Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 555

Andre cradled his son in one arm as he stooped to pick up an envelope, making his way to his wife. With a playful grin, he handed over the envelope to his petite wife, Mia. Mia accepted it and casually placed it on the coffee table, her attention focused on comforting Hansen, who was still fuming.

"I'll never have eyes for another woman as long as I live. In life, it's her and her alone, and the same goes when I'm six feet under," Hansen ranted.

Mia nodded in agreement, patting Hansen on the back to soothe his temper, "Dad, Mom knows how devoted you are to her, and we do too, even without you saying a word."

Naomi handed a glass of water to her father-in-law, "Dad, take a sip; it'll help you cool down."

Hansen refused the water, turning to his sons with a stern finger, "Bruce and Andre, you two better be as devoted to Naomi and Mia as I am to your mother. I won't tolerate any of that disgusting, immoral behavior!" Bruce and Andre didn't need their father's reminders; loyalty was a given in their hearts.

"And don't forget that, Leo," Hansen added.

Leo, tossing his own envelope onto the coffee table, assured, "Grandpa, Jade must've been just pulling your leg." Hansen's grip on the list of wedding gifts had crumpled it during his earlier fit of rage, sparked by his daughter's antics.

As Hansen's anger subsided, a parade of cars from the Byrne family arrived at the Cedillo residence with wedding gifts...

Meanwhile, Molly was dragged back to her family home by the Byrnes and Chad. During the ride, Mr. and Mrs. Byrne inquired, "What on earth did you do to make your father so angry?"

Molly played innocent, "I simply suggested Dad enroll in a senior's college, you know, for card games, dancing..."

Mr. and Mrs. Byrne exchanged a glance, speechless.

Chad drove with a smirk, glancing every now and then at the girl in the rearview mirror. The angrier Hansen got today, the more delighted he was.

He chose not to scold Molly this time, his lips curving up all the way home.

Upon returning to the Byrne residence, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer curiously asked their granddaughter, "What happened today that brought you back so suddenly?"

Coleen pointed at her daughter, "She got kicked out by the Cedillos."

Molly pouted, keeping silent.

That afternoon, the Cedillo living room saw a steady stream of strangers.

Some wore white gloves, holding precious jade artifacts and sparkling jewelry.

Others carried safes, opening them on the spot for the Cedillos to inspect the treasures within.

The Byrnes had not skimped on the wedding gifts, filling the Cedillos' living room to the brim.

Hansen stood, his eyes fixated on the bounty that filled the room.

Leo and Mia leaned over the living room railing, one on the step below, the other above. "Damn, Leo, did you notice? The Byrnes are quietly loaded! Look at the dowry for your aunt; they're digging deep for this one." Leo's curiosity peaked, "How much did Uncle give you for a dowry?"

Andre, cradling his baby in the living room, overheard his nephew, glancing down at his son who was finally dozing off. He stayed silent.

Mia shook her head, "I never saw it. Uncle didn't even show up then."

Back at the Byrne residence, in Molly's bedroom.

Jade was hugging her phone, watching a live stream sent by her friends at the Cedillo home, showcasing a room full of gifts - all part of her dowry.

"Did my dad accept it?"

Mia replied, "He did."

Molly felt a knot in her stomach. She knew what her father accepting the dowry meant.

Tossing her phone aside, Molly flopped onto her bed in despair, "Ah, the heavens have forsaken me!"

Chad pushed open the door, smiling at the sight of Molly sprawled on the bed, and stepped inside.

"Molly, you should join me in thanking Mia someday."

Molly suddenly remembered, her father accepting the dowry must have been influenced by her sister's persuasive words!

"It's over, Mia's in trouble again."

Back at the Cedillo residence.

Annoyed by the sight of the dowry, Hansen retreated to his bedroom. Mia, holding her sleeping son, was whisked away by her husband to their room. "Mia, this is your doing, isn't it?"

Mia bit her lip, playing dumb, "I have no idea what you're talking about-"

Even a level-headed Andre couldn't resist the influence of a mischievous little wife whispering in his father's ear.

He'd plead with his dad to stay calm, while she'd encourage his impulsiveness.

Seizing the moment, she had helped Mia and Chad navigate through a tough spot.

"You still haven't learned your lesson from last time. You've just recovered enough to get out of bed, and now you're causing trouble again! Dad accepting the dowry is partly your fault."

Holding her chubby, sleeping son, Mia clenched her teeth, stubborn as ever, "Honey, I don't understand."

Andre frowned, his expression stern and commanding, reminiscent of times when he would scold his young wife, "Stop pretending. I was against Dad accepting that dowry, so why did you provoke him? You're just being reckless, knowing I can't stay mad at you!" Before becoming a mother, Mia was exuberant to a fault, like a child who never grew up. But since having a child, she had noticeably softened.

Andre realized that his wife was his equal, not someone inferior or childlike, despite their age difference.

Before, he would chastise her for things he disapproved of, but now, he rarely intervened in her affairs, recognizing that he couldn't always hold her to his own standards.

And lately, he had felt firsthand how motherhood had changed Mia: she was more gentle, more patient, and more exhausted.

Of course, the energy of little Mia was thoroughly drained by her husband and son. During the day, while the baby cried and he was at work, it was Mia who cared for their child at home.

At night, he had his needs... He usually wouldn't hit the hay until well past midnight.

He was working on himself, trying to be more patient with his son and more than just doting on his wife. But still, when he and his wife clashed, he couldn't help but chastise her, "You think Molly's future is something to be decided in a snap by her old man on a whim? You're a mother now, and yet you're acting so childish."

No one takes kindly to a scolding, and Mia's smile slowly faded from her face. "Andre, get your facts straight. It was your dad who called up the Byrnes to come pick up Molly. He was willing to forgo the dowry just to see her off to their family! Sure, I admit I may have provoked him today, but do you really think a man in his fifties can be manipulated by a twenty-something like me?

I'm the childish one, but you're the mature one, right? If you're so capable, then fine. From now on, I won't meddle in family affairs. I'll just take care of my son and myself, and you can worry about the rest."

With those words, Mia, clutching her sleeping bundle of a son, stormed out of the bedroom, leaving a flustered Andre behind.

There he was, a titan of the business world, a man who commanded respect from everyone, but no one dared to ruffle his feathers except for his spitfire of a young wife.

Realizing Mia was upset and had left in a huff, Andre's tone softened as he called out to her retreating figure, "Where are you going?"