Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 719

John's refusal to attend to the baby left Mia with no choice but to cradle the little bundle herself, gently tapping Henry's back and soothing him, "Don't cry, Henry, mommy's right here."

The cheerful atmosphere in the dining room dissipated instantly as Hansen's face turned serious. Anya broke through the pretense of merriment, exposing Leo's true feelings.

The living room fell silent, with Henry gradually calming down in his mother's embrace. All eyes were on Leo, waiting for his response.

Anya, squeezing Leo's hand, urged, "Chad, just say something."

Leo couldn't bring himself to meet his uncle's gaze. At this moment, Andre was glaring at him with an icy stare.

"Speak up!" Andre's thunderous command, accompanied by a forceful slap on the table, made the utensils rattle. The recently pacified Henry was startled into crying again, his wails echoing through the dining room. Seeing Andre struggle to contain his fury sent a shiver down everyone's spine, leaving them speechless.

Mia hurriedly soothed the crying baby, holding Henry tightly to give him a sense of security.

"I don't like business. I love computer science, and I want to work in cybersecurity. I'm considering switching fields for my postgraduate studies. I don't want to take over the family business," Leo said, holding Anya's hand. For the first time, he bravely met his uncle's gaze, revealing his true desires in front of the entire family.

Hansen's face remained stern. "What have you been doing all this time?"

Facing Andre, Leo apologized, "Uncle, I'm sorry."

Naomi's eyes also reddened. "Leo, if you disliked this job, why didn't you say so earlier? That internet stuff, it's all virtual, not real."

Leo found himself unable to explain this to his family. "Uncle, I'll still do my best in my current job."

Andre retorted, "I don't need an employee like you."

Mia thought her husband had quickly agreed to let Leo pursue his career when Andre pointed at Leo and declared, "I don't need a nephew like you either!" Anya pouted, "Uncle, Chad didn't..."

"Let him speak to me," Andre cut Anya off sharply.

Anya, frightened, pursed her lips, daring not to retaliate. She suddenly understood why Chad had always been afraid to oppose his uncle. It was truly terrifying.

Mia quickly freed one hand to grasp her husband's arm. "Dear, please calm down. I think we should listen..."

Andre brushed off his wife's hand, casting a stern glance at her without saying a word.

Mia was also frightened by her husband's look.

Seeing Anya being scolded, Leo's anger surged. "Uncle, you're still young. You have your son. In the future, it should be your son who inherits, not me. Cedillo Inc. was always yours. I don't enjoy business, investing, reviewing projects, attending meetings, the endless roundabout tasks, and never-ending contracts. I truly dislike it." Andre looked at his nephew, who dared to confront him directly for the first time, even if it was out of fear.

"I want to work in cybersecurity. Ever since you first taught me how to use a computer, I've loved it. When I was fifteen and your company's documents went missing, I wanted to help you replace them. I searched all night but to no avail. Later, you said they were stolen by hackers. That was the first time I desperately wanted to help you. But when I finally had the skills to assist you, you were determined to have me follow the path you laid out, thinking the path I chose was too difficult and not acknowledging it. Why can't you just believe in my abilities?"

Andre pointed towards the door. "Believe in your abilities? If you're so capable, then leave. From this moment on, don't rely on any resources provided by the family. Go and do what you want to do. I want to see what you can become!"

Anya stood up; her intention was to let the family understand Chad's true feelings, not to drive him away. "Uncle, please don't make Chad leave. It was me who spoke out..."

"Fine." Leo agreed without hesitation.

What was once a lively atmosphere had now turned ice-cold.

Leo let go of Anya's wrist, truly preparing to leave.

Molly and Chad immediately went over to stop Leo. Chad said, "You mentioned cybersecurity, Uncle understands a bit about it. Just calm down. If you really like it, we can try to switch fields."

Molly also added, "Yeah, Leo, don't be rash."

Andre stood up. "Everyone, move. Let him go. Without the title of a Cedillo, let's see what he can do."

Mia, holding the baby with one arm, stood up, blocking her husband's path, her free hand grasping her husband's, "Dear, hold the baby, and let's just calm down."

Leo, however, chose a different direction and turned to leave.

"Leo!" His father finally spoke up.

Leo paused for a moment, then continued to stride away from the home.

"Chad-" Anya's cry was filled with despair. She ran after Leo.

Without a word, Mia handed the crying baby to her husband and also chased after Leo.

Reaching the front yard, Leo started his car and drove away.

Anya, running behind and crying out for Leo, "Chad, wait for me."

No matter how hard Anya tried, she couldn't catch up to Leo's car. As he drove past the Cedillo family's gate, Leo saw Anya still chasing him through the rearview mirror. Wiping the moisture from his eyes, his resolve softened, and he hit the brakes. When he stepped out of the car, Anya, now a tearful mess, threw herself into his arms. "Chad, don't leave, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen, I just... I don't want you to do things you don't like."

Anya regretted her impulsiveness in revealing everything at the dinner table, resulting in Chad being driven away and everyone in the family being heartbroken. She blamed herself as the root cause. "Chad, I didn't mean to say it, but seeing you pretending to be happy when you were clearly suffering, it hurt me. I don't want you to fake happiness; I want you to be truly happy. I'm sorry, Chad, I..." Leo lifted her chin and without another word, kissed her.

Anya's remaining words were left unsaid as she stood there, stunned, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief, feeling the warmth of his lips. "Chad kissed me."

Mia and Molly had just hurried outside, intent on catching up to Anya, when Mia, a step ahead, caught sight of two figures embracing and kissing under the moonlight. She immediately stopped in her tracks, also managing to pull back Molly who was about to rush forward and disrupt the couple. The sisters, one after the other, hid by the front door, peeking out secretly at the pair locked in a kiss.

The tears on Anya's face were softly met by Leo's lips. It was his first kiss, and he had never imagined it would be under such circumstances. Gently releasing her, he faced Anya, her eyes wet with tears of vulnerability, whispering, "Chad-"