Molly was downright spineless in front of Andre.

After hanging up the phone, Chad couldn't help but tease her. "How come you're not all fire and brimstone with Andre like you are with everyone else?"

things."

Molly had just been ordered by Andre to be home within half an hour. She glared at Chad, who was clearly enjoying her predicament, and retorted with a hint of mischief, "What's so funny? Andre just told me over the phone to steer clear of you, and not to marry you, of all Chad's smile faltered, then slowly faded away.

"I heard Mom's been talking about you stepping up to take over Chade Inc.," Chad said, pretending to be clueless.

Molly leaned against Chad's desk, looking annoyed. "That's why I think I can't marry you. If we tie the knot, my taking over the company becomes even more justified.

But if we don't get hitched, I'm still Daddy's little girl, right? If I take over Chade Inc., some shareholders are bound to kick up a fuss. If anyone gives me a hard time, I can just slack off for a few more years.

But if I become your wife, then I'm Mom's daughter-in-law, and if she hands me the company, even the naysayers wouldn't dare to object." Coleen had gone through major surgery and needed regular chemotherapy, leaving her unable to handle the stress of work. Passing the company to her "daughter-in-law" was the natural order of things, and nobody would dare oppose it.

Molly's mind was racing, and she concluded that it was best not to get married yet and to play hooky a little longer.

Chad chuckled, "Yet, I think marriage might just buy you more time."

Molly frowned, "What do you mean?"

Chad launched into his explanation, "Do you think just because Mom wants you to inherit the company, you can escape her machinations if you're not married to me?"

Molly pondered for a moment; her mother was indeed a force to be reckoned with. Whatever she set her mind to, she achieved. Molly was just a small fry; she couldn't outwit her mom.

Before Molly could respond, Chad went on, "You think getting hitched is as simple as saying 'I do' and going through a ceremony? Let me break it down for you."

Chad pulled out a sheet of A4 paper from the printer and grabbed a pen from the desk, scribbling something on it.

Molly, curious, sidled up to Chad. She tilted her head, trying to figure out what kind of calculation he was making for her.

"Planning a wedding means picking dates, choosing a dress, buying rings, booking venues, renting equipment... all this stuff together, you think you can wrap it up in a month?" Molly honestly replied, "Never been married, wouldn't know."

Chad wrote down, "Figure at least a week for the wedding photoshoot. Wait another two months for the finished album. Then there's buying a house and a car, picking bridesmaids and groomsmen, setting the banquet, printing the invites, finding a planner... That's another month.

All in all, you're looking at at least four months of busyness if you decide to get married. You're in your junior year of college, about to start the second semester, and with your courses all but done, you've got spare time.

During this period, Mom will surely want you to get familiar with the company's operations, am I right?"

Molly nodded in agreement, "Right!"

Chad was pleased, his plan taking root.

"But, if you're swamped with wedding prep for the next six months, do you really think Mom is going to pull you into the company to work? I'm a cop; I can't help you out all the time, so you'll have to handle everything personally." Molly mulled over his words.

Chad continued his persuasive argument, "By the time you're a senior, we'll be married, and then you'll need to go on a honeymoon, right? After that, you'll have your thesis to write. Once you're done with your defense, you'll have graduated, then there's the grad trip. After that's all done, you might even be thinking about having kids, and that's a year out of the picture..."

"Hold on, hold on, what's this about having kids?" Molly was getting more incredulous, "Chad, I may not be the smartest cookie, but I'm not dumb. Don't try to pull one over on me."

Chad kept a straight face, "Your goal is to avoid taking over the company for the next couple of years, right?"

Molly nodded, "Yeah."

Chad, "Do you think what I've just laid out could help you extend your playtime?"

Molly was silent; wedding prep would indeed keep a bride-to-be busy. An unfinished education would keep a student busy. Pregnancy and childbirth would tie down an expecting mother.

It seemed, his idea might actually work.

Molly's internal scales tipped in Chad's favor. She blinked, pondering her next move.

If Chad had a fox's tail, it would be wagging triumphantly by now. "Molly, are you afraid of your dear old Cedillo family Andre?"

Molly nodded vigorously, without hesitation!

Wasn't it obvious how much she feared him?

Chad grinned, "Once we're married, the only person who can tell you what to do will be me."

Molly was speechless.

"Look at Mia, after she got married, does her family boss her around? It's her husband who does. Everyone knows I dote on you. After we're married, won't we both have a say? I'll be the one cleaning up your messes, never yelling or berating you, but instead spoiling you. I'll earn the dough, and you'll spend it. After we're married, you can buy whatever you want-bags, clothes, swipe the card for hundreds of thousands, and no one will bat an eyelid..."

"So when are you going to come over and propose officially?"

Molly looked into Chad's eyes, falling headlong into the pit he'd so artfully disguised for her.

Chad's sly smile hinted at victory, "Day after tomorrow."

Before she knew it, half an hour had passed, and the punctual Andre was on the phone again. "You home yet?"

Suddenly remembering Andre's words, Molly was taken aback, "Almost, almost there." Her voice was laced with guilt.

After a few seconds of silence, Andre asked directly, "Where are you? I'll come get you."

"I just, just, just got to Chad's office door."

Andre was silent.

She hadn't moved an inch in the last half hour!

"Andre, don't be mad, I'll run, sprint back right now."

Without waiting for a rebuke, Molly hung up the phone with a mix of cowardice and boldness. Out of earshot, out of fear.

Before dashing off, she didn't forget to remind Chad, "Remember, come early, okay?"

With that, she was off and running.

In the Cedillo living room, only Mia was keeping company with her son as she coaxed him in her sweet, motherly tone, "Come on, buddy, lift that little head of yours. Give your neck a chance to grow strong."

Dressed in a cheerful onesie, the little cherub stubbornly lay sprawled on the couch, showing no interest in sitting up.

Molly burst through the door, panting and out of breath. Without a second's hesitation, she collapsed onto the sofa, exclaiming, "Made it back in 28 minutes!"

Curious at the sight of his aunt flopping down with such fatigue that she couldn't rise again, the little guy lifted his head, his eyes fixed on Molly.

"Mia, I need water," Molly managed to gasp out.

But Mia's gaze was locked onto her son's lifted head, a tiny victory not to be missed.

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