Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Conner picked up the bowl and dug in without a care in the world. "I can handle spicy food. I've been eating Harry's dumplings since I was a kid."

Annie, on the other hand, couldn't handle the heat anymore. She looked at Conner, her eyes full of concern. "You should stop. It's way too spicy."

"I'm fine, really. I'll even have another spoonful when winter rolls around," Conner assured her, looking completely unfazed.

Harry, busy hand-making dumplings, joined in the conversation. "Young Conner here had a tough upbringing. Back when it got cold, we didn't have heating or air conditioning around these parts. He'd shiver from the chill and come here for a bowl of dumplings, starting with a spoonful of spicy sauce just to warm up.

Sometimes, when he was feeling under the weather but didn't want to trouble his mom with medical bills, he'd drop by. He'd eat dumplings with three spoonfuls of hot sauce, sweating and tearing up from the spice, before heading home.

Later on, when Conner got into turf fights, he'd come by for a meal of dumplings with that fiery sauce, no matter if he was bruised or not. It was his way of finding comfort."

As time went on, Conner moved in with the Nettleton family after his mom passed. Whenever he felt down, happy, or just needed a break, he'd come by for his dumpling fix. He eventually found four friends he could trust with his life, experiencing a joy he never knew before, all while enjoying dumplings.

Annie asked, "Am I the first woman Conner's brought here for dumplings?"

"Nope," came the reply.

Annie was taken aback, staring at Conner. "...This isn't how I pictured things going."

Conner had already downed half his dumpling soup. "What plot twist? Sometimes

I bring my crew over. Do you think I'd eat while they just watch?"

"Oh, so you've got female subordinates too?" Annie realized too late that her words were tinged with jealousy.

Conner chuckled, "Of course. If one of my female subordinates hadn't become a mom, she'd still be by my side."

Annie muttered, "...Boring," and continued with her meal.

Soon enough, folks finishing work started dropping by for dumplings. Harry got up to cook more, keeping himself busy.

As expected, by the time Conner finished his dumplings, he was sweating. Annie quickly grabbed a napkin, handing it to him. "Slow down with the spicy stuff. How can your stomach handle it?"

Conner wiped his sweat and then his mouth with another napkin. "I'm used to it. Especially in winter when it snows, people line up here just to get a taste."

As Annie wrapped up her meal, Conner went to pay. Harry waved him off, refusing to take his money "Conner, it wasn't for you looking out for my stall, I wouldn't be able to set up shop here. One meal gra lifetime's worth of dumplings, it's on me." noveldrama

With a sly grin, Conner signaled his driver. The driver gently restrained Harry, and just when Annie thought things might take a turn, Conner cheekily slipped the money into Harry's cash box, mixing it around with his hand before flashing a thumphant smile.

The driver released Harry, "Sorry, Harry. The boss insisted."

Annie chuckled, finding Conner's antics both charming and amusing. It was like a playful kidnapping, but undeniably sweet.

As they headed out, Conner told the driver to go on ahead, choosing to stroll with Annie along the quiet path.

The area, once fraught with chaos, was now calm and bustling with life. Small businesses thrived, taverns welcomed guests, and food stalls lined the streets, some even setting up night markets.

Since Conner rose to power, the

area hadn't seen violence or bloodshed. Annie knew this was what set Conner apart from the Nettleton family. While the

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Nettletons saw human life as expendable, Conner, once deemed insignificant, used his strength to shield the vulnerable.