business world for decades, Coleen knew people well. Juliana, a simple country woman, wouldn't understand these things unless someone told her.

Coleen glanced at Vivian.

Vivian cursed her stepmother inwardly for not paying attention. She quickly tried to remedy the situation, "Aunt Coleen, my mother meant legal entities and shell companies. I mentioned it casually once, not expecting her to take it seriously."

Juliana nodded, "Yes, it's not easy to start a business. You mustn't hand your company to strangers."

Coleen responded with a calm smile, "Thank you for your concern, Juliana. But I haven't handed the company over to a stranger. My daughter is managing everything."

"Who? Molly?" Juliana shrieked.

Upstairs, Molly stirred in her sleep, rolling over and continuing to slumber.

Downstairs, Coleen nodded, "Yes."

"Coleen, that's my worst fear. What is Molly to you? How could you entrust your company to her? You didn't understand what I meant earlier. By stranger, I mean someone without blood ties to us. What if she siphons off all your company's money? Your twenty years of effort will be wasted." Vivian noticed the Byrnes' affection for Molly. She tried to win favor by siding with her stepmother while also stirring up her stepmother's hatred for Molly.

The more her stepmother hated Molly, the more chances Vivian had to leave a good impression on the Byrnes.

"Mom, you can't say that. Although Molly doesn't have blood ties with Aunt Coleen, they have shared many years of affection. She wouldn't do such a thing. But, isn't Molly still a college student? Can she manage a company?"

Juliana was agitated, "What do you know? Molly is exploiting your uncle and aunt's kindness. She's a cunning little schemer. People might not see through her, but I can."

Coleen chuckled, "I can still tell who's good to me. Sis, we've had this conversation before. I need some rest now, so feel free to carry on."

Ignoring Coleen's hint to leave, Juliana held onto her hand, "Coleen, Molly is still a student. Even if you trust her, she doesn't have the capacity to help. You'd be better off having Dave help you out at the company.

You also have a nephew at the company, right? Keep an eye on him. You're sick now, and he could very well be building alliances to sideline you. You need to have your own people in the company, you know?

If you don't have anyone, let Dave oversee things for you. You might not know others well, but you know Dave, right? He's honest and obedient, he won't betray you. Your brother-in-law just got laid off; let him guard against your nephew's family at the company, too. We're family, after all. I'm only saying all this for your good, sis."