Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 847

In the company, everyone knew Lee was Vincent's right-hand man.

Leo shook his head, his tone firm and unfazed, "Already ate, not interested."

Lee's enthusiasm started to wane. He realized Leo wasn't as adept at handling social niceties as he'd thought, not even bothering with the usual respect towards a senior. "Oh, alright then. Just tidy up and get back to work," Lee casually remarked.

Leo shot back, "I've tidied up already. It's only your desk that's a mess. Haven't you noticed?"

With those words, the atmosphere in the office shifted dramatically.

Lee's face turned a deep shade of red, like tomato sauce. Leo used to be respectful, but now he seemed to be riding high on the manager's favor, acting untouchable.

Lee knew he couldn't afford to cross Leo right now, so he swallowed his pride in front of everyone. Sitting down, he took a few bites of his sandwich before tossing it in the trash. Leo, aware he'd upset Lee, also sat quietly.

Vincent woke up on the sofa, his daughter beside him.

"Dad, I don't know who brought you home last night, but he said you'd know," Vincent's daughter said.

Vincent sat up, "It was Leo."

"Oh, so his name is Leo. I asked him, but he wouldn't tell me."

Vincent rubbed his temples, a slight headache creeping in, and asked his daughter, "Hannah, what did you think of the young man who came over yesterday?"

Hannah blushed, "I... I don't even know him."

Vincent chuckled, letting the matter drop.

That afternoon, he headed to the office, where Lee immediately sought him out to complain. "Vincent, I think you should reconsider Leo. He's not as great as you think." Vincent asked, "What happened?"

"He doesn't respect his seniors. Since you've been favoring him, he's become arrogant, acting like he's untouchable. I offered him a sandwich this morning, and not only did he refuse, but he also criticized me in front of everyone. Vincent, maybe you should watch him a bit longer."

Vincent reassured his upset subordinate with a smile, "Why stoop to his level? He's in his twenties, and you're in your thirties. His background explains his demeanor. Try to get along with him. A wise person can accommodate all sorts of behavior without getting ruffled." Lee got the message-Vincent wanted him to bear the brunt and protect Leo.

"Vincent, I know you might not want to hear this, but if he's showing his true colors to me now, what if he does the same to you later?"

Vincent clearly didn't want to entertain that thought, "Just leave it."

Lee nodded, his parting words intended to sow a seed of doubt in Vincent, hoping to make Leo's life difficult for the earlier public embarrassment.

Leo was aware of these behind-the-scenes office politics. But he had deliberately ruffled feathers that morning to make Vincent's confidant uncomfortable, tarnishing his own image to force Vincent to reassess him.

Yet, Leo was puzzled-why was Vincent seeking him out?

Was it because Jade and Mia visited him that day, and Vincent saw them, blowing his cover?

But that didn't add up. They were dressed normally, without any odd behavior; besides being attractive, they seemed ordinary. How could Vincent have picked up on anything unusual?

Little Henry, subject to his brother's playful jabs, sat in his stroller, kicking his chubby legs, gripping his water bottle. Because of the sun, his mother had removed the stroller's sunshade.

Mia, wearing a straw sun hat and a black sun-protective outfit, sat by the roadside, fanning herself and her son with a small hand fan while enjoying an ice cream. "Why did I come out in this heat?" she mused aloud.

The sunlight made Henry's skin look even more tender, tempting Mia to nibble on his chubby legs, thinking they looked tastier than chicken drumsticks.

Henry turned to look around, "Mommy~"

"Yes, dear?" Mia replied.

Henry eyed the ice cream in Mia's hand. She offered it to him, and he eagerly took a lick, then contentedly pursed his lips and giggled with satisfaction. Mia laughed along, "Do you love mommy?"

Henry nodded vigorously with an enthusiastic "Mhm!"

Mia, delighted, leaned over into the stroller to shower her son with kisses on his face and forehead.

Expecting more ice cream, Henry opened his mouth wide, only to receive kisses instead, looking a bit disappointed.

Still, he wrapped his grubby little hands around his mother's neck, pulling her hair, trying to nibble on her face with his little might.

Henry had always been assertive.

Mia's ice cream began to melt. She quickly freed herself from her son's grip to take another bite, her gaze wandering off.

Tired of fanning, she noticed a small accessory store nearby and decided to wheel her plump little boy inside to buy a handheld fan. Both mother and son were thrilled with the purchase. The fan's grilles were small enough to keep Henry's fingers safe, putting Mia's mind at ease. She switched it on, relieved by its safe design.

After paying, Mia pushed her son along the street, Henry eagerly chewing on the fan.

Feeling the breeze, Henry cooed happily into the fan.

Returning to their shaded spot, Mia glanced at a car's license plate and called Molly, "Your cousin's been busy entertaining for over two hours, hasn't come out since he went in."

Molly asked with concern, "And you, Mia?"

"We're just outside playing."

She had filled her son's stroller basket with snacks: chips, spicy strips, popping candy, and jellies.

Hearing car horns in the background, Molly frowned, "You're on the street?"

"Just playing with my son," Mia responded.

Molly was due for work in the afternoon, and she immediately rose to her feet, racing upstairs to her mother's office desk. "Coleen, the car keys."

Coleen, bemused, asked, "Did you ride a tornado here?"

Spotting the car keys on the desk, Molly grabbed them and ran off again.

Coleen was left wondering what caprice had seized her daughter this time.

Molly got Mia's location and drove straight there. From a distance, she could see Mia and her son sitting under a large roadside tree. Henry seemed tired, and Mia was cradling her son in one arm while using the other to fan him with a small electric fan, rhythmically patting her son's shoulder. Her gaze occasionally shifted forward, watching for something or someone.