Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo was curious, "Dad, you're not busy today. What brings you here all of a sudden?"

Bruce settled in, glancing around to make sure Leo wasn't struggling on his own, "I wanted to check in on your grad school exam results. Which schools are you aiming for?"

"I did alright. I'm aiming for National University. If that doesn't pan out this year, I'm considering

Havenbrook University." Leo had set his ambitions pretty high from the get-go.

Both National University and Havenbrook University were top-notch institutions in the area, notoriously

hard to get into. Hearing this, Bruce nodded with pride, "Sounds like you did well."

Leo replied, "It's still a bit up in the air." But he was talking about the challenge of getting into those schools.

"Mia's results came out too. She was on cloud nine for a couple of days, but now it looks like she'll have to retake the exam next year, so she's been a bit moody. Your uncle and Henry are both keeping their distance."

Mia had shared her results with her close circle right away, so Leo was in the loop early. "Mia and Molly, those sisters might come across as quiet, but they're actually pretty sharp and have their own ways of studying. Remember, those two managed to get into Havenbrook University before.

It's no shock she did well this year. If my uncle hadn't set the bar so high, with her skills, she could've gone to a decent university and done a part-time grad program.

But I think my uncle has thought it through. Mia doesn't have the pressure to find a job right now, and she's not stressing about her age. She's got her family and a son who doesn't need her around the clock. The family isn't pushing her either. It might be better for her to aim for a full-time grad program next year. It's more her speed."

"No one's more invested in Mia's future than your uncle. Have you eaten yet, son?" Bruce asked.

Leo shook his head, "I was just about to grab a bite. Tony and his manager just got here."

Bruce suggested, "It's been ages since we've all gone out for a meal. Let's pick up your mom and head out for some steak?"

"Sounds good. But my girl..."

Bruce laughed, patting his son's shoulder, "You're not even hitched yet, and you're always thinking of your girlfriend first. With Henry around, who do you think can coax her out?" en

Bruce had driven over, and on the way to pick up Naomi, Leo took the wheel, with Bruce enjoying the ride in the passenger seat, calling his wife to give her a heads-up.

When Naomi heard the plan for a family steak outing, she quickly checked with Anya.

Sure enough, Anya snuggled her little one, "Auntie, I promised to watch 'Bear Adventures' with the baby. We're set on it."

Henry clung to Anya's neck, chiming in, "Yes, bear-bear fun!"

Mia passed by, tweaking her son's nose, correcting, "It's "bear,' not 'fun.""

Seeing his mom getting in on the game, Henry clapped excitedly, "Ah-woo-woo-woo."noveldrama

Naomi lovingly ruffled her little guy's head, "Alright, then. Great auntie will go, and you stay home and watch your 'bear-bear."

Henry waved goodbye to his great aunt, looking at Anya with a happy, sniffling nose.

When Andre got home, his son was on him, shouting "bear-bear."

"Mia, what's 'bear-bear'?"

Mia explained, "He means 'bear'. He's not quite getting it right, but he loves saying it."

At the steakhouse, the couple

ordered their son's favorite, mashed potatoes, right away. Naomi looked at her son with a warm smile, "Son, it's okay if you don't get in this year. Mom and Dad have got you covered. We can try again next year

Bruce and Naomi playfully bickered, "Why are you holding our son back? How do you know he won't make it this year? He's definitely got this."