Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 514

Before long, Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, along with the grandparents, arrived at the scene. Vivian had phoned for help, and Mr. and Mrs. Byrne, concerned for their daughter, had rushed over.

Once there, they discovered the gravity of the situation. Molly, fuming with pent-up anger, felt her confidence swell at the sight of her parents' arrival. The arson case remained unsolved. Vivian's statement lacked evidence, and Molly's accusations went unacknowledged by Vivian. At the police station, both parties recounted the afternoon's events. Molly, clear and articulate, repeated her story from start to finish, not omitting a single insult she had hurled. The officers were taken aback, glancing at Sergeant Sullivan at the back of the room. Molly, Chad's little sister, wasn't she supposed to be the bubbly and lively one? Chad awkwardly turned away, gazing out the window.

Vivian, in stark contrast, was rattled. She stumbled over her words, visibly anxious and scared. As the night grew late, the police had no choice but to send everyone home. But, with the boarding house having been set ablaze, Vivian couldn't return there. In Havenbrook, she only had the Byrnes, her only kin. She turned to Aunt Colleen, tears in her eyes, pleading for a loan. "Auntie, I've lost everything. Could I borrow some money to stay somewhere else?"

The room, filled with officers, perceived the awkwardness of the situation. How could Colleen deny her own "niece" a place to stay and instead make her borrow money for a hotel room? Furthermore, this was happening in front of none other than the renowned Officer Chad's mother! If Colleen lent the money that day, it would be a slap in the face to the Byrne family. It could even lead to gossip about Chad at the precinct, suggesting they had a mansion but wouldn't offer a room to a niece in need.

Vivian, always playing the victim to gain sympathy, didn't realize how her request affected the Byrnes' pride. Seizing the moment, Molly, known for her fiery temper, stormed out to her car and grabbed Colleen's wallet. She pulled out several hundred dollars and, in front of all the officers, slapped the bills across Vivian's face. "Beat it!"

Her actions mirrored those of her father, Andre, when he was angry, although she lacked his composed demeanor. As the money scattered on the floor, Vivian stood humiliated, a flash of murderous intent flickering in her eyes. Chad, aware of his sister's impulsive nature, caught the dangerous glint in Vivian's eyes and quickly stepped in front of Molly. With a stern face, he said, "It's impersonal to talk about borrowing. Keep the money, find yourself a decent hotel, and don't bother returning it."

The same goal, but Chad's approach, calm and assertive, left a very different impression. Learning of Vivian's intent to borrow money, Molly had reacted impulsively, her outburst leading others to see her as hot-headed. But Chad, ever the steady hand, took control. He offered the money, subtly reprimanding Vivian before everyone. The money was theirs to give, and they even generously suggested she needn't repay it.

The other officers quickly stepped in to mediate, even the coroner, who was close to Molly, pulled her aside. The money on the floor was picked up by the officers and handed to Vivian, their comments siding with Molly, "That's just how Molly is. Spoiled rotten since she was a kid. Take this money and find a hotel. We'll notify you if there are any updates on the case."

When Molly tried to intervene, the coroner held her back, "Listen to your sister, don't be rash." Vivian, eyes lowered, did not reach for the offered cash but let her long hair hide the malice in her eyes. When she looked up, her face was once again innocent as she turned to Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer, "Grandpa and Grandma, could you stay with me at the hotel? I'm frightened to be alone. You are the only ones I know here."

Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer were at a loss for words. Molly snapped, "Vivian, have you no shame? You just embarrassed my mom, and now you're dragging my grandparents into this?" The grandparents weren't fooled. They knew Molly's worth couldn't be replaced by Vivian's occasional company. The entire room sided with their own flesh and blood.

Even the coroner felt Vivian was manipulative, preferring the straightforwardness of their own Molly. "Where is your family?" "Not here." "Then why are you?" the coroner probed. Vivian glanced at Colleen, "I came to care for Auntie when she was unwell. After she recovered, Grandpa and Grandma needed looking after, so I stayed."

Her words imposed a moral chain on the Byrnes, putting their reputation at stake. Rejecting her request now would paint the Byrnes as heartless, especially since Vivian had come to Havenbrook for them. Now, their daughter was a suspect, and here was Vivian, having to borrow money for a hotel and lacking someone to accompany her.

Grandma Aubree finally spoke, "Colleen, I think I won't be coming home tonight..." Molly interjected loudly, "No way!" All eyes turned to Colleen, who hadn't said a word throughout the ordeal. She finally grasped Vivian's intentions, clearly aiming to inveigle her way into staying with them. She knew her mother-in-law was reluctant but would agree for the sake of appearances.

Colleen looked at Vivian with a cold expression and said, "Chad, take Molly back to the Cedillo household. Make sure you tell them everything that happened today! Vivian, you'll come back with us to the Byrne residence. After all, we are your aunts, uncles, and grandparents. How could we let you stay outside? If your parents found out, how could they ever forgive us!"

With that, Colleen angrily got into her car. Vivian's ploy had worked; the pitiful look on her face vanished as she succeeded in her scheme. She glanced at Coleen's retreating figure, well aware of whom she had crossed. Molly, fuming with anger, marched up to Vivian and hissed a warning, "Remember who you've messed with today, Vivian! If I don't make you pay dearly for this, then my name isn't Molly Reed."

She slumped into the passenger seat of Chad's car, and in the dead of night, he drove her back to the Reed household. At the Reed residence, Hansen was just about to turn in when he was startled awake by the late return of his daughter. Anya, who had been cramming for her exams, noticed Molly's return. She tiptoed to Leo's room and whispered through the door, "Chad, Auntie's back, and she seems really ticked off."

Leo, clad in his pajamas, swiftly opened the door and said, "Let's go downstairs and check it out." In the evening, the Reeds had all gathered in the living room, their eyes on Jade, who sat alone, looking wronged. Upon hearing the news, Hansen was furious at Chad, "If you can't even take care of my girl, then stay away from her."

"Dad, it's not Chad's fault. Don't take it out on him," Molly interjected. Hansen was silent, his thoughts clear: his daughter had no loyalty. Naomi tried to comfort her sister-in-law, "Tomorrow, I'll go with you to confront that Vivian and see if she dares stir up any more trouble." Bruce Reed turned to Chad, "Who's on this case?" "Easton," Chad replied. Bruce nodded, "Leave his number with me."

"Big brother, I've got Easton's number too," Molly chimed in, scrolling through her phone contacts and passing 'Big E' Easton's number to Bruce. After jotting down the number, Bruce rose and left the living room, ready to use his influence to apply pressure. After Chad had seen everyone off, he, too, departed. Just as he was leaving, Leo caught up to him and asked earnestly, "Chad, do you believe Auntie didn't start that fire?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Chad firmly answered, "I believe her. If Molly really wanted to get back at her, she'd have told me and even asked for my advice."