Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 696

Hansen glanced at his daughter Molly, who was looking up at Chad's profile, "Since when did you become friends with that old timer behind my back?" His wife's concerns always revolved around his social circle. "Just an old man who filed a report. Felt pretty bad for him. Got swindled out of his money and came to me for help. Cherry picking season is here, fancy a trip?"

"Did he get his money back, though?"

Chad nodded, wrapping his arm around Molly, looking down at her. He was close enough to kiss her but restrained himself in front of the Cedillo family, "When I'm on it, you bet it'll be sorted."

Molly smiled, "Then I'm in." It'd be awkward to go cherry picking on their dime if the money wasn't retrieved.

Anya, too, was interested but directed her words at Leo, "Chad, I want some fresh cherries."

"Aren't the ones you buy fresh enough?"

"Those are picked by others, not fresh. I want to pluck them straight from the tree and pop them in my mouth right there."

Leo, ever so cheeky, "Why don't you just hug the tree and nibble on it? Skip the middleman, that'll be fresher."

Anya, upset, stood up, abandoning her spot next to Leo and sat next to Mia instead.

Naomi, fuming, pointed at her son, "If Anya was my daughter, you'd never be good enough to be my son-in-law."

Leo sheepishly scratched his nose.

Soon after, Chad got up to leave, "Dad, I'll come by to pick you and Molly up tomorrow."

Having had a nap there, he was re-energized.

Molly asked, "Where are you off to? Dinner's almost ready."

Hansen's curious eyes darted between his daughter and son-in-law, wondering if they had made up. Was his daughter keeping her husband around?

The living room fell into a brief silence, everyone momentarily forgetting to react.

Then, catching a glance from Molly, her sister-in-arms knew despite their quarrels, it was time to back each other up.

Mia quickly stood up, smoothing things over, "Chad, why don't you stay? We're heading out together tomorrow anyway." She handed her child to Chad, "Henry, go to your uncle. He's not leaving tonight; you're sleeping with your aunt and uncle tonight." "No way, I'm a sleep champion, and your son's a night owl. If I sleep, your son's up, leaving me to care for him all night." Molly couldn't be more straightforward.

Mia teased, "Consider it practice for daddy duty."

After exchanging looks again, they decided to hold back any snide remarks, given the earlier plea for warmth.

Chad, looking at his wife on the couch, broke into a smile, reassuring the little one in his arms, "No worries, your uncle had a good rest today. I'll keep Henry company tonight."

Molly muttered under her breath, aware of Henry's potential to exhaust Chad, "Ignorance is bliss. You have no idea what you're in for."

Later, as Mia dragged Molly out for a chat, she teased, "What's going on? Just because Chad's taking you to the orchard, you suddenly let him off the hook?"

Molly revealed her reasoning, "It's not that, Mia. If I didn't keep Chad tonight, he'd be pulling a night shift at the station. He barely comes home when I'm not around." Concerned for Chad's health, she had no choice but to keep him home.

Mia laughed, "And here I thought you realized you love Chad."

"That doesn't need realizing."

"So, what was with all the cold shoulder you've been giving Chad?"

Molly countered with a question, "Haven't you noticed how free I've been living without a man this past week?"

Mia was speechless.

"Mia, personal experience is the best teacher, and I don't share it lightly." Molly was righteous in her speech. "Coming back was about setting boundaries. Chad wanted everything from me, and I felt oppressed. It's about showing him I won't be pushed around. Otherwise, what's next? Being pressured into saying 'I love you,' then what, having his kids?

Men's ambitions are limitless. They want commitment, assurance, and if they can bully their way into love, what's stopping them from dictating everything else?

Mia, you got to stand your ground. Since I've been back, Chad's been all polite, even trying to cuddle but got a slap for it."

Mia, deep in thought, listened carefully, "You pushed back, then what?"

"There was no 'then.' I told him to sleep, and he slept."

Mia, intrigued by Molly's strategy, pondered her own situation as they returned for dinner. Andre, carrying their chubby son, greeted them, "Dinner's ready." The sisters shared a knowing look, "The secret's yours now; use it wisely."

Mia approached her husband, taking their child, glancing at Andre, who remained silent.

Back inside, Leo was at it again, teasing Anya.

"Upset? What's there to be upset about? I'll take you cherry picking tomorrow, okay?"

"Chad, you're not gentle at all."

"Who needs a gentle man? That just sounds soft."

Anya, even more frustrated, "I'm not talking to you anymore."

As they were getting ready to leave, Leo grabbed Anya's wrist, pulling her closer, "So tell me, what makes a man gentle?"

Chad watched from the side, chuckling to himself. Soon, Molly sidled up to him, "Chad, I missed the drama with Leo. What happened?"

Officer Chad summed it up with a smirk, "Leo tried to sweet-talk Anya, but ended up making her even madder."