Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 864

Why did it take so long? Well, Leo had thrown out a new web address for everyone to check out, saying, "If you can figure out who this person is, you'll know whether diving into the dark web is worth it or not." With that, Leo watched as everyone dived into a new round of sleuthing.

His eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Todd. You know what they say, the tallest poppy gets cut down first, and Leo didn't buy for a second that Todd was the first to know about the dark web without someone pulling his strings. I mean, the guy casually mentioned the fifty million like it was nothing. Someone had to be using him to spill the beans.

And the fact that someone had already hacked the dark web? That was a red flag. Leo was on high alert, knowing that besides him and his uncle, only the dark web folks could know. His own people wouldn't spill the beans; it had to be an insider from the dark web. Leo had gotten a bit too comfortable lately, almost forgetting there were still folks out there looking for him.

Looking at Todd, Leo wondered about the mastermind behind him. He remembered his uncle's advice: don't stick your neck out too much, staying under the radar might not be a bad thing.

Later, when the group cracked it open, they were stunned, "Leo, it was you all along?"

They even managed to break through the protective barriers Leo had set up, realizing just how skilled Leo was.

If they ever needed to venture into the dark web and Leo wasn't up to it, they wouldn't push him to join. This was Leo's real plan to appear plain and unremarkable in their eyes.

As Leo left, Andre had just rolled back into town with a group of seniors.

Nine o'clock, and for this city that never sleeps, the night was still young.

Henry was all snuggled up, snoozing in his mom's arms after an afternoon nap. Mia's arms were getting sore, so Hansen stepped in to help carry their little bundle of joy.

Andre's shoes were still a bit damp, but he had to wear them, or he'd risk going barefoot.

"Mia, didn't you say you wanted some shrimp scampi?" Hansen remembered.

With the seniors around, Andre didn't want to rain on his wife's parade, so he said, "Mia, name a spot, and I'll drive us there."

As dinner time rolled around, they were winding down the mountain roads, everyone feeling a bit queasy, not wanting to eat and risk getting motion sick, so they nibbled on some of Henry's snacks instead. Henry never traveled without snacks!

Anytime he fussed, they'd hand him a milk stick, cookies, or some easily digestible bread.

The seniors' appetites were about as big as a toddler's, preferring foods that were easy on the stomach, just enough to keep them going.

Once they hit the city, everyone was itching to try the street food Hansen always bragged about.

Mia suggested, "Honey, let's head over to the university district. There's tons of good eats there. The students are on break, so it's less packed. The night market's popping right now." Andre remembered Mia's school, casually steering the car in that direction. Watching him handle the wheel made Mia swoon every time. She teased, "Honey, can you spin the wheel again?" Andre turned, catching his wife's admiring gaze, and laughed softly.

Who knew driving could have his wife falling for him all over again?

"Keep an eye on Henry. If he wakes up, nobody's getting any sleep tonight."

Right then, Henry was like a ticking time bomb, everyone on edge for the inevitable explosion.

And wouldn't you know it, what they dreaded happened!

As soon as they parked, Henry, who'd been napping all afternoon, started squirming in Mia's arms. As she gently patted his back, Henry yawned and waved his little hands around.

Everyone was on pins and needles, watching.

Andre saw the signs and thought, Here we go.

The next moment, Henry was bawling.

He latched onto Mia's dress, sitting in her lap, looking around, and then, with a big wail, let loose his tears.

Andre gently called out, "Henry."

Henry buried his face in Mia's embrace, wailing his little heart out.

Mia could only try to soothe him, "Honey, go ahead and order. I'll calm him down here. Remember to get one with mixed herbs and one with just a touch of spice." Considering the seniors, they couldn't handle anything too fiery. Hansen, always wanting more, grumbled, "A touch of spice is too bland, Mia, let's go for hot and spicy."

Mia shot back, “And have Molly call you sausage lips tomorrow?"

Hansen backed down, "Okay, maybe medium spicy then."

Andre asked coolly, "Can your stomach handle it?"

Hansen, his bravado deflating, relented, "Alright, a touch of spice it is." He didn't want to squabble with his son who'd driven all day to fetch him.

Mia thought her husband's concern was a bit too stern and chided, "Dad, you've gotten used to spicy food with us, but this is new for the others. Let's start mild and work our way up, okay?"

She always made sure to give Hansen a graceful exit while keeping things amicable.

Andre realized he might have been too harsh and softened up, "Dad, if you want a touch of spice, Mia and I can take you out again in a few days, sounds good?"

Hansen, catching the softer tone, was thrilled. "You're both making sense. I'll go with what you say."

Andre led the group inside while Mia stayed outside to pacify their chubby son.

Andre ordered a couple of dishes, handed the menu to his dad, and quickly stepped back out. Under the night sky, he saw Mia, tenderly holding their son.

"Sweetie, no more tears, okay? Your mom's here, not your stepmom. Son, we didn't have any beef in our past lives." Mia cooed at her son, who was still fussing despite being well-rested. Andre approached, taking his son, letting him cry on his shoulder without coddling him.

"You head in, see if there's anything you want."

"No need, Dad's got it covered." Mia smiled warmly at her husband, "Honey, realizing it was wrong to talk to Dad like that earlier earns you an extra drumstick."

"A kiss would be better than a drumstick."

Mia glanced inside, saw the seniors huddled over the menu, and on tiptoe, planted a quick kiss on her husband's lips.

This little moment didn't escape the teary-eyed Henry.

"Uh-ahh!"

He started gnawing on Andre's face.

With teeth now, his gnawing hurt, and Andre often had to give him a light tap on the bottom.

After calming Henry, the couple joined the others in the restaurant. Mia checked the menu and added a couple of the house specials.

Andre went back to the car to prepare a bottle for Henry, who eagerly took it, likely hungry.

Mia felt the pride of having a loving family, and Hansen was glowing, clearly the main event today.

Andre felt it too, realizing that the elderly needed his company just as much as his child did.

He looked at his chubby son, realizing that both the young and the old needed him.

Andre then nestled his son, who was happily sipping his milk, closer to his heart.