Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 546

Juliana's eyes widened in shock. "Settling down?"

"Yeah," Coleen replied with a nod. "Dave's not getting any younger. It's time we started thinking about his future."

Juliana was barely making ends meet, her days a juggle of bills and worry. The last thing on her mind was playing matchmaker.

Coleen sat in the backyard, her laughter mingling with the chatter of the neighbors.

Vivian watched from a distance, her brows knitted in confusion. What could Juliana possibly have to discuss with her that was so amusing?

Clutching a throw blanket, Vivian stepped outside to join Coleen, curious to catch the drift of her conversation.

"Has Dave met anyone decent at college?" Coleen inquired.

After a moment of reflection, she sighed. "Not really. But no regrets. If it's not someone from school, we'll just have to take matters into our own hands. You know, Vivian's been quite the gem. She's been taking care of me at Havenbrook with such dedication and skill. She's got a good head on her shoulders, knows her way around the kitchen, and has a heart of gold. She's been like a daughter to you all these years, right? That's got to count for something.

Plus, she and Dave grew up together, thick as thieves.

Our own kids? Molly wouldn't give the time of day to anyone but her dear Chad."

Overhearing this, Vivian's eyes bulged with shock. Staring at Coleen's back, her grip on the throw blanket tightened, her teeth clenched.

Juliana questioned, "Coleen, if Vivian is so wonderful, why not set her up with Chad? If your foster daughter married into the Byrne family, with your health not allowing you to work much longer, she'd be the one calling the shots soon. Wouldn't that mean better days ahead for me?""

Coleen offered a wistful smile before replying, "Dear sister, Chad isn't as lucky as Dave to have someone like that in his life. Plus, Chad's girl... let's just say she's not exactly a catch. She's never so much as washed a dish; she expects dinner served on a silver platter. She has a temper, no skills to speak of, just a knack for whining. Spends Chad's money like water; it's always about her.

It drives me, and my husband, up the wall. Imagine having a daughter-in-law like that. It's enough to give you an ulcer.

Now, compare her to Vivian. You don't know how lucky you are."

Coleen's tone dripped with disdain for her "daughter-in-law" and envy for Juliana's potential one.

Juliana pondered on this. Indeed, life would be unbearable with such a person in the family. Seizing the moment, Coleen added, "Besides, you wouldn't have to spend a dime!"

If Juliana had been hesitant before, considering Coleen's words, the final statement hit home.

Coleen continued, "These days, marrying off a daughter costs a fortune. Dowry money, down payment for a house, a car, jewelry - it all adds up to a hefty sum. Where would you find that kind of cash? But with Vivian, you wouldn't have to worry about any of that." Coleen knew Vivian was eavesdropping and didn't bother to hide her scheming as she conversed with Juliana in the yard.

She had heard her daughter's reckless suggestion to match Vivian with Saul, creating a mess of things. On reflection, Coleen dismissed the idea as petty - not worth ruining two lives over. Besides, Vivian was no pushover, and Juliana's family was equally cunning. If they were to unite, they would surely conspire against her family.

Coleen wasn't about to invite trouble for her children.

Now, with Vivian trying to drag her daughter down and remain in Havenbrook like a bad seed, Coleen felt a chill.

To avoid complications, she recalled her son's morning advice, "Don't dirty your hands; drag her into hell."

It dawned on her; she could do as her son suggested - keep her hands clean and have someone else deal with Vivian.

And what better way than to use someone she equally despised to handle the unwanted pest.

By noon, recalling her daughter's angry words, Coleen hatched a plan.

And her instincts told her Vivian despised Juliana!

"Let them fight like dogs over a bone," she thought.

"Sis, give my words some thought. I'm going to head inside before the chill gets to me," Coleen said, preparing to rise.

Juliana pleaded, "Coleen, could you... return the house to me? We have no savings. If we can't go back, we'll have to return to our hometown." Coleen fell silent, her mind racing. Her daughter, impulsive as she was, would have simply sent thugs to trash Juliana's home.

She hadn't considered eviction, leaving them homeless and exposed to the elements.

Only her son, who never dirtied his hands, would think of something so cunning.

"Oh, that? It's out of my hands. If there's an investigation, let them investigate. I can't interfere. But... Vivian seems pretty well-off." After hanging up the phone, Coleen stood, facing Vivian, whose eyes were filled with malice.

Coleen smiled serenely, her presence overpowering, making Vivian seem insignificant as an ant beneath her gaze.

All of Vivian's dark thoughts couldn't escape Coleen's perception.

"Auntie, why are you doing this to me?"

Coleen slowly approached Vivian, facing the woman who loathed her. She chuckled lightly, "Why did you try to harm my daughter?"

It was a mother's instinct to protect her child.

Then, with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she said icily, "Vivian, don't think you can stay in my home forever just because the arson case remains unsolved. If you're smart, you'll serve your time, enjoy a few peaceful years behind bars. Otherwise, you're in for a world of hurt."

Her son, who never came home to avoid the drama, stayed in hotels. Vivian would cling to him at any opportunity, but he maintained a distance, never giving her a chance.

Vivian, recalling Coleen's description of the "daughter-in-law," asked, "You agreed to let Chad marry Molly? Their relationship is a sham!"

Coleen replied, "Sham or not, the affection is real."

As Coleen edged away from the conversation, she abruptly paused alongside Vivian, her gaze fixed firmly ahead, not sparing Vivian so much as a sidelong glance. "Listen up," she said with icy disdain, "in this world, there are chickens, there are peacocks, and then there are phoenixes. Know your place and scurry back to your coop where you belong."

With that biting remark, Coleen strutted off.

Vivian clenched her teeth so hard her jaw ached, her fists white-knuckled and tight as if she was ready to launch them at Coleen's retreating figure.

Her phone buzzed shortly after, snapping her from her vengeful reverie. It was Juliana on the line...

The suspicions hanging over Molly had been cleared, and Chad had taken her down to the precinct for a little chat, more a formality than anything else. "Bro, you mean I'm in the clear?" Jade asked, her voice vibrating with excitement.

Chad nodded, his expression unreadable.

Jade's excitement bubbled over as she asked, half-joking yet half-serious, "So, does that mean if I off her now, the cops won't suspect me?" Chad just stared at her, his face a mask of silence.