Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

She was his real sister, after all, so of course she couldn't help but feel a little protective—almost worried that Andre was just too good at keeping Mia wrapped around his finger.

Mia, snuggled in her husband's arms, turned her head and, with a scrunched-up nose, pressed her face against his chest for a playful sniff. Suddenly, she looked up with wide eyes. "Honey?"

Andre: "..."

He immediately let go, flexing his fingers, his fist still tight, caught between wanting to hold on and not daring to strike.

Now it was Andre's turn to move. Mia stood ready, dodging quick as a flash. His fist shot out, but she slipped to the side, grinning, "You're not my husband! My husband couldn't bear to hit me. I'm his precious little kitten, his Mia."

Andre was frustrated. She understood everything perfectly-she just refused to listen.

His punches were careful, Mia's dodges nimble, but with Andre, she never got a real chance to fight back.

If you didn't know better, the whole scene would look bizarre. But everyone watching from upstairs—all members of The Silent Ring-spotted the truth: their boss was pulling his punches, like he didn't want the match to end too soon.

Was he...protecting her?

The crowd was confused. "What's the boss even doing?"

Noah just shook his head, lounging at the side, watching as Mia's energy soared. "Mia, you throw the punches. I'll distract him for you-split his attention."

Molly pointed at Andre, starting to shout, "You jerk, how dare you—" But before she could finish, Andre shot her a look, even through the tiny eye holes in his mask. Molly's voice shrank immediately.

She cowered. "Mia, he's glaring at me. I can't go on."

Andre had covered himself as much as possible, worried Mia would recognize his eyes. Even the eyeholes in his mask were just small circles.

But no matter how much he tried to hide, she could always tell it was him.

He'd only hugged her for a moment, and she'd already called him out.

Who could know you better than the person you share your bed with?

Their sparring was way less intense than

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Earning a Black Pass was a big deal in The Silent Ring-it became your badge, not just some code name.

Mia glanced over at Jade, who'd given up heckling and was now totally silent.

She turned back to Andre, pausing for a moment, wheels spinning in her head.

And then-lightbulb. Her whole face brightened.

Mia grinned. Andre could tell she was plotting something, and he braced himself. But with Mia, there was always one more trick up her sleeve.

She lunged-fast, sharp, her punches and reflexes on point.noveldrama

Andre had to take her seriously now. Clearly, she'd been holding back before.

One second her fist was coming at him, the next, her palm pressed against his side.

Just when he thought she'd elbow him, she hooked her leg around—only, Andre's stance was rock solid, and she couldn't trip him.

He knew her too well. If she made something obvious, it was just to cover her real move. It was never actually about the elbow.

With Mia coming at him full force, Andre had no choice but to match her energy.

The whole room went quiet, every eye glued to the pair circling on the mat.

And then, with a dramatic swoop, Mia leaned back. "Ah, help!"

She pretended to fall, and before he even thought about it, Andre lunged forward, catching her as she dropped, his knee on the mat, one arm around her, the other gently guarding her head from the floor.