Before he could say anything else, the phone just hung up. Drew frowned at his phone, wondering what it meant.
About 10 minutes later, the doorbell started to buzz.
Cody went to open the door. He almost shut the door as he saw that it was Linford and Alfred standing outside.
“Hello, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Chance,” Cody managed to force out a smile.
Alfred smiled as he handed the boy a limited-edition toy, “Good to see you again, Cody. Here’s Mr. Bradley’s gift for you.”
Cody didn’t want to accept it. But the toy gun happened to be something he’d always wanted. So he swallowed, “Thank you. Please come in.”
Alfred only smiled.
Linford wanted to pinch his chubby face again when he saw that look on the boy’s face.
“Mr. Bradley,” Micky and Donny stood up from the couch simultaneously as they saw Linford.
Linford had a serious face, but he still managed to put on a faint smile, “Don’t mind me. You guys just have fun.”
“What took you so long, Mr. Bradley? Have you been busy?” Drew teased, but Linford chose to ignore him.
At this moment, Drew suddenly felt suspicious about the phone call.
Had Linford called him because he wanted to come here with him?
Has Linford been shy?
No way!
Drew gasped at his discovery.
“Mr. Bradley, this is a lovely apartment. And it suits Cristelle and the kids fine. You’re such a caring person,” Fritzi smiled. Linford didn’t even bother to lift his gaze, “This is just an employee bonus. Everyone will get the best treatment if they work hard for the company.”
Linford was such an intimidating leader. Micky and Donny were both a bit scared around him, but Fritzi and Drew seemed like they were at ease with him.
Linford noticed how nervous Micky and Donny were around him, so he went to the balcony alone. But the balcony was too small. He thus sauntered toward the small kitchen.
Cristelle was busy with the meal, and her long hair was pulled into a messy bun. She was chopping veggies. The way she did that was so proficient and beautiful. Linford couldn’t take his eyes away.
From this angle, Linford felt like a husband watching his wife cook for him. He remembered Cristelle used to be a spoiled rich girl. Where did she learn all this?
“What are you doing here?” A sharp little voice sounded behind his back. Linford turned around.
Cody was holding the coffee pot, staring at him with those wide angry eyes.
“Oh… I’m thirsty. I’m trying to find something to drink,” Linford found a perfect excuse, answering Cody’s sharp question calmly.
Cody tipped his little chin up, “I’ve poured you a cup of coffee, sir. Why don’t you go sit with other guys? Don’t you think the kitchen is a bit crowded?”
Why did this brat treat him like he was some sort of perv? Linford didn’t have a clue.
“Mr. Bradley, come over here and take a seat,” Drew yelled from the other side of the room.
Linford thus left the kitchen reluctantly.
“Mr. Bradley, what did you do to the boy? Why does he look like he hates you?”
Even Fritzi had noticed that.
Linford only shrugged, “How would I know?” Saying that he subconsciously carried Candace onto his lap. Candace seemed startled for a second. But soon, she calmed down, playing a game with Linford in his arms.
That man managed to get Candace’s attention again! Cody was so pissed off as he said sharply. “Candace, come over here.”
Candace loved her brother. She always did what he asked her to do. Hearing that, the girl wiggled, trying to pull away from Linford.
Linford’s face fell.
However, at this moment, Cristelle suddenly started to serve dishes, “Guys, the meal is ready. Come over and take a seat,” Cristelle raised her voice as she pulled out the chairs.
Linford thus carried Candace toward the table.
Drew looked at Linford’s smug face and then Cody’s angry little face, falling silent.
They looked so much like each other.
Drew thought he should do a paternity test for them. But he wouldn’t let Linford know. Instead, he would do that secretly.
****
“It’s time for the meal!” Cristelle put Cody on his chair and turned around to carry her daughter, “Mr. Bradley, let me take care of Candace. She’s a bit shy.”
Linford was reluctant to let the girl go, “It’s okay. I can feed her. You just sit down and have some rest.”
Cristelle got a bit awkward after hearing him say that. Drew laughed, “Just let Mr. Bradley take care of Candace. Candace clearly likes him.”
Cristelle was also happy if Candace could get along with more people. So she only nodded.
“Sheesh… Cristelle, you’re an amazing cook,” Fritzi couldn’t stop eating.
“The fish, though… It would be best if you opened your own restaurant,” Donny also complimented.
Drew also agreed, “Really, Cristelle. The food is amazing.”
Cristelle smiled, “You guys are flattering me. My skills are a bit rusty. Cody is actually the chef of the house.”
“Cody can cook?” Fritzi’s eyes widened.
Cody winked at Fritzi, “I’ll make you something to eat the next time you come to visit, ma’am.”
Fritzi was beaming, “Sure. That’s a deal.”
Linford also enjoyed Cristelle’s dishes. They all tasted homely. Linford seldom ate anything like this.
Thinking about what Donny just said, Cristelle suddenly thought opening her own restaurant after handing in her resignation was actually a great idea.
Cristelle poked at the meat on her plate half-mindedly. She looked up and engaged with Linford’s intense gaze.
Cristelle went a bit panicked as if Linford had seen what she was thinking. She looked away unnaturally.
Candace sat on Linford’s lap, chewing slowly when Linford fed her small chicken pieces.
Cristelle felt a bit sad as she looked at her daughter. Candace and Cody were both so small, but they didn’t even know who their father was. What if they started to get attached to Linford if they spent too much time with this man?
“Candace, come here to Mommy. Just let Mr. Bradley enjoy his meal,” Cristelle stretched her arms at her daughter, smiling at Linford, “Just leave her to me, Mr. Bradley. You should really enjoy your meal.”