Linford felt a bit lost as the little girl jumped off his lap, “Okay.”
“Look at them. Don’t they look like a family of four?” Fritzi pointed at Linford, Cristelle, and the kids.
Cristelle went red instantly. Before she could say anything, her son suddenly raised his little voice, “Fritzi, it’s not funny. We’re not like him!”
Alfred suddenly wanted to laugh.
Linford was a bit pissed off as he huffed, “Nope, we’re nothing like each other.”
****
Cristelle prepared some fruit after the meal. It started to get late after they finished the food. Fritzi thus decided to leave, bringing Micky and Donny with her.
Candace was exhausted after playing all day. She fell asleep in Drew’s arms.
Drew looked happy. “Candace seemed more outgoing than before. You don’t need to go to the hospital all the time, Cristelle. I think it works even better when I come here to visit.”
“That will be so nice, Doc,” Cody said instantly.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Weston,” Cristelle hastily commented.
“You’re welcome. I’m only doing my job. Here, take the little girl back to her room,” Drew left the little girl to Cristelle, pulling a hair from her braid secretly.
“Cody, remember to play with your little sister more at home. Can you do this?” Drew crouched down and mussed with Cody’s soft hair.
Cody nodded, “Don’t worry, Doc. I’ve got this.”
Drew also took one hair from Cody when the boy wasn’t paying attention.
“Doc, what are you doing?” Cody looked up, and his gaze was cold and alert.
Drew flinched, “No-nothing…”
“Okay,” Cody arched an eyebrow suspiciously.
Drew hid the hair in his pocket, letting out a long breath. This boy was so freaking intimidating. He must have got it from his father.
“What’s wrong?” Linford patted his shoulder.
Drew shuddered, “No-nothing… Don’t you think the boy is adorable?”
“Cute? Him?” Linford looked incredulous, “Are you serious?”
Drew could only smile awkwardly.
“You must be exhausted lately. Just take a couple of days off. You can go back to work when you feel better,” Linford told Cristelle when she came out of Candace’s room.
Cristelle thought for a pause, deciding to tell Linford the truth. Before she could say anything. Linford suddenly cut her off, “Well… It’s getting late. I really should go back. See you at the company.”
He didn’t even give her any chance to bring up her resignation.
Cristelle watched as Linford walked out of her apartment.
Cody noticed the worried look on his mommy’s face, “Mommy, just relax. Things will be fine.”
Cristelle looked down, smiling ruefully at her son.
****
Meanwhile, Drew found a random excuse to share Linford’s ride, “Mr. Bradley, my car is broken. Can you give me a lift?”
Linford cast him a glance expressionlessly. “No problem. Just hop in.”
Drew sat in the backseat with Linford, waiting for a chance to get his hair.
This was as difficult as plucking a tiger’s whiskers. However, he must have been meticulous when he did that.
“Why are you looking at me that way?” Linford arched an eyebrow suspiciously.
“Nothing… You’re thinking too much,” Drew looked away instantly.
Linford shrugged and reclined in his seat, closing his eyes to get some rest.
The car was gonna arrive at the hospital quite soon. Drew was getting more and more anxious.
When the driver pulled out, Drew pretended to fall on his side and plucked Linford’s hair swiftly.
Linford’s eyes snapped open, an angry look on his face, “What the heck are you doing, Drew?”
“I didn’t do anything,” Drew pulled the door open, “Really, it’s nothing. Anyway, I’ve got to go. I still have jobs to do.”
With that, he disappeared as fast as he could.
Linford only laughed coldly, “Don’t do anything useless, Drew.”
Drew couldn’t stop sweating. Did that monster detect something suspicious?
He wanted to stop and explain, but the car had been driven away.
Drew thus hurried in the direction of the hospital.
****
Three days later, Barnett’s house.
Pamela was having afternoon tea with Mrs. Barnett. Mrs. Barnett invited a couple of rich ladies too. The Barnett House was indeed among the big families in the city. But they were still far from being the most outstanding ones.
Mrs. Barnett always wanted to build more connections with the most popular ones to help with her son’s career.
She’s a veteran when it comes to social climbing.
Inside the splendid garden, ladies from the rich houses were laughing and talking. They were all clad in luxury brands and jewelry.
“The coffee is nice,” Sandy, the oldest daughter of the Wayne house, commented.
Mrs. Barnett smiled, “I’m glad you like it. Miss Wayne.”
“I bet Clara likes it even more,” Sandy shot Clara a strange look.
Clara would clearly like it because this was Linford’s favorite.
Clara put down her cup, smiling, “Everyone has their favorite taste. Sandy, you should learn to stop assuming things.”
Pamela hurried to be a part of the conversation, “You guys like the beans? I still have two bottles of beans left. I can give them to you if you like, Clara.”
Clara was the hostess of the biggest house in the city. No one was richer than her. What Pamela was trying to do was oblivious. She was trying to suck on Clara. But Clara was not an idiot.
She only smiled, “It’s okay. I also have plenty in my house.”
Sandy only wanted to laugh. This Pamela was too stupid. How come she didn’t have any sense at all?
Mrs. Barnett was embarrassed by her daughter-in-law. What Pamela did was pretty cheap. Every lady sitting here was filthy rich.
Why did she feel she needed to give anyone anything? This was only the first day, but Pamela already showed her ignorance to everyone.
“Your house is beautiful. I like the view here,” Clara changed the topic. So people would be less awkward.
Mrs. Barnett hurried, “My son picked the location. Everything in the garden has been renovated. Guess, that’s why they look alright.”
Other people also started to praise the garden after they heard Clara’s opinion.