Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 588

Before Chad, her brain would just check out. But when it came to protecting him, she was suddenly a genius. Leo watched the soft, meek girl before him, his very own Anya, and couldn't help but think she was a delight. But why did they say he, the "hacker," had a crush on her?

Did he?

No way, that was just Anya's wild imagination.

Yet, Leo couldn't shake the thought from his mind: a crush.

Uncle Andre, ever the stoic guardian, paused before saying, "Let me know how it goes. And thank Anya's friend for me." "Got it, Uncle."

After dinner, Andre took his son for a walk, while Bruce joined to chat about work.

Out of the blue, the conversation shifted.

"Andre, let me hold Henry for a bit. You carry him every day; it must be tiring," Bruce said, letting his true feelings slip.

Andre looked down at the little bundle snuggled in his arms, as clingy as his mother, a real little kitten. "Big bro, you've had a long day at work too. He's not exactly light. I'll keep holding him." Bruce insisted, "You're tired from work too. Let's take turns."

And just like that, the sweet-smelling baby was whisked away by his doting uncle.

Bruce held him close, the wrinkles by his eyes deepening with his smile, "Our little treasure is so sweet, so adorable. Uncle loves him to bits."

Meanwhile, Mia and Naomi were video chatting with Molly about her wedding plans.

"Wedding photoshoot tomorrow?" Mia asked, clearly inexperienced with such things.

Over at the Byrne household, Chad came out with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, "Molly, eat less, stay slim, look good on camera," Officer Chad pleaded earnestly. Lounging on the couch, Molly was resolute, "Not eating."

She then turned to Mia, "Yeah, we've got several themes for the shoot."

Turning back to Chad, she said, "Bro, don't even try feeding me."

Curious, Mia asked, "What's up, giving up on food?"

"After seeing the wedding photos from yesterday, my face looked puffy, my arms too flabby," Molly complained. "I need to slim down."

Mia agreed, "It's true, you only take wedding photos once. Gotta look your best."

Before long, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer joined in, concerned about their granddaughter's sudden diet-nothing but sips of water and the occasional nibble of vegetables.

"How will you survive eating so little?" Grandma Aubree remarked.

After the call, Molly saw Chad still trying to coax her into eating with utensils in hand.

"You gotta eat at least three bites; it won't make you fat," he coaxed.

"Not eating," Molly said, pursing her lips.

Coleen had just finished preparing invitations when she came downstairs to find her daughter refusing to eat again. "Molly, if you want to be an ascetic, go to a monastery. At home, you should eat properly." Molly was undeterred by her mother's scolding. Her eyes, bright and defiant, met Chad's as she shook her head.

In Chad's eyes, she was always the most beautiful, even now with her messy hair and stubborn pout.

Coleen was about to lecture her further when Kendrick quietly pulled his wife aside and reminded her, "Who was it that starved themselves seven pounds lighter just for wedding photos? You went through the same thing." Coleen remembered her own past, "...but that's why I'm worried. I don't want her making my same mistakes. It's not simple, taking wedding photos. She might faint from low blood sugar."

Kendrick teased, "Making excuses, just like your daughter."

Coleen was at a loss for words.

Eventually, the whole family gave up trying to manage Molly's diet, leaving it all to Chad.

The dumplings in Chad's bowl cooled as he purposefully ate in front of Molly, making audible chewing sounds.

He knew she couldn't resist; she loved those ASMR eating videos.

Sure enough, Molly sat up from the couch, eyeing Chad's meal as she sipped on her water bottle.

"I'm going to my room."

But Chad followed her there.

Molly puffed her cheeks in frustration, "What's the point?"

"Just three dumplings?" Chad bargained.

Molly swallowed hard, "Don't try to tempt me."

Sitting beside her, Chad offered the bowl, "I made these, try some."

He held the bowl just under her nose.

The scent was irresistible, and Molly knew Chad was her biggest obstacle on the path to dieting.

"Fine, just one."

With that, she took a bite directly from Chad's chopsticks.

It was delicious, especially after starving for two days.

Chad grinned with satisfaction, "Have some broth, no scallions or oil, it's light and filling, won't make you fat. Try one more, the last one." Molly couldn't resist.

"One more sip..."

...

Before bed, Molly was filled with regret. Staring at the empty bowl, she wanted to bite Chad for his trickery.

To make amends, late at night, Chad drove her out to buy some digestive aids.

Coleen couldn't bear to watch.

The next morning, Molly woke up and started exercising to lose weight.

Chad, seeing her regret the night before, wanted to achieve his goal of making her eat but also wanted her to be happy.

So, at breakfast, while everyone else enjoyed soy milk and pastries, Molly and Chad faced plates of steamed veggies and a glass of milk.

Molly was confused.

Coleen explained, "Eat up, your brother cooked this for you. He didn't want you to eat alone, so he made the same for himself to keep you company."

That morning, the Byrne family living room echoed with Jade's loud shout, "Bro, Chad, I always knew you loved me the most!" Her voice carried all the way to the yard outside.

Over at the Cedillo household, when it was time for breakfast, Leo wouldn't wake up, and Anya was also dragging herself out of bed.

Naomi was puzzled for a moment, "I get Leo being lazy, but why is our Anya still sleepy? She's not sick, is she? I better go check on her."

Naomi tiptoed past her son's bedroom, making her way to Anya's door where she rapped gently, "Anya, honey? Are you awake? Can Auntie come in?"

Just then, the door to Leo's room creaked open.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Anya peered out, "Auntie, I'm here."

Not only was Naomi taken aback, but Mia too stood, mouth agape in surprise, "Why on earth are you coming out of Leo's room looking like you've just rolled out of bed?"

Trying to stifle a yawn with her hand, Anya spoke through a fog of sleepiness, "Last night, I was keeping Chad company playing video games, and I guess I crashed."

Naomi, fuming and half-tempted to grab a broom to chase her son around with, stormed into the room, demanding, "And where is Leo?"