The CEO's Mischievous Little Bride

Patrick plopped down next to Vera, while Vincent snagged a seat by Cindy.

Molly was all by her lonesome on the couch, head down, tears streaming.

Shawn said, "Alright, everyone's here. Spill it."

Susan felt like she didn't belong. She was ready to bounce with Teddy, not wanting to butt in.

But Randall grabbed Susan's hand, making her sit next to him, telling her to chill.

"Vincent, Patrick, I wanna marry Sebastian," Molly blurted out, nerves on edge. Patrick's face twisted, "No freakin' way."

Vincent, usually Mr. Chill at home, wasn't having it either. "Molly, I don't agree, either."

Seeing Vincent and Patrick on the same page, Shawn cooled down a bit. "Molly, no one in this family is on board. If Sebastian doesn't want to embarrass himself, tell him to quit." Cindy jumped in, "Dad, Molly's gonna get hitched someday. Sebastian's not that bad."

"I said no, and that's that," Shawn snapped.

Shawn's outburst made Vera clam up. Even Cindy, the top dog in the family, got shut down. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

Patrick shot a glance at Vera. He knew Vera and Molly were tight. But she kept quiet.

Maybe Cindy's sudden support for Molly came from Vera's nudging.

Otherwise, how could Cindy back Molly and Sebastian so fast? Anyone else would need time to think it over.

Molly probably only confided in Vera and Randall, not Cindy.

With Vera's advice, Molly knew who to sway in the family.

Vera looked down at Theodore snoozing in her arms. She could feel Patrick's intense stare but didn't dare look up.

Molly started bawling, and Randall spoke up, "Grandpa, you need a legit reason to oppose."

"What reason? I just don't like Sebastian, isn't that enough?" Shawn almost blew up at Randall again.

Susan grabbed a tissue from the table and handed it to Molly, "Molly, dry your tears."

Randall stood his ground, "If Molly and Sebastian dig each other, that's enough. You don't like him, but Sebastian's not marrying you." Shawn pointed his cane at Randall, "Say one more word, and you're out."

Theodore, in Vera's arms, woke up from the racket and started crying.

Vera quickly got up, trying to calm him down.

Shawn, startled by Theodore, lowered his voice, "I'm Molly's dad, and I still call the shots on her marriage."

Randall reminded him, "Don't be so overbearing that you scare Susan."

Shawn glanced at Susan and toned it down again.

Vera was keeping an eye on the room's vibe. Holding Theodore, she softly cooed, "Sleep, baby, close your eyes, Mommy's here."

Patrick, ice-cold, said, "Molly, you're still young. No way I'm agreeing to this marriage."

Molly shot back, "Vera was even younger when she married you."

Vera, busy calming Theodore, stayed quiet. Sometimes, she really admired Molly's guts to stand up to Patrick.

Patrick snapped, "Is Vera's situation the same as yours?"

Molly mumbled, "The difference is one was a forced mess, and the other is something I actually want."

Vera chimed in, "Molly, now's not the time to rebel."

Patrick's face was already stormy, and Molly clammed up.

Vincent, knowing Vera's history in the family, said, "Molly, you and Sebastian just don't fit, period."

Cindy shot back, "I think they do. If we're talking family background, anyone Molly picks would be a step down for her. Plus, she grew up in the Chase family. Marrying back into it is like coming home."

"No issues with clashing values between her and Sebastian. We all know the Chase family well. They've treated Molly right, and we wouldn't worry about her being mistreated," she added.

Patrick questioned, "Who would dare mistreat an Olteran daughter?"

Seeing the argument going nowhere, Vera knew it wasn't urgent. She stepped in, "Dad, Vincent, Cindy, let's call it a day. Everyone knows the deal now. Let's all cool off, think it over for Molly. She's an adult, so let's give each other some space and talk it out later, okay?"

Shawn stayed silent, so Vera continued, "If we keep this up, Teddy will cry again, and Susan might get scared off."

From her earlier observations, Vera had pegged Shawn's two soft spots: he couldn't stand seeing Theodore upset, and he didn't want Susan to leave.

Finally, Shawn got up with a stern face and left the room. After he left, Cindy also pulled Vincent away.

Vera glanced at Patrick, then ignored him, carrying Theodore upstairs. Patrick got up and trailed behind her.

With everyone gone, Molly also got up and left.

When it was just Susan and Randall left in the living room, Susan quietly asked, "Randall, I'm not scared. Why do you and Vera keep saying I am?"

Randall blew on Susan's curious little face. She leaned back, her face in the wind, quickly closing her eyes and then opening them again, "Randall, what are you doing?"

Randall just said, "Silly."

After Susan went to her room, Randall headed to Molly's bedroom and looked at her.

"Molly, you really threw me for a loop," he said sincerely.