“What trouble? I’m sending Alfred right now.” Linford didn’t want to show up in front of her too frequently. Her boy seemed to hate his guts.
Besides, there was nothing between them anyway. He helped her this time because he saw money in the plan.
Or he wouldn’t have gotten into her business.
“No, you need to show up, okay? I’m telling you right now, Linford. If you don’t show up, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Actually…”
****
Ten minutes later, Linford showed up in Cristelle’s neighborhood. He saw a couple of bodyguards and an old woman pushing Cristelle and the babies from a distance.
Cody was biting one of the bodyguard’s arms. Candace was crying her lungs out.
No one seemed to notice the commotion or offer any help.
“You little bastard! How dare you record what I said? I’m gonna teach you a lesson!” Mrs. Barnett screeched as she pulled Cody’s arm, “You fatherless lowborn!”
Cristelle managed to push the old woman away. “Don’t touch my son!”
“Mom! Be careful!” Cody screamed as the bodyguard went to snatch Candace.
Cristelle took a step back, snapping her eyes closed to take the blow.
But the bodyguard’s band never fell on her face. When she opened her eyes, Linford was blocking her away from the attacker, grabbing that bodyguard’s wrist with his hand,” Don’t. You. Ever. Touch. Her!”
With that, Linford threw the tower-like man over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing.
Other bodyguards went dumbfounded. Mrs. Barnett screamed, “Who are you? This is none of your business! Get out of here!”
“Who am I?” Linford laughed coldly, “I’m someone who you’re gonna regret messing with.”
He circled his wrist and knocked all the bodyguards down one by one. Mrs. Barnett ended up being the only one standing, “Who the heck are you? Did Cristelle offer to sleep with you if you protected her? This whore! I knew it!”
Linford glared at the old woman in rage as he approached her threateningly.
“It’s Bradley! Linford Bradley!” One of the bodyguards suddenly recognized Linford, yelling as he propped himself up.
“What? Linford Bradley?” Mrs. Barnett went petrified as if she was hit by a bolt of lightning, “Ho-How?”
She’d been living in this city for a while. She’d heard a lot about this man. But she’d never see his face.
If this man was a Bradley, then she and her family were completely doomed.
Shit!
Shit!
Shit!
What had she done?!
“M-Mr. Bradley, it was just a mistake.” Mrs. Barnett tried to explain, “It was only a mistake.”
“Fuck off!” Linford bellowed as he glared at the old woman.
Mrs. Barnett didn’t dare to say anything anymore as she jumped in her car, driving away as if she was chased by a ghost. Candace was still crying because those people had scared her so much.
“It’s okay, Candace. The bad guys are gone. Don’t be scared, honey,” Cristelle hushed her baby, her eyes reddening.
Cody’s head lowered. He blamed himself for not being able to protect his mom and sister.
“Thank you,” the little boy said to Linford gloomily before he limped toward his sister, “Don’t cry, Candace. The bad guys are gone. We’re safe now. Let’s go home.”
Cristelle tried to contain the sourness in her throat as she forced out a smile, “Mr. Bradley, thank you so much. We wouldn’t know what to do if you didn’t show up.”
Linford narrowed his eyes as he regarded the petite woman before him. This woman had given him two babies.
The three people standing before him were his only family in this world.
Linford tried to contain his emotion as he held Candace in his arms, “Don’t cry, Candace. You’re safe now.” Cristelle explained, “Sir, Candace is still a bit scared. Could you…”
However, Candace rested her head against Linford’s chest. Her tears also stopped falling as she stared at the man who was holding her lovingly. She looked curious.
Cody frowned. He should’ve taught Candace that not every good-looking man was a good guy.
Cody extended his arms toward Cristelle, “Mommy, carry me!”
Cristelle lowered her body, trying to carry her son. But Linford landed a huge hand on Cody’s head, “Walk by yourself if you’re a real man.”
Cody’s face crumbled, “I am a real man! Mommy, you don’t need to carry me!” Saying that the little boy limped toward the apartment.
Cristelle scooped the boy up from behind, “You’re a real man, but you’re also my baby.”
She sneaked that man a glance as she carried her baby to the apartment. Why did Mr. Bradley always tease Cody?
Cristelle felt she owed her babies for some reason, especially Cody. She’d been giving too much attention to Candace. But Cody seldom asked her to carry him.
He must feel hurt right now, and it broke Cristelle’s heart.
Cody rolled his eyes at Linford.
Linford was holding his little girl in his arms right now, deciding to teach that impolite boy a lesson sooner or later.
“Geez!! Mr. Bradley. Are you guys alright?” Drew only arrived now, “I’m so sorry. The traffic is a mess. I can’t make it on time.”
Cody smiled, “It’s okay, Doc.”
Cristelle also said, “Thank you guys for coming here today. Please go upstairs. I’ll make you guys a cup of coffee.”
“Cristelle, come with me,” Linford suddenly said, “The babies have been hurt. We need to take care of their wounds.”
“That’s right. We should go with Mr. Bradley. I have something to tell you later,” Drew added, “Besides, those bastards will probably come back. You should go with him.”
What he sounded did make sense. Cristelle nodded and carried Cody into Linford’s car.
Linford gave his daughter to Cristelle, sat before the steering wheel, and drove toward his mansion. Drew also followed in his car, frowning to himself.
He really didn’t know how to tell Cristelle the truth later.
****
Cristelle got out of the car when they finally arrived at Linford’s house. Linford took Candace in his arms the minute the car stopped as if he didn’t want anyone else to carry the little girl.
Cristelle suddenly had a bad feeling. Cody grabbed his mom’s hand, frowning at the big mansion before him.
What’s so good about having money?