Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 539

Jack sat next to his wife, Emily, while Nick cozied up beside Grace. Lucy sat alone on the couch, her head down, wiping away her tears.

Harold's voice cut through the tension. "Alright, everyone's here. Let's get this out in the open."

Samantha felt like an outsider and was about to leave with little Oliver, not wanting to interrupt the adults' conversation. But Alex held her hand firmly, guiding her to sit beside him. "Stay put," he said gently. "Big brother Jack, I... I want to marry Dylan," Lucy managed between sobs.

Jack's brows furrowed instantly. "Absolutely not."

Nick, usually the easy-going one, showed his displeasure. "Lucy, I don't agree either," he said firmly.

The Smith men stood united, surprisingly over Lucy's situation.

Seeing his sons agree, Harold's anger subsided a bit. "Lucy, no one in this family agrees. If Dylan doesn't want to embarrass himself, he should just give up."

Grace finally spoke up, stating her position clearly. "Dad, Lucy's a grown woman. She's going to get married eventually, and Dylan..."

"I said no means no," Harold cut her off, raising his voice.

Even Mia, who usually had the highest regard in the household, stayed silent after Grace was reprimanded. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

Jack glanced at his wife; he knew she was Lucy's closest confidant. Yet, she hadn't spoken up this time.

Perhaps Lucy could count on a sudden show of support from Grace, but surely she had not forgotten Mia's suggestions. Otherwise, how could Grace have so quickly accepted Lucy and Dylan's relationship? Anyone else would need time to ponder before offering support. Only after Mia's prompting would Lucy have realized who in the family could be swayed to her side.

Mia looked down at her son's sleeping face, aware of her husband's intense gaze. She didn't dare meet Jack's eyes, feeling intimidated.

Lucy, now terrified, found an unlikely ally in Alex. "Grandpa, if you're opposed, at least give us a reason," he challenged.

"What reason do I need? Can't I just dislike Dylan?" Harold almost got into another argument with his grandson.

Samantha passed a tissue to Lucy from the table. "Auntie, dry your tears."

In a rare moment of boldness, Alex continued, "Aunt Lucy and Dylan are fine together. They're the ones getting married, not you. You don't have to live with them."

Harold pointed his walking stick at Alex. "One more word, and you can leave this house."

The baby in Mia's arms woke up to the noisy atmosphere and started crying. It was too loud for the poor baby to sleep.

Mia quickly stood up, rocking her baby back and forth to soothe him.

Harold softened his voice when he realized he had startled his grandson. "I'm the father here, and I should have a say in my daughter's marriage."

Alex warned, "Just don't scare Samantha away with your bossiness."

Samantha thought to herself, "I'm not scared," but stayed silent.

Harold looked at his prospective granddaughter-in-law and lowered his voice even more.

Mia, silently observing the mood in the room, cooed to her son. "Shh, sleepy time now, close your eyes, mommy's here."

Jack spoke coldly, "Lucy, you're too young. I don't approve of this marriage."

Lucy retorted, "Your wife was even younger than me when you married her."

Mia, who was trying to pacify the baby, thought, "Caught in the crossfire..."

Sometimes, she marveled at her sister's audacity.

Was Lucy afraid of Jack? Her words were defiant, but she didn't dare meet his gaze. Yet, she had the nerve to challenge Jack, the man everyone feared! Jack demanded, "Is your situation with Mia the same as yours? Really?"

Lucy whispered, "The difference is, one was a disgraceful forced marriage, the other is fighting for what she wants."

Mia reminded her, "Lucy, this isn't the time for rebellion."

Jack was furious, and Lucy didn't dare speak any further.

Nick, knowing his home had set a precedent with Mia, skirted around the issue of age. "Lucy, I just don't think you and Dylan are right for each other, on many levels."

Grace took the opposite stance. "I think Lucy and Dylan are quite compatible. If we're talking about family background, anyone Lucy chooses would be marrying down. Besides, Lucy grew up in the Byrne household, so marrying back into the Byrnes is like returning to her own home. They share similar values, so there won't be any major differences in their fundamental beliefs. Furthermore, we all know the Byrnes very well; we're familiar with how they treat our Lucy. We won't have to worry about her being mistreated in the future." Jack questioned, "Who would dare to mistreat a Smith daughter?"

Did they consider her brothers dead? Or was the Smith family name just for show?

Realizing the argument wouldn't be resolved today, Mia intervened. "Dad, Jack, Grace, let's leave it here for now. We're all aware of the situation. Let's take some time to cool off and think about what's best for Lucy. Since this has already happened and Lucy is an adult, let's give each other some space to think things over, okay?" Harold didn't respond, so Mia added, "If we keep arguing, Henry will wake up crying again, and we might scare Samantha off."

After her careful observation, Mia knew she had a grip on Harold's two soft spots: he couldn't bear to upset his grandson and certainly didn't want his prospective granddaughter-in-law to flee.

Harold stood up with a stern face and left the living room first, setting the tone for the evening's abrupt end.

After his departure, Grace called her husband away from the dwindling gathering.

Mia glanced at her husband; the silent treatment was evidently back in play as she scooped up her son and headed upstairs.

Feeling the unspoken cue, Jack rose and followed the silhouette of his wife out of the living room.

With the departure of what seemed like a small army, Lucy, too, found her feet and exited the scene.

Now alone with Alex, Samantha whispered, "Chad, I wasn't scared. Why did you and Aunt say I was?"

Alex blew a gentle gust of air onto Samantha's inquisitive little face, causing her to lean back, her face catching the breeze, her eyes quickly snapping shut and then just as swiftly reopening. "Chad, what are you doing?" Alex simply replied, "Dunce."

Samantha was left speechless...

After Samantha retreated to her room, Alex made his way to Lucy's bedroom, finding her slumped over the vanity.

"Jade," he said, an edge of disbelief coloring his tone, "you've managed to shock the living daylights out of me."