Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 579

Molly slouched on the couch, her voice tinged with frustration, "I tried studying with my phone, but I keep zoning out. On the laptop, I can actually focus."

Chad picked up the stack of notes Molly had meticulously crafted. It seemed the last time she caught flak from Mom, she took it to heart. Her notes were now even more detailed than her actual study sessions. He scanned the dense handwriting, worried she'd wear herself out going at it alone. "After New Year's, I'll take a few days off from the squad and help you out."

"Can you actually get the time off?" Molly vaguely remembered her 18th birthday-the one where she wanted her big brother to take a road trip with her, and he kept saying he couldn't get leave.

It made Molly feel like the whole town of Havenbrook might just stop spinning without her brother around.

Chad replied with a smirk, "Wedding leave. The bosses get it."

The Cedillos had more guests over, and upon seeing the snowman at the door, they chuckled, "Who built this? Even gave it a makeover. Quite the crafty hands."

Naomi smiled as she explained, "We've got a lot of kids in the family, all playful. On New Year's Eve, we built it together, and Molly did the makeup."

As each guest arrived, they also caught wind of Molly's upcoming wedding, spreading the news far and wide among relatives.

When asked about the future son-in-law of the Cedillo family, they only mentioned Chad's name, which prompted an intrigued response, "The Officer Chad from the police department?" Chad's name was a quiet legend in Havenbrook's elite circles. He wasn't a regular face among them, but when he did show up, someone was bound to be in for it.

"This young man is quite the catch; our Molly really lucked out," someone remarked.

The 'lucky' Molly could only offer a blank stare in response.

Meanwhile, little Henry's pockets were bulging with more shiny red envelopes.

Every night, Mia whispered to her oblivious son, "Sweetheart, Mommy's saving these for you. No need to thank me; it's what a mom should do."

Henry glanced at his nonchalant mother and looked away, the spitting image of his dad in his disdainful little expression.

At dusk, while counting the money, Mia gasped, "Honey, our son's New Year envelopes could make a down payment on a house!"

...

After spending the New Year with the Cedillos, Mia and her child went back to her parents' house to stay for a while.

Uncle Cooper took his nephew out for walks every day, proudly showing off the family gem to anyone they met.

The Gordons, too, planned to come to Havenbrook after the holidays. Leo had some ideas, but the Gordon parents seemed set on coming to be close to the school. Naomi asked too, but Mrs. Calder was not immediately convinced.

Later, Leo sought out Andre, "Uncle, I need to ask you a favor."

It was the first time Leo used the word "ask" in such a way, and Andre, who had long considered Leo like a son, felt a mix of emotions. "Go ahead," he said, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Leo laid out his request, which remained known only to the two of them.

Eventually, the Gordons did come to Havenbrook, but they moved into the Cedillo residence to send off their daughter. The heads of Calder Corporation thanked the Cedillos and offered their blessings before leaving.

After a long absence, Anya stood before Leo, her joy tempered with restraint. She wanted to hug him but held back, standing on tiptoe and trying to suppress her excitement. "Chad, my uncle said I could stay with you guys, and my dad agreed right away."

Leo's response was cool, "Oh," as he took her hand and led her into the living room.

With Anya's arrival, they gained another pair of helping hands.

"What? Auntie, you're getting married in less than two months?" Anya was stunned.

Molly nodded in affirmation.

Anya echoed Molly's sentiment: "I'm shocked too."

Once past the shock, Jade, not one to dwell on formalities, started delegating tasks for the next day.

Chad returned to the station, having arranged his shifts to have most of his leave after New Year's. He requested an extended leave from his superior, "Jose, I'm getting married. Can't have Molly running around worrying about wedding arrangements all by herself." As a man, he had to be useful.

Jose sighed, "Molly's a good sister, helping her brother with his wedding."

Chad dropped the bombshell, "She's great indeed. But this time, she's busy with her own wedding."

Jose doubted his ears for a moment, "...What?"

Chad's smile was contagious, "Uncle, Molly and I are getting married in March. Remember to bring Auntie to the celebration."

After dropping that news, Chad left a stunned superior behind.

Having secured approval, Chad wrapped up his cases and announced, "I'll be away. Donnie's in charge."

Donnie, the appointed stand-in, was bewildered, "Boss, what are you up to?"

Chad simply stated, "Getting married."

The precinct erupted in applause, then confusion set in, "Wait, you've only ever had your little 'emperor' by your side. Who are you marrying?"

"My little 'emperor'," Chad replied.

Donnie blurted out in disbelief, "No way."

Chad's threatening gaze silenced him, "Watch your conduct, officer!"

Now everyone understood why Donnie had previously suffered under Officer Chad's hand and why Chad, who never meddled in his subordinates' love lives, had suddenly played matchmaker for him.

Love, it seems, has no regard for martial virtue.

After three more days of work, Chad was ready for his week-long leave.

To make things easier, the Suzhou and Cedillos didn't hesitate to have Molly stay with the Byrnes.

Once back, Coleen made it clear, "Before the wedding, Molly, you're still sleeping in your own room."

Molly retorted, "Mom, you don't have to tell me. I wouldn't have it any other way."

After being drafted as a makeshift chief of staff for a few days and then liberated, Anya clung to Leo, chattering about home and calling him "Chad" with every other breath.

"Molly, do you need a maid of honor?" Chad asked casually one day.

Anya and Stephania were in, but when it came to Mia, she was out of the running. Her team's coach had laid down the law: married women or those with kids need not apply. And Mia, well, she was firmly in both camps. There went Mia's dreams of being a bridesmaid, crushed in an instant.

"Chad, you're gonna need to rustle up a couple of groomsmen, too," they told him.

Chad just shrugged. "I'll just grab a couple of the guys from the team."

Jade thought of that cute couple they all knew and chimed in, "What about getting Donnie in on the action?"

"No problem," Chad replied with ease.

The wedding dress was another surprise - Chad was taken aback when she didn't go for a custom gown, opting instead for a traditional rental.

Molly explained, "There's no time for custom, and besides, Mia had a tailor-made dress at her wedding. She told me it's just not worth it. You wear it once, it can't be passed down, and you're just burning money for no good reason." So, Chad let her call the shots.

The first day back from their break, Chad was right there with her, hitting up every jewelry counter in search of the perfect wedding bands.

He held Molly's purse like a champ, standing just behind her, unwavering, the epitome of patience as he accompanied her through the endless sea of glittering choices.