Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 548

When it came to Leo, the whole family was buzzing with speculation that he had dropped Anya off and might never return. Even Hansen couldn't help but throw in his two cents: "What's up with him? Trying to be the Gordons' permanent son-in-law, celebrating Christmas with them now?"

Just then, the sound of a car engine shutting off echoed from the front yard.

No need to wonder anymore-whoever was missing was obviously back.

Not a single person got up to greet Leo; they all stayed put in the living room, waiting for the prodigal son to walk in.

Two minutes later, Leo stepped out of the car and strode into the living room. The seemingly deserted front yard, save for the help bustling about, gave him the impression that the house was empty.

Even little Henry wasn't making his usual "wah-wah" cries.

But as Leo entered the living room and saw the rows of family members occupying every inch of the couch-Henry included-he recoiled slightly under their collective gaze. Trying to play it cool, he blurted out, "Jeez! I come home and not a single person greets me at the door? What, is everyone hibernating for the winter?"

Molly chimed in with a teasing grin, "Well, look who it is the Gordons' favorite son-in-law. What brings you back to your 'mom's' house all of a sudden?"

Not to be outdone, Leo shot back, "And if it isn't the Byrne family's lady of leisure, who never crosses the threshold unless it's a holiday. What's your excuse for popping by 'mom's' house?"

The jab was a subtle reminder to Molly that her situation with Chad was still up in the air, and she might need Leo's help-so she'd better watch her sharp tongue.

Sure enough, Molly glanced at her old man and bit back her retort.

Mia jumped in, "What've you been up to these past few days?"

"Just dropping off Anya."

"And does dropping off Anya take that long?" Mia asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Leo, holding baby Henry in his arms, began to explain, "Well, there was Anya's class reunion-I was the driver. Anya went shopping for your presents-I was the driver. Anya and her mom went for high tea-yep, you guessed it, I was the driver." Mia raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening, "Oh, a class reunion, huh?"

Molly seized the moment, "Wow, chauffeuring the mother-in-law too, no less."

Naomi, joining in the family roast with a chuckle, added, "Leo, you've never taken your mom out for high tea." It wasn't a real complaint, more of a playful jab to join her daughters in poking fun at her son.

Leo, cradling the child, was at a loss. His family had him cornered, and explanations seemed futile.

How could he possibly explain to them that at Anya's class reunion, there were guys interested in her, guys she found repulsive, and that she needed him there to scare them off? A few days before...

After dropping Anya at her place, Leo pointed to the garden fountain in the courtyard of the Gordon residence. "Anya, wasn't that the fountain you fell into last time, screaming for help?" Anya, her voice soft and coquettish, pleaded, "Chad, let's not bring up embarrassing childhood stories, okay? It's mortifying."

"It's just you, me, and the air in the car-who are you embarrassing?"

Anya bit her lip in a coy gesture.

That was Leo's last visit to the Gordons; for the rest of the journey, Anya directed him to the front yard.

The Calder couple had been waiting at the door for their precious daughter. They thanked Leo warmly upon seeing him.

Anya initially feared Chad might make an awkward comment in front of her parents, but she soon realized that outside of the Cedillo household's tomfoolery, he was quite dependable.

He was like a gentlemanly young nobleman, reminiscent of his uncle Andre's demeanor.

And since Mr. Calder was a staunch 'Andre fan,' he was particularly amiable towards Leo, a young man whose actions and words bore a striking resemblance to Andre.

Leo was more than just a privileged young master; he had the audacity of youth and the humility of the earnest, which Mrs. Calder found admirable.

After delivering Anya and the gifts, Leo was about to head to his hotel when the next day was set for his departure. But Anya, unwilling to let him go so quickly, tugged at him, "Chad, don't leave in such a hurry. Let me show you around my home, will you?" Leo declined, but Anya turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, when I came back, the Cedillos had prepared so many gifts for you. You can't let Chad go back empty-handed. It should be tit for tat."

Subsequently, the Gordons invited Leo to stay, and he reluctantly agreed.

In the evening, at Anya's enthusiastic invitation, Leo accompanied her for a walk. He asked, "Happy now?"

Anya nodded, "Very."

"What's so good about keeping me here?"

Anya replied simply, "It makes me feel better."

The next day, as Leo was gearing up to leave, Anya's class reunion unexpectedly popped up.

"Chad, there are two guys in my class who've been after me. Can you drop me off to scare them off?"

Leo asked, bemused, "Do I look that intimidating?"

Anya shook her head, gazing at Leo, "You're handsome."

"And how's being handsome supposed to scare anyone?"

Anya devised a plan, "Just pretend you're my... brother, and tell them to back off."

Leo thought Anya was acting like a little kid-like a second-grader calling in her sixth-grade brother for backup in a playground fight.

"What time is the reunion?" he asked with a look of disdain, though his words were direct.

In the afternoon, Leo dropped Anya at the hotel entrance.

A group of classmates was already waiting for her.

Upon seeing Leo, they were all curious.

Who was he? And why was he with Miss Anya Gordon?

Leo stepped out of the car as well, facing a crowd of naive students.

"Anya, who is he?" the curious classmates inquired.

Anya glanced at Leo obediently and said, "He's my Chad."

"A relative?" A few of them looked Leo up and down unabashedly.

She shook her head, "No, no relatives."

The boys in the group couldn't take their eyes off Leo, sensing a male threat. Leo followed their gaze to a silent figure who was intently watching him.

Ah, that must be one of the guys chasing Anya.

It wasn't that Leo guessed right, but such looks were all too familiar to him.

Back in their school days, Jade and Mia's suitors often found themselves green with envy over one guy in particular.

Leaning casually against his car, he effortlessly held onto Anya's hand-a sight that might have made jaws drop in disbelief to onlookers, but for them, it was just another day in their world.

He spoke up boldly in front of everyone, "Anya, when we get back, I want a list of all the guys who were at this little reunion. Anyone tries to hit on you, their family business is going belly up." Anya: "..."

The crowd was stunned into silence.

One of the guys who'd been eyeing Anya spoke up with a hint of challenge in his voice. "And who might you be? You've got quite the mouth on you."

"Leo Cedillo of the Cedillo Group," he replied, asserting the weight behind his earlier threat.

The message was clear: mess with Anya, and he had the means to end your game.

After Leo dropped his name, a hush fell over the group.

Anya had playfully suggested that Chad come over to intimidate the others, a sly little game to keep Leo around longer than he had planned. But now, here he was, not just playing the part, but sending shivers down her own spine as well.