Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo said, "Paige is divorcing Vincent. With all the charges against him and his history of cheating, he's bound to lose everything." "You're telling me to jump ship?" Lee asked.

Leo shook his head, clinking his glass against Lee's. "You've seen Vincent's influence. The second he's arrested and you quit, no company will touch you. And if someone does, they'll see you as a traitor."

Lee had considered leaving, especially since Vincent had upset the Cedillo family. He didn't want to be tied to a sinking ship. But as Leo pointed out, jumping ship now would make him look like a backstabber. He'd been so eager to attach himself to Vincent that everyone saw him as Vincent's right-hand man. If he left now, he'd be scorned. But if he waited too long and others left first, he'd be in a tight spot.

Seeing Lee's dilemma, Leo asked, "Sean, with Vincent out of the picture, who owns the company?"

""Paige, of course."

Leo smiled, "And who's Paige's sole heir?"

Lee hesitated, "...Jenny!"

Leo hinted, "Didn't you buddy up to Vincent for a slice of the company? What if you could control it?"

Lee started to understand what Leo was suggesting.

"I don't want too many enemies, and Sean, you've never wronged me. We've worked together long enough that I know your skills. Miss Quinn isn't great at managing, she struggles with financials, and forget about any technical stuff. Paige has never been involved in the company. Sean, isn't this your chance?" "Leo, why are you helping me?" Lee asked.

Leo replied, "Like I said, I don't want too many enemies. Plus, I'm planning to get into this business too; consider it making a friend in you. I'm giving you the plan; it's up to you to make it happen."

"But everyone knows Miss Quinn likes you."

Leo scoffed, "Does it matter who she likes? Why care? You've told me a man's future is what matters. With success and money, you can have any woman you want. Don't forget how Vincent got to where he was."

Lee was tempted and looked to Leo for advice, "What if she doesn't want to marry me?"

Leo chuckled, "That's your problem. I've given you the idea; if you can't pull it off, I'll find someone else."

He stood up, "I look forward to hearing good news from you." As Leo turned to leave, his smile faded.

The afternoon was sunny, with a slight chill. Anya had just found out she passed her computer science exam and insisted on treating her boyfriend to dinner.

Leo joked, "Ms. Anya, how much money do we have left in the account?"

Anya checked her phone, "Almost $12,000."

Leo paused, stunned, "No way."

Anya counted again, "Yep, Chad, it's $11,940. After today, it might even hit $12,000."

Leo was shocked. He'd done the math on his earnings, factoring in car payments, rent, and living costs, and thought $7,000 would be a stretch. "What did you do?" Leo asked.

Anya handed him her phone, "Chad, I've been investing your money in funds and stocks."

Leo was speechless.

Anya confessed, "I thought if I lost

money

just make up for it myself

telling you. But I ended up

making profits."

Leo looked through her trading history. She had a knack for catching trends. "Who taught you to pick these?"

"No one, I just figured it out from watching the news with you," Anya replied, having taken some finance courses at school.

Leo watched the news daily for his studies, and Anya often joined him. This quiet girl had made a smart move.

"When did you start investing?" Leo asked.

Anya, with a mouthful of food, said, "Months ago, right after you gave me your bank card. I thought I'd give it a shot."

Anya reinvested the profits. Seeing his girlfriend's quiet success, Leo couldn't help but admire her.

Handing the phone back to Anya, "Looks like you're taking care of Chad now."

"Sure, I'd love to," Anya replied happily.

Leo tapped her gently on the head, playfully ruffling her hair.

Vincent ended up divorced and imprisoned, losing everything as Leo predicted. With jail time looming, it's hard to avoid trouble when you're always near the edge.

Many industry contacts tried to help Vincent, but once they learned he'd crossed the Cedillo family, they backed off.

Paige had been unseen for days, then suddenly appeared at Leo's building, pleading for her father.

Leo said, "Do you not realize your father's downfall was my doing?"

Paige, with tears in her eyes, begged, "Chad, please, if you can save my dad, I'll do anything."

Leo shrugged her off, "I'm picking up Ms. Anya from school. Don't show up around her and upset her."

When Anya got home, Paige was still at the door.

Leo's eyes darkened, and Anya pouted, "Chad, I'm so over her."

Leo got out of the car with Anya right behind him.

She made sure Paige couldn't get close to Leo. "What do you want now?"

"Ms. Anya, I'm sorry, please don't let my dad go to jail." She knew her

UT

father's imprisonment would wreck their business. Lee was already cozying up to her mom, trying to gain favor, and employees were on edge, looking for new jobs.