Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

After the party wrapped up, Leo was so drunk he was practically snoozing on the table. Vincent couldn't help but smirk, feeling satisfied. Young folks need a little humility check; otherwise, they start acting like they're the center of the universe. Leo, sprawled out, was well aware this was a setup by those two to teach him a lesson. As the night wore on, he deliberately slumped over, pretending to be out cold.

As the crowd dispersed, Lee helped Leo to Vincent's car, assuring everyone, "Leo's out cold from too much booze. Vincent and I are going in the same direction, so we'll drop him off. Gotta make sure our colleague gets home safe." It sounded thoughtful enough.

Leo waved off their offer, trying to hail a taxi instead, but the driver caught a whiff of alcohol and saw his state, refusing to take him. So, Leo ended up in the backseat of Vincent's car.

When they reached his place, Vincent and Lee insisted on escorting Leo to his door.

Paige wanted in on the action. "Dad, I'll come along."

"Stay in the car," Vincent instructed her.

But Paige was stubborn. It was odd for her dad to personally drive an employee home. Plus, Lee had been pushing drinks on Leo all night despite not liking him, then suddenly playing the good guy. Paige was suspicious. She hopped out and followed them.

They had snagged Leo's address from the company system.

Once they got downstairs, the chilly wind snapped Leo back to reality. He stopped at the building entrance. "Vincent, Sean, you've brought me this far. You can head back now. I can manage from here."

"We're already here; can't leave without knowing you're safely inside," Lee insisted, hitting the elevator button.

Leo shot back, "I'm good now. Gonna grab some water from the store and get some air. Not heading up just yet."

"Drunk folks always claim they're sober. Better not wander around. Hit the sack early, or you'll be late and docked tomorrow," Vincent advised.

Just then, Anya, having finished her exams, decided to head home, noticing Leo hadn't returned yet.

As she came down, she bumped into her boyfriend at the door.

"Chad." Anya called out sweetly.

She dashed over, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Chad, did you have a drink?"

"What are you doing here?" Leo's tone was a bit sharp.

Anya softly replied, "My aunt called me home, so I was about to leave."

Seeing this sweet girl appear, the three men had different reactions.

Vincent's eyes roamed over Anya, recalling her previous alluring outfit that he couldn't shake off. He even loitered at the entrance a few times, hoping for another glimpse. It wasn't until overhearing Leo's call that he realized Leo had wised up, asking Anya to wait for him inside the complex.

Lee admired Anya too, but he knew that helping his boss achieve his dreams could mean shares in the company-a steady income stream. Paige, who initially dismissed Leo's girlfriend, found herself scrutinizing the girl in Leo's arms, especially noticing her father's lustful gaze. She got it then.

"Leo, where does your girlfriend live? We've got a car, we can give her a ride," Lee offered.

Leo wrapped his arm around his girlfriend, his drunken fog lifting. "No need, she's staying over tonight."

"It's not right to have her look after you when you're drunk," Lee commented.

Anya, nestled against her boyfriend, retorted, "I want to take care of my Chad. It's none of your business."

It must've been these guys who got Chad drunk. Chad's been fed up with them, and Anya knew he wouldn't voluntarily drink more with them.

Leo, with an arm around Anya, firmly dismissed them. "Thanks, Vincent and Sean, for the ride. It's late; you should go. I'm in good hands with my partner." Vincent, eyeing Anya, said, "Lee, get her contact info. Check on Leo later."

Anya looked up, her big eyes meeting her boyfriend's

disapproving gaze. Leo tightened

hold on her shoulders. "Vincents

that's enough. I promised my uncle

I'd stay out of trouble.night!"

Paige quickly stepped in. "Dad, if we're worried about Chad, we can call him later. Doesn't matter who does it. I have Chad's contact, leave it to me." She turned to Anya. "Chad's in your care then."

Anya was speechless.

Leo, addressing Paige, said, "We're not that close. Let's not get too familiar."

With that, he and Anya entered the elevator.

Inside, Anya clung to Leo's waist while he held her shoulders. "Chad, I'm as annoyed with them as you are."

Leo, leaning against the wall due to Anya's embrace, said, "Remember those two faces. Don't give them your contact, don't talk, don't deal with them." "Okay."

Anya glanced up, her eyes watery, making Leo's throat dry. He swallowed as the elevator arrived.

He led Anya back to his apartment.

Downstairs, the three stood, looking sour.

Lee suggested, "Manager, maybe we should head out? Leo's with someone."

Paige turned and left first, disgusted by her father's intentions and Lee's enabling.

Behind her, Lee and Vincent whispered before getting back in the car.

"Dad, when are you going to change? Do you really want Mom to divorce you?" Paige confronted loudly.

Vincent replied, "What have I done? I haven't done anything."

"Am I blind?" Paige's eyes welled

with tears, knowing her father's true nature. "When you looked at Leo's girlfriend earlier, you practically wanted to eat her up. You ignore everyone else but personally drive an employee home and have Sean get her contact. Do I need to spell out what you're after?"

Caught by his daughter's accusation, Vincent couldn't save face. He turned and scolded her, "Shut up. Who am I doing this for?"

Tears fell from Paige's eyes as she shouted back, "For me? For this family? It's all for yourself."

Lee chimed in, "Miss, the manager is thinking of everyone's best interest."

"Shut up! Do you think you have a say in this? Get lost," Paige snapped back, furious.

At that moment, she also despised Lee for always enabling her father's affairs.

Lee swallowed his pride. "Miss, while the boss has his fun outside, at least he loves you enough to come home, to be with you, providing you a life of luxury that spares you years of struggle. How many men, once they have a new family, completely neglect their original families and children? You're just entering

society; you've seen too little. There are very few honest men out there."

"Maybe it's just the circles we run in. Leo always stands by his girlfriend, making sure everyone knows."