Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Your dad can't save you," Mia teased, holding her son's tiny hand firmly. "Stay still, or I might accidentally nip your fingers."

Henry bawled, his eyes glued to his hands. Mia kept up the lighthearted chatter, "Back when you were still in my belly, your dad was the one who clipped my nails and helped me with my socks. So, who do you think he loves more, you or me?"

Henry wasn't in the mood for chit-chat. His teary eyes stayed fixed on his nails, each clip feeling like it was cutting into his very soul.

Once the nail-trimming ordeal was over, Henry acted as if he'd lost his nerve entirely, refusing even to hold his bottle. He just cried for his dad to come and hold him.

But that night, Andre didn't make it home, and neither did Bruce.

The next day, Hansen decided to catch up with a few old colleagues, all of whom were around his age. As soon as he walked in, he cut straight to the chase, "So, I hear some folks think the Cedillo family is trying to mess with fate because I picked a prime spot to build my house back in the day. Now folks are calling it a 'dragon vein,' and y'all buy into that?"

Someone tried to sidestep the issue, "Come on, Hansen, it's complicated, and they're still looking into it. If there's nothing there, then there's nothing to worry about, right?"

Hansen nodded, "I get it. I'm just here for some friendly banter, no heavy stuff. I heard old Meng and Guo recently consulted a medium to find a burial plot. Where's it at, anyway? Tell me, maybe I'll grab a plot nearby. Who knows, in a few years, we might all be neighbors again, just six feet under."

The room went silent.

Hansen pressed on, "What, cat got your tongue?"

The old-timers exchanged glances, and Hansen continued, "I'm just wary about picking a spot. We're all getting up there in years, and let's face it, any day could be our last. If I pick a plot, people might start gossiping that the Cedillo family is aiming for divine status."

"Come on, Hansen, isn't that a bit much?"

Hansen chuckled, "Is it, though?"

Then he slammed the table, his voice booming, "Even the old folks know to pick a prime resting place to bless their descendants. Why can't the living do the same? All this talk of 'dragon veins' is just nonsense from bookworms. Ever seen a president who got there because they lived on a 'dragon vein'? Throughout history, has there been any?"

Hansen's outburst silenced the room. Everyone held their breath, afraid to break the quiet.

Hansen's eyes scanned the room, "Leaders rise because they're chosen by the people, not because of some mystical dragon vein. It's outdated thinking! Ridiculous!

I know what you're worried about. My second son, dubbed a business mogul, and you're scared he might actually become a king one day. My eldest holds a high position, and some think it's because of some backdoor deals with my second

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But none of you have bothered to see what my eldest has accomplished in his role, how much my second son has donated, the good he's done, the community projects he's launched!" Hansen's voice softened, "When funds were short, who but my second son stepped in? When a project was floundering, who but the Cedillo family picked up the slack? In times of disaster or crisis, when hasn't the Cedillo family pitched in with money, effort, and manpower?"

Hansen asked pointedly, "Think bringing down Cedillo Inc. will make your lives easier? Think dragging my eldest down will topple the Cedillo family? Let me tell you, investigate all you want, the Cedillo family will always stand strong."