Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre's hands clung nervously to the railing, sweat slicking the metal beneath hisnoveldrama

grip.

Noah, standing with him, held his breath too. Both men watched their lively, mischievous, utterly adorable wife—the kind who'd shamelessly beg for kisses and hugs-now squaring off with a guy, all fiery and direct, ready for a real fight.

"Boss, is your wife at home today? Is she like this there too?" Noah asked.

Andre finally let out a sigh, a flicker of relief in his eyes. "No, she's even more intense at home."

Noah hesitated. "So... is it anything like life with you and Henry?"

Andre grinned. "Yeah. Not bad, actually."

Noah shrugged. "As long as no one starts throwing punches, I guess it's fine." Whatever happened, as long as it didn't get out of hand.

Andre's turn was coming up next. He glanced over at Mia, the little trickster- she'd just gulped down her water and was already turned around, chatting away with Molly.

Meanwhile, "Elephant" was still agonizing about something, probably wondering what teeth had to do with anything.

Andre barely paid attention to the match on the floor. When it was Elephant's turn, Andre played half-distracted, but still managed to win.

Mia had rested up, and soon she was called to the stage again.

Every time a matchup was announced, the screen would flash both players' code names. When it was Mia's turn, her opponent's slot was blank.

"Huh?" Molly said, frowning. Mia froze, too. Blank? Did her opponent not show up?

People started whispering, exchanging confused glances. Why was there nothing next to "Auntie's" name?

Molly nudged her, grinning, "Mia, maybe your last match was so over-the-top, your opponent saw it and just called it quits?"

"Come on, you really think someone who made it to Gold Level is that much of a chicken?" Mia replied, equally stumped.

More people started guessing—maybe the system was glitching. Some checked

the Gold Pass roster, speculating who Mia was supposed to face.

Jade piped up, "What if no one's left to fight you, so the system just auto- advances you?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, as if that would ever happen."

Up on the balcony, a whole group crowded the railing, peering down. Since joining the organization, they'd seen Mr. Nettleton throw down,

watched Asher work his magic even witnessed that infamous Mars guy get knocked around. But

BUM

never—never—had they seen their

own boss, the founder of The Silent Ring, get in the ring.

Was he as fierce here as he was in business? Everyone was dying to find out.

"Shh, who's the boss up against this time?"

"No clue. Maybe it's 'Elephant'? No one's managed to beat him, so maybe the boss is stepping in?"

"But by the rules, 'Elephant' already qualified for the White Pass," someone pointed out.

Above the White Pass was the Black Pass—the real prize.

That's what Mia was chasing now: the White Pass.

Molly knew Mia would never just give up. Sure, if you were last place, you could drop out and let someone else yin. But for someone in third to just hand over the top spot? Not a chance.

"Mia, you good?" Molly's concern was real.

Mia nodded, still searching the screen for her opponent's name.

Suddenly, off to the side of the stage, a long, elegant hand swiped a card through the scanner.

In an instant, next to "Auntie," the screen flashed a gleaming Black Pass.

The whole place erupted.

"Black Pass! She's up against a

Black

holder!" someone

gasped-one of the old-timers who'd

these battles

Whears.

Mia shot upright in her seat. Her? Now? She was really facing The Silent Ring's

top dog?

Everyone was stunned-even the staff from The Silent Ring.

"No way, the boss is going up against 'Auntie'? Against a woman?"