Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 726

"Haven't heard from him yet?"

Bruce nodded. "Andre, you've got more connections than I do and your investigations are thorough. Tell me, how's Leo's interest in cybersecurity going?"

Andre had been quietly gathering information for days. "I ran the numbers. Out of a hundred companies, less than half will last five years."

Bruce rubbed the edge of his cup with his index finger, deep in thought. "So, it's pretty tough, huh?"

Andre glanced at his brother's hand, understanding the worry of a father since he became one himself. "The company has a security department, but Leo isn't going to take it over." He'd talked extensively with the department head, learning insider info and understanding his nephew's character.

Andre continued, "Everything at Cedillo Inc. is managed in-house, solely for Cedillo Group's cybersecurity needs. Leo wants to create a portal for all businesses."

This wasn't something he could just dream up and achieve. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it, and the wealth rankings wouldn't look the way they do.

Bruce didn't sip his tea, his fatherly concern evident. "Andre, Naomi and I haven't paid enough attention to Leo over the years. His education has been your responsibility. Naomi and I owe you a..."

Before he could say "thank you," Andre interrupted, "Big brother, we're family. No need for formalities. You and Naomi have done a lot for my son too. I get it. Leo's an adult now, I won't meddle." Andre always said he'd back off once Leo came of age, but seeing his nephew's reckless behavior, he couldn't help but worry. To him, Leo was still a kid, so he kept a close eye on him.

This time, he truly let go.

Bruce stayed in Andre's office until it was time to return to work in the afternoon.

Later, Andre opened a drawer, looking at the new business cards he'd made for Leo. Noticing the resemblance in their features, he put them back and closed the drawer. He massaged his temples, feeling drained. At that moment, he longed to go home, to see the two who could make him smile with just a glance.

Henry was at his grandma's, happily enjoying a "feast" of three bowls of food, when his dad's video call came in.

Andre saw his son's face covered in food and laughed, "Henry, what are you eating at grandma's?"

Henry opened his mouth, insisting on being fed by his grandma, and after eating, he started playing.

He fussed and cried when scolded, and after crying, everyone had to coddle him.

In the afternoon, Mia came home from school, holding their son in new clothes. "Did you feed your clothes again while eating?" Henry's clothes, hanging in the Irvin family's yard, had dried under the afternoon sun, smelling like sunshine, warm and toasty. Soon, Andre arrived, and Mia got ready to pick up their son to greet him.

Madison said, "Put him down, let him crawl by himself. He needs the practice. Today, he even managed to crawl up to the steps." But once at the steps, he started gnawing on them.

After several bites, he couldn't take a chunk out.

Mia put her son down, complaining, "He manages to prop himself up and crawl around a bit at night, but it's all so clumsy."

Andre walked in, seeing his son lazily lying on the ground, and called out with a smile, "Henry, come to Dad."

The toddler, wearing a diaper, excitedly kicked his legs on the ground. "Ah ah buzz-"

Andre walked over, picked up his little lazybones, and Henry immediately started nibbling on his dad's face. "Mmm buzz, ah ah, crawl hmm"

Henry nibbled, making noises to liven up the moment.

After dinner with the Irvin family, the trio headed back home.

Leo, who had been missing for three days, finally turned his phone on and immediately received a call from Anya.

Anya had called with little hope, not expecting Chad to pick up. In her bedroom, she dialed again before going to sleep. This time, she heard the ringing.

The light in Anya's eyes gradually brightened.

After a few rings, Leo picked up, and before he could speak, Anya shouted, "Chad!"

Leo cleared his throat with a faint "hmm," his voice tinged with fatigue.

Anya's excitement died down, softly calling out, "Chad," then she said, "We've all been worried about you. Where did you go?"

"I'm fine, don't worry."

Anya looked down, touching the quilt. "Chad, Uncle returned to Maplewood Estates. Can you please come back?"

Leo was silent for a long time before finally skipping over Anya's words, rarely using her name. "Anya, about that night, I was a bit impulsive. About our relationship, do you want to reconsider?" "Chad, it's too late." Anya said, "I've already told my parents I'm dating you."

Leo: "..."

"And, I don't need to reconsider. I'm willing to be your girlfriend. You took my first kiss; you have to take responsibility." Leo: "..."

Anya added, "Anyway, that's that, you figure it out."

She had the air of someone ready to play the victim, after all, Leo was the one who kissed her first, so he was at fault.

"Send me your dad's phone number," Leo finally spoke.

Anya, puzzled, asked, "Chad, what for?"

Leo: "To take responsibility."

Anya, feeling a bit threatened, warned, "If you talk to my mom and dad about breaking up, they'll think you're a jerk, and then they'll have a bad impression of Uncle too." "Just send it."

"Alright."

Soon after, Mr. Calder's phone number was sent to Leo.

Leo looked at the unfamiliar number, leaned back in his chair, and made up his mind. While it was still early and before everyone went to rest, he dialed Mr. Calder's number. "Hello, who's this?"

Leo spoke up, "Mr. Calder, it's Leo."

Mr. Calder, "Leo?" He recalled the call his daughter made to him the day before. "Do you need something?"

Leo: "Um, I wanted to talk to you about Anya and me, to ask for your blessing."

Leo had never been in love before. He knew that dating was a matter between two people and didn't typically involve telling the parents. However, given the special relationship between his and Anya's families, he decided to reach out to Mr. Calder. "Mr. Calder, I'm still young, cruising along the path my uncle set for me, but I know it's not sustainable. I feel it's time to carve out my own journey."

Like the ancient oaks in the forests that have towered for centuries, having outlived their competitors by fighting their own battles, there's a stark contrast with those saplings that are overprotected, constantly fed with fertilizers, living under a glass ceiling. They're destined never to reach their full potential.