Chapter 181
Chapter 181
Afterwards, the Cedillo family managed to scrape together the cash and dropped it off at the
designated spot.
But only Andre came back, and Molly mysteriously vanished.
Upon hearing this, Mia forgot to respond. Her gaze was filled with worry. "And then what?" she asked.
"Turns out Andre was saved by the Marshal family, Jillian's father to be exact. That's why we've helped
the Marshal family so many times. After you joined the Cedillo family, we've completely cut ties with
them.
“Not even a month after Molly disappeared, Andre's mom kicked the bucket due to illness.Andre
blamed himself, thinking he didn't protect his sister well enough. He'd wear his hospital gown and
search for Molly everywhere. His mother's death hit him hard, and he felt he was responsible for it. At
the age of 13, he moved out on his own and went to Maplewood Estates, where he lived alone,
studied, and refused any assistance from anyone.
“I once tried to do his laundry, he practically kicked me out. Hansen tried to get into Maplewood
Estates, but without Andre's permission, he couldn't even step foot in there.
“Mia, you've made your way into Andre's heart, I'm sure you guys will end up living in Maplewood
Estates. I'm begging you, give Andre a home. Don't let him be like a lonely ship, with only the mission
to find Molly in his heart."
Mia nodded resolutely, "I'll give him a home, and he'll give me something to lean on."
Naomi always cared for Andre.
Many times during Christmas, Andre would be alone outside. They couldn't even get him to come
home for a meal.
So Naomi said to her son, "Leo, go do something naughty."
Leo, "…Mom, are you losing it or am I?"
Naomi pointed at the chandelier in their house and said, "Knock it down with a stick."
Leo looked up at the perfectly fine chandelier. It wasn't bothering him, why did he have to knock it
down?
But Naomi insisted. Leo felt puzzled and went ahead without asking for the reason. Then, his trouble-
stirring mom picked up her phone and called Andre. "Andre, get back here and handle Leo. He broke
the chandelier at home and almost hurt someone."
Leo was speechless. Then Andre came back, and gave Leo a good spanking.
Throughout the Christmas season, the Cedillo family living room was filled with Leo's wailing. But no
one was mad, everyone had a smile on their face. Only Leo, who got spanked so hard he had to stand
while eating because his butt hurt too much to sit down.
Later on, his mom said to him, "Leo, go and…"
"I won't do it!"
Then, his dad stepped in.
And then, Andre came back again. In the Cedillo family, Leo cried again.
Leo figured out the pattern, every Christmas, he dared not come home, he'd often ask Jade and Mia to
hang out with him instead. Because the moment he stepped foot in the house, everyone would start
egging him on to do something naughty, even if he didn't do anything, he'd still get a whooping.
There was one time when he didn't go back no matter who called him.
What was frustrating was Naomi called Andre again. "Andre, Leo's disappeared again during New
Year's, not even answering his phone."
Later on, Andre found his missing nephew on a deserted street. Andre didn't get out of the car. Leo
saw the license plate, scared himself into crying first, then willingly got into the car.
Coincidentally, Mia was also there that evening. She dressed herself up like a penguin. Her huge scarf
covered half her face, and she watched the car drive past her.
Andre didn't notice the girl dressed like a penguin.
What's meant to be, will be.
Naomi and Mia chatted for a long time, then continued looking through the photo album.
Bruce walked in and saw them. "Mia, you're here?"
"Yes, I came to look at photos of Andre and Molly."
Bruce came over, glanced at the album, then sat across from them. He hesitated, then earnestly said to
Mia.
"Mia, right now, out of the whole family, Andre only listens to you. You know Molly, you should also
know the complete story from Naomi. I'm asking for a favor, talk to Andre more, and get him to give up.
If he keeps going like this, he'll lose his mind." Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
Mia's face was full of determination, and she shook her head. Her eyes were sincere, firm. "Bruce, I
can't promise you that. I know what you mean, but I trust my husband more. I won't persuade him to
give up. As long as it's something he insists on, I'll support him and stay by his side. It's too hard and
too lonely to search alone, so with me by his side, Andre won't lose his mind. Even if it takes a lifetime,
it's okay."
Bruce was left speechless.
Naomi looked at the young girl, she put her hand on Mia's. "Bruce and I feel guilty about Molly's
disappearance too. If it weren't for Andre protecting Leo, Molly wouldn't have been lost, and his mom
wouldn't have died."
Mia, rational and sensible, comforted the guilt-ridden Naomi. "They were after Leo. He's the only heir to
the Cedillo family. The significance of kidnapping him far outweighed Molly's. Andre was young back
then, he could only protect one child. It’s either Leo or Molly. If Leo was kidnapped and missing for
fifteen years, Naomi, you wouldn't have been able to bear it."
Perhaps, the one who would've been too worried, beyond help, would've been Naomi. No matter who it
was, Andre felt his sin was too great.
Bruce fell silent for a while, "Mia, what if we're looking for someone who might not exist?"
Without hesitation, Mia replied, "No biggie, let's treat it as a belief, as long as Andre and I are alive."
With that, she stood up, sneakily grabbed a photo when the couple wasn't looking and stashed it
behind her phone case. "Bruce, Naomi, I'm taking off first."
She left the room. At the same time, Leo came out from Andre's study. The two locked eyes.
"What are you doing with my mom?"
"Why were you in Andre's study?"
Both fired off their questions simultaneously, grilling each other. However, neither was keen on
divulging their actions.
They locked eyes again.
Leo glared at Mia, they mutually ignored each other and went off to find their respective family
members.
Mia stepped into her husband's study, while Leo headed for his parents' bedroom.
"Honey, what were you doing with Leo just now?"
"Just discussing some homework stuff, where were you?"
Mia's eyes twinkled, she played coy, "I'm not telling."
Today, the necklace around her neck was shimmering, and seeing this, Andre was in good spirits.
He swiveled his office chair around, and spread his arms out, extending his hands, "Come here."
Mia bit her lip, giggling as she ran into her husband's arms.
Meanwhile, in Naomi's bedroom.
"Where were you just now?"
"Where else could I be, Andre called me over, you couldn't have missed his booming voice, could
you?"
Leo poured himself a glass of water. "Mom, Dad, I need to discuss something with you guys."
"Good news or bad news?" Naomi closed the photo album and put it away.