Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 549

Nick's threat worked like a charm. At the afternoon reunion, no guy dared come near her, let alone make a move. Instead, it was the girls who buzzed around Anya, peppering her with questions about her relationship with Nick.

Anya kept mum. She wouldn't spill a single detail about Nick-his love life, his family, his personality. When someone tried to get Nick's contact info through her, Anya gently but firmly put her foot down, though her tone was soft and far from aggressive. "Don't even think

about chasing Nick. You can't compete with me."

She had her sights set on Nick, too, so there was no way she'd leave an opening for anyone else.

Soon, it became common knowledge among her classmates that Anya was tight with the Cedillo family. There were whispers that she might even become the future Mrs. Cedillo.

After one gathering, while the others waited for their rides, Nick's car was already there, right on time at the hotel entrance.

"Hop in," he said.

Anya pouted, her eyes twinkling like a galaxy as she looked at her Mustang. "Nick"

Nick, momentarily flustered by her charm, did something he'd never done before he got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Anya. He held her hand, helped her into the seat, then shut the door for her. In a daze, Anya found herself sitting in the passenger seat.

She was the first one picked up. After saying goodbye to her classmates, Nick hit the gas and they were off.

When Nick tried to leave a second time, Anya insisted they go buy gifts for every member of the Cedillo family. "My parents prepared their gifts with love, and I want to give mine with the same sentiment."

So, Nick stayed.

The third time he was about to leave, Anya said, "Nick, my mom's hosting a party, and there's this aunt who keeps trying to convince her to marry me off to her son."

Nick got anxious. "Anya, between all your suitors and marriage proposals, just how many bad love interests do you have at home?"

Anya, adorably clueless, analyzed, "Well, because of the Calder Corporation's reputation, many people have ulterior motives with me. They want to climb the social ladder through my parents. And since I'm an only child, the corporation will eventually be mine. So everyone's chasing me, wanting to marry me. Marry me, and they get both a beauty and a business."

Nick looked at her with mixed emotions. His Anya might act naive, but she was indeed smart. She might not talk about it, but she knew all the impure intentions of the adults around her.

Nick returned to the car, pulled out a notebook and pen, and handed a sheet of paper to Anya. "I want you to make a list of all the guys who are after you."

"What are you going to do with it, Nick?"

"Just write it down, don't worry about the rest."

Anya sulked but complied.

Squatting on the living room rug, she took the pen and began to write earnestly. Nick sat beside her, never once relaxing his brow.

Mrs. Calder observed them from afar, arms crossed, a slight smile playing on her lips.

For afternoon tea, it was Nick who drove them.

This time, he smartly avoided any threatening comments. Instead, he simply introduced himself to the others. Afterward, he instructed Anya, "Call me when you're done, and I'll pick you and your aunt up." Anya obediently nodded.

Once Nick left, the gossip started. Everyone knew of the good relations between the Gordon and Cedillo families, and a union between them seemed possible.

Mrs. Calder knew all about those eyeing her daughter for marriage and took the opportunity to mention, "Anya's off studying in Havenbrook, and we're not around. The Cedillos have been kind enough to look after her." With that statement, the crowd's thoughts diverged.

Moreover, it wasn't often that someone of the Cedillo's status would personally drive someone from the Gordon family. Yet Nick Cedillo was the one doing the driving.

And from the way he interacted with Anya, it sounded almost like he was her boyfriend. Could it be that Anya and Nick were already a couple?

Everyone speculated, but none were certain.

What convinced them was Anya's blunt statement, "Mom, Nick said if anyone dares to chase me, their family's company will go bankrupt." After that, nobody dared broach the subject of having Anya as their daughter-in-law with Mrs. Calder.

After all, no one wanted to compete with the Cedillos for someone's hand.

On the drive back, Anya was giddy. "Nick, today was the first day nobody tried to set me up with their son."

Mrs. Calder asked, "Nick, when did you ever say that chasing Anya would bankrupt a company?"

Nick was unapologetic and candid. "I said it the day of Anya's class reunion."

Mrs. Calder raised an eyebrow, smiled, then nodded. She said no more.

Nick's visit to Anya's hometown ended with him clearing all unwanted suitors, then he left, content.

...

These matters couldn't be explained to the Cedillo family, and even Nick felt that his relationship with Anya was somewhat murky.

The contents of his car's trunk were brought into the living room, gifts for the little ones included.

"Henry's gift must be from Anya," Mia asserted.

Nick nodded, Anya was always so thoughtful with the baby.

Molly teased Nick, "If Anya ever becomes a mom, she'll definitely be more reliable than Mia and me."

Nick remained silent.

In the evening, everyone returned to their bedrooms.

The little one held no grudge. After being fussed over by his parents in the afternoon, he was all smiles by nightfall.

Mia pouted and showered her baby boy with kisses. She adored her chubby little bundle of joy.

Andy also enjoyed it, but if the little guy's refusal to sleep interfered with his long night of solitude, Andy was not so fond of him anymore.

Just this afternoon, his wife had hinted that he might be a "doting dad," but by nightfall, he toughened up and sent his sleepless son to stay elsewhere. Mia: "..."

Molly couldn't sleep, so she spent the night chatting with Chad.

Leo had just gotten home when Anya took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him.

No one was emotionally alone.

Although Hansen's longtime partner had passed away, he wasn't lonely either.

After all, he had a little human cub snuggled in his bed.

When his buddy called to catch up, Hansen fired up a video call to show Harry Rayner the little darling of the house.

Rebecca was head over heels for the little one, having previously wanted Mia to come over for a visit. Now, she was eager to have Mia bring the child over for some playtime.

The next day, Jade was off to who-knows-where again.

Back at Andy's, his young wife was indulging in a lazy morning in bed.

Leo was once again on the receiving end of his mom's disapproval.

By afternoon, a call from Jade had the trio gathering once more, this time with a little milk dumpling in tow.

Vivian faced a few people blocking her path, her fists clenched and her eyes filled with wariness. "Molly, what are you planning to do?!"

Molly's face was lit up with a mischievous grin. "What do you think?"